Merck Animal Health has been hit with a class action lawsuit by consumers who claim that their dog and cat drug Bravecto contains a pesticide that is harmful to pets.
Bravecto tablets and topical medications are used on both cats and dogs, and are marketed as a way to prevent ticks and fleas for up to three months.
Plaintiff Valerie Palmieri says she paid just under $50 for one Bravecto chewable tablet to treat her 78 pound German Shepherd Jake for fleas and ticks.
After taking the pill, Jake started to vomit, did not eat, and began to show symptoms of lethargy, according to the Bravecto class action lawsuit. The plaintiff reportedly took Jake to the emergency animal clinic after the dog was no longer able to walk.
Palmieri claims that she contacted Merck to talk about Jake’s possible adverse reaction to taking the drug. The company allegedly denied that that Jake’s sickness was caused by Bravecto but offered to pay for the emergency room visit.
However, the company would only pay if she signed an agreement which would release any claims against the company, according to the Bravecto class action lawsuit.
The plaintiff states that she refused to release her claims as she wasn’t sure if Jake’s symptoms would be long-term and was still not sure if her dog’s symptoms were caused by the drug.
After more tests and a trip to a neurologist, the plaintiff’s veterinarian allegedly told her that he “presumed” that Jake’s diagnosis of meningitis was a result of “Bravecto toxicity,” which was contrary to what she was told by the defendant.
Since he ingested the drug, Jake has continued to have neurological episodes, according to the Bravecto class action lawsuit. In September of this year, he reportedly fell down a flight of stairs and broke his leg. The plaintiff claims that she has spent “tens of thousands of dollars” treating Jake after he ingested Bravecto.
Palmieri says that when she purchased the tablet, the packaging and materials enclosed therein did not state that neurological adverse reactions were possible when taking the pill. In addition, the defendant allegedly did not tell veterinarians about the possible safety issues that the drug posed to pets.
“Because Defendant failed to disclose the risks of Bravecto to consumers and misrepresented the safety of Bravecto, consumers would be reasonable in purchasing Bravecto to treat their pets in a safe manner,” the class action lawsuit notes.
The Bravecto class action lawsuit also states that in September 2018, the FDA issued an alert about the possible neurological events that are associated with medicines like Bravecto to treat fleas and ticks.
The FDA has subsequently asked manufacturers to change their labels to “highlight neurological events because these events were seen consistently across the isoxazoline class of products” and “to provide veterinarians and pet owners with the information they need to make treatment decisions for each pet on an individual basis,” according to the Bravecto class action lawsuit.
The plaintiff states that the defendant now discloses that there may be some neurological reactions to taking Bravecto, including tremors, ataxia, and seizures.
“Every consumer who purchased Bravecto without being informed of the true facts about its health and safety risks prior to purchase was injured at the point of sale when, instead of obtaining a safe flea and tick medication, they obtained Defendant’s unreasonably dangerous and defective product,” the Bravecto class action lawsuit states.
Did you purchase Bravecto for your pet? Leave a message in the comments section below.
The plaintiff is represented by Mark A. Dicello, Adam J. Levitt, and Amy E. Keller of DiCello Levitt and Gutzler LLC and Jessica J. Sleater and Ralph N. Sianni of Andersen Sleater Sianni LLC.
The Bravecto Class Action Lawsuit is Valerie Palmieri v. Intervet Inc., et. al, Case No. 2:19-cv-22024, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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1,807 thoughts onBravecto Class Action Says Meds Aren’t Safe For Pets
Yes, my dog has been prescribed this drug.
She has taken it twice. She’s due again soon.
Should I discontinue it.
I gave my Rory Bravecto in 2016 maybe late August he died 7th September 2016 didn’t have a clue what killed him until I saw the reports on this drug his whole body just broke down in a very short space of time he went downhill at around 22.05 I rushed him to the vet there was nothing we could do he died at 22.55 it was that quick the vet said it was possible a brain aneurysm all I know was that I lost my beautiful boy and am only now thinking it was this drug
I wasn’t aware of issues with Bravecto until seeing this. I switched my 3 small dogs to this about a year and a half ago. I never put it together that my Yorki started uncontrollably licking the air nonstop could be related to the medicine. I researched reasons and most stated anxiety/stress or compulsive behaviors which is something he never had any issues with before. He now is all relaxed and cuddling with us and continuously licks the air..
My 2 year old beagle
Began showing signs after her second dose
She began limping in her front paw was treating her for that when she began to have severe tremors and dcould not walk
Saw neurologist and was diagnosed with immune mediated encephalitis
Was treated with steroids
This was reported to Merc. Nothing done
After my husbands Seizure Response Dog was given this product through the vet she suffered a seizures..He relies heavily on her for his safety..When she is unable to do her job it puts my husband at risk..We believe that this is a very dangerous drug…
My dog Bella began having seizures two weeks after her first dose of Bravecto
I HAD a toy poodle. Gave her Bravecto. She vomited..would not eat. Acted funny. Didnt want to cuddle. Would look at me as if she didnt know me. Each month same symptoms. I finally took the off of it.
Did anyone have a nonCancer type growth problem ? Our little Beagle keeps getting a Growth that has to be removed every year
This pill is the absolute worst thing in the world and they should brrrr sued for everything there worth.. id never give this poison to any pets of mine ever again we had a 3 year battle with the side effects with our Sheppard and crazy vet bills. We had to put him down 5 months ago
My very, very healthy Lab took Bravecto and was dead 4 weeks later. That is what killed him.