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.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
1,807 thoughts onBravecto Class Action Says Meds Aren’t Safe For Pets
I gave my previously healthy dog Bravecto on a vets recommendation, she subsequently died of liver failure with no known cause .
She was always fed non-processed food , never dry biscuits and had a vigorous exercise regime. She was a sturdy ‘campo’ dog and certainly not inbred . Narrows down the risk factors to a power of one
I gave my Chinese crested a chewable bravecto tab prescribed by my vet. After a few hours she seemed to be in terrible pain. Like the worst headache. She would yelp if you moved your hand in front of her face. I took her to vet. They prescribed an antibiotic. After a couple days she seemed to get better. Luckily she only had a mild reaction. It wasn’t until the next day that I thought about the bravecto. And googled it, found other similar and worse stories. I had my vet put a note on her file to never administer this pesticide to my dogs.
I had a perfectly fit Maltese / poodle cross, a tough little girl aged 8. After her first Bravecto she lost consciousness, only for a few seconds but very scary. Not knowing it was a result of Bravecto she had her next dose 3 months later, she immediately went into full blown seizures.. My vet could not understand the cause and treated Penny with meds and detoxed her too. The siezures continued along with uncontrollable tremors of her back legs, nothing helped she got worse and sadly I had to have her euthanized within a year. If she had NOT been given Bravecto I am sure she would still be alive and fit now.
My sweet Cami was on Bravecto and suffered severe seizures over a 6 month period. Her last seizure she suffered brain damage and I had to put her down – one of the worst days of my life. Perfectly healthy little Cairn Terrier up until she was prescribed Bravecto. Breaks my heart that I was the one administering her this poison that my vet prescribed to her. Never again will I EVER give any of my animals this poison!! Her death was reported to the FDA by me.
My Chocolate Labrador was 2.5 yrs old when she went into renal failure and I had to put her down. She was healthy with no issues until I “forced” her to take Bravecto – she refused her second dose and I hid it in some ham. A few weeks later she was gone! Roxy my Golden Retriever also refused to eat it when I gave the second time and I found dead ticks on her eight months after her last dose! I’m in SomersetWest, South Africa
My Bichon, Becky, has been on Bravecto at the recommendation of our vet for over a years. I have not noticed any symptoms but after reading this I wonder if two events that seemed to be a type of seizure were related to the Bravecto. I’ll be checking with the vet for a new medication.
Gave both my dogs (7&9 years old) this drug once in 2015. Within 6 months my youngest one was diagnosed with a rare from of skin lymphoma and he was gone 1 year after taking this drug. I will always wonder if there was an association between Bravecto and his cancer. The old dog does a year later from cancer as well. The vet NEVER warned us.
I gave this drug to my dog Rusty 5 Years old Golden Retrieve recommended to my vet. Soon after that he started to have seizurs, was the most horrible experience in my life. After I found the FACEBOOK group about this medication I knew the reason of that. He passes 2 years ago. My vet called the manufacture and theirs answer was that this is a medication approved by the FDA
We have been using Brevecto on our 24 lb. Beagle for several years. She is now 9 years old and is starting to, on occasion. display tremors. After reading the information about this medication, I intend to contact our Bella’s vet as soon as I am able. Posted 2330 01/17/2020
I lost my Ruby after giving her one dose of Bravecto. Will never forgive myself for giving her this poison. Sad that is continuing to be sold to so many