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
I used Bravecto cat on one of my cats. Within an hour of putting in on him, he was vomiting and went face first into the floor. I grabbed the Dawn dish soap and washed it off him. Luckily he was ok. Will never use any Bravecto product!!!
My 10 year old Irish Setter, Shamrock, was given Bravecto on the evening of February 5th, this year 2020. On the morning of February 6th he threw up a clear liquid with no mucus or food. It happened a few times during the day. I was concerned but not alarmed and waited to see if it got better. On the 7th, he was spitting up less but he was lethargic and I could tell he wasn’t himself. That night I fed him chicken and white rice, thinking it might be an upset stomach. On the 8th he was very sick. It was Saturday and the vet was unavailable for the weekend. There are no veterinarian emergency services in the area, the closest one being Fort Wayne, a three hour drive on a good day but it was snowing and icy. First thing Monday morning, the 10th, I brought him to my vet. Vet has gave Shamrock anti-nausea meds and he is home now and has gotten worse. He had taken Bravecto before and hadn’t had any issues. A couple years ago he developed a cough that lasted a week that, in retrospect, may have been associated with Bravecto as well. Shamrock is not doing well, muscle weakness, unresponsive, drooling and very lethargic.
Please detox NOW using Milk Thistle if you are unable to get Shamrock to a vet. There’s a facebook page Does Bravecto Kill Dogs with useful information to help save your fur baby from this poison!
I have given my dog Bravetco and with in a day He’s scratching pitching chewing. Himself raw in some spots. This lasted for at least a week. And thinking back it also happened the first time I gave it to him. Some spots was so bad. He was bleeding. Constantly rolling on his back to itch. Whining and crying Now I know why.
In Dec of 2015 my brother (a vet) got Bravecto for his dog and my three. Second dose was given in mid March 2016. My Golden broke out in severe skin rash with pustules and incurred a hefty vet bill which Merck paid. My older Irish Setter who had an immune depressed condition and was on life long treatment died with a large tumor filling her entire abdomen 30 days after the second dose. She had been well controlled and stable until Bravecto and my brother was never warned about possible side effects in cases like hers. It may have been something else, but i doubt it. I am a groomer, I also know of 3 other incidents, 2 of which ended with death from Bravecto use, one with seizures and one with kidney failure.
Our one year German Shepherd had a total of two doses of Bravecto 90 days apart. He has seen a total of two different Veterinarians and has had multiple appointments with each. We were concerned and sought out a new veterinarian for a 2nd opinion about what exactly was going on. The first Dr. was the prescribing Veterinarian for the Bravecto. During this time the following is a list of all the medications and treatments he was prescribed:
1. Two separate rounds of Antibiotics for skin infections as a result of systemic incessant itching he’s experiencing that’s led to scratching, chewing, licking and then open skin sores/lesions and scabbing in various stages all over his body.
2. One round of Antibiotics for an anal and GI infection as a result of horrible urgent diarrhea that’s also caused incessant anal licking and painful anal inflammation.
3. Two separate rounds of Apoquel.
4. One round of Zyrtec in between the two rounds of Apoquel.
5. One CytoPoint Injection.
6. Trazadone for anxiety, restlessness, nervous pacing, incessant itching and subsequent scratching, chewing and licking of skin and anus, inability to get settled and nap during the day, inability to sleep longer then a few hours at a time at night.
7. Two different types of topically applied prescription medications for skin issues that came in mousse dispensers.
8. Anti-Diarrhea Medication.
9. Probiotics.
10. We’ve submitted a stool sample for analysis per the Dr.’s request although he already had one done with the first Dr.
11. We’ve been advised by the Dr. that it would be helpful to also get a DNA Bloodtest done at the Vet which tests for a specific gene mutation related to medication sensitivities, or to order a DNA Test Kit online that runs a full panel on our dogs genetics. The panel is apparently more comprehensive, but would also test whether our dog has a gene mutation that would make him more susceptible to side effects and problems with certain medications..
He’s also increased his water intake and has been gulping down a ton of water like he’s dying of thirst, but no testing or treatment has been provided or suggested to date. He’s also been losing a lot of fur and shedding has increased during this time and his coat which was previously healthy and soft has roughened throughout. His eyes look watery at times, and are no longer bright as they should be in a 1 year old German Shepherd. He looks worn down which we assume is due to the stress and overall cumulative effect of the medical issues he’s experienced over an extended duration at such a young age. He was fully house trained prior to this, had 0 indoor potty accidents and could last comfortably for approximately 10 hours at night. He now requires urgent potty calls every couple hours 24×7 as a result of diarrhea and I assume the increase in water intake and anxiety in general because of all of this. He’s had several accidents in the house as well while we were at home with him in a two hour time span due to urgent diarrhea and increased water intake/urine output.
Gave my dog Bravecto on February 7 in the morning, and by the evening he was vomiting and had diarrhea. The Bravecto was the only new thing introduced. Our vet told us it was safe and did not communicate any side effects and convinced us to switch from the flea and tick collar we had been using for years. Nothing in the box disclosed potential side effects. We bought two doses and will not be giving our dog the second.
Please add me. I have used Bravecto for my dog.
please add me
Yes, Add me please!
Last Saturday January January 25th, 2020 went in for routine check up as I adopted a 1.5 year old Spinone Italiano. I live in Paso Robles Ca. Asked for Bravecto to treat fleas and ticks, by the evening, he started to itch his skin turned pink and his eyes red. Then his skin started to burst with blisters and oozing blood. Took him to the Vet and it was clearly a reaction to Bravecto. He stayed in the hospital for 1.5 days, went home with many medications. Have contacted Merke who is dodging the responsibility my case number 2020-US 01370 over 2k dogs have died from this medication and some 8500 reported side effects.. I feel stupid I did not know read this nor informed.
I need an attorney, Merke won’t even pay the Vet bill. what about me ? I am a senior have not slept in a week, dog miserable have to take him out every hour… I want these folks to pay for this I am only asking for a Vet bill, I am not even sure my dog will recover or his hair will grow back.