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 Jakeโs possible adverse reaction to taking the drug. The company allegedly denied that that Jakeโs 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 wasnโt sure if Jakeโs symptoms would be long-term and was still not sure if her dogโs symptoms were caused by the drug.
After more tests and a trip to a neurologist, the plaintiffโs veterinarian allegedly told her that he โpresumedโ that Jakeโs diagnosis of meningitis was a result of โBravecto toxicity,โ 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 โtens of thousands of dollarsโ 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.ย ย
โBecause 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,โ 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 โhighlight neurological events because these events were seen consistently across the isoxazoline class of productsโ and โto provide veterinarians and pet owners with the information they need to make treatment decisions for each pet on an individual basis,โ 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.
โEvery 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 Defendantโs unreasonably dangerous and defective product,โ 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
ยฉ2008 โ 2024 Top Class Actionsยฎ 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 Arenโt Safe For Pets
On June 4th 2019 I gave my lab mix terrier 1 dose of Bravecto. Within 1 week she got extremrly sick very weak could barely walk. Ultra sound doctor felt it was a strong possibility it was related to the drug. She was a healthy dog. She passed away Thanks giving morning. Five months 24 days after taking Bravecto. Following the counsel of the ultrasound vet I called Merck. I was given a case # I spoke to specialist McKenzie. I never got a call back. I pray that justice be done on all those responsible for this cruelty.
I gave my Chiweenie pup Bravecto and she got very sick. Throwing up, diarrhea. Took her to the vet and they ran every test. Thereโs not much they could do. She now has permanent colitis and on strict diet. She suffered soo bad and Dr said her digestive system will never be the same. :-(
I have bought and given my bull terrior mix two times Bravecto. Last month was his second one. The other morning he woke up and could barely walk on one of his hind legs. I thought he sprained it somehow in his sleep. it has been two weeks and there are days when its fine and then he starts limping and can barely get into the car some days and now I am truly concerned because like I said I thought it was something he would get over. Making an appointment with the vet
I gave my Pit Bull Bravecto and he is now allergic to different foods and snacks. He became sick after using it but I didnโt put it together fully until later
I gave bravecto to both of my dogs and both start having skin issues out of nowhere. Non of my dogs got skin problems bevore but i never used bravecto either for the both new dogs the vet told me this the best what is on the marked โฆ.hm maybe not realy .it is sad that a companie like that is playing with the lives of our dogs and not telling the truth no more bravecto for my dogs
I gave my young Labradoodle bravecto. She became subdued, lost her appetite. Her veterinarian switched her to simparico, which she tolerates. Is simparico not safe either?
I have been giving this to my Ernest, for the past 4 years with no adverse effects. However, I donโt want to continue putting him at riskโฆ I just purchased a years worth of the medication and wondering what I need to do now?!?! Can I return it and get my money back so I can get something else that isnโt โdeadlyโ?
I do dog rescue, and two dogs that I adopted out to wonderful homes have since suffered stizurescafter being dosed with Bravecto by adopter โ at their vets recommendation. Both dogs survived , thank goodness- and hopefully the vets will think twice before recommending Bravecto to their clients. I have added a warning to my adoption agreement urging adopters to avoid using Bravecto on any pets.
On August 3, 2016, Our two dogs started taking Brevecto. Zoe, our Yorkshire Terrier started having seizures a month after starting this stuff. Our Chihuahua, Isabelle didnโt have the seizures, but both dogs began vomiting and had awful diarrhea. The Brevecto is the only thing that was new in their diet in years. They were both 9 years old and had good health up until then. I canโt prove that Brevecto was responsible for their problems, but I feel that it was. Also, this product was recommended by TWO Veterinarians!
Update: We tried everything possible to save them, but In 2019, both dogs became so ill that they had to be put down. I wish I had never let them have that awful Brevecto.
My dog got very sick after the only dose of bravecto I game him. The vet recommended it and gave it to me. I had no idea of the adverse side effects. He was very sick for a week, I thought he was going to die. After that he started having focal seizures. Heโs had severe cluster seizures ever since requiring 5 different meds multiple emergency vet visits and hospitalization.