Ensuring your beloved dog or cat is protected from fleas and ticks is a crucial aspect of their overall health and well-being. Parasites like fleas and ticks not only cause discomfort and skin irritation but can also transmit serious diseases. Merck Animal Health offers a range of BRAVECTO® products designed to provide long-lasting and effective protection. This article will delve into the different BRAVECTO® formulations available for dogs and cats, highlighting their unique benefits and usage guidelines.
Understanding BRAVECTO® Formulations
Merck Animal Health provides various BRAVECTO® products, each tailored to specific needs and durations of protection. It’s important to choose the right product for your pet to ensure optimal defense against fleas and ticks.
BRAVECTO® QUANTUM for Dogs
BRAVECTO® QUANTUM is a long-acting option for flea and tick control in dogs. It is designed to kill adult fleas, prevent flea infestations, and treat and control ticks, including black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, and brown dog ticks, for a full 12 months. Additionally, BRAVECTO® QUANTUM effectively kills lone star ticks for up to 8 months.
BRAVECTO® Chews for Dogs
BRAVECTO® Chews offer a convenient oral administration for flea and tick prevention in dogs. These chews kill fleas, prevent flea infestations, and eliminate ticks such as black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and Asian longhorned ticks for 12 weeks. For lone star ticks, BRAVECTO® Chews provide protection for 8 weeks. It is important to note that BRAVECTO® Chews have not been shown to be effective for the full 12-week duration in puppies younger than 6 months.
BRAVECTO® Topical Solution for Dogs
The BRAVECTO® Topical Solution for Dogs provides a similar spectrum of protection to the chews, killing fleas and preventing infestations for 12 weeks, while also killing various tick species within the same timeframe. Like the chews, it targets lone star ticks for 8 weeks and is not recommended for puppies under 6 months for the full 12-week duration.
BRAVECTO® Topical Solution for Cats
Feline companions are not left unprotected. BRAVECTO® Topical Solution for Cats kills fleas, prevents infestations, and targets black-legged ticks and Asian longhorned ticks for 12 weeks. It also effectively combats American dog ticks for 8 weeks. Similar to the dog formulations, this product is not proven to be effective for the entire 12-week period in kittens younger than 6 months.
Important Safety Information and Usage Guidelines
While BRAVECTO® products are generally safe and effective, it’s crucial to be aware of potential side effects and adhere to usage instructions. The most frequently reported adverse reactions across various BRAVECTO® products include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and skin-related issues like pruritus, hair loss, or dermatitis. Neurologic adverse reactions, such as tremors, ataxia, and seizures, have been associated with the isoxazoline class of drugs, to which BRAVECTO® belongs. Therefore, caution is advised when using these products in pets with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders.
It is essential to administer BRAVECTO® products to pets of the appropriate age. For BRAVECTO® Chews for Dogs and BRAVECTO® Topical Solution for Dogs, they are indicated for dogs 6 months of age and older. BRAVECTO® 1-MONTH (fluralaner) Chews are indicated for dogs 8 weeks of age and older. For cats, BRAVECTO® Topical Solution and BRAVECTO® PLUS are indicated for cats 6 months of age and older. Always consult your veterinarian to determine the most suitable BRAVECTO® product for your pet’s specific needs and to discuss any potential concerns regarding their health history.
Conclusion
BRAVECTO® offers a comprehensive and reliable solution for protecting your dogs and cats against the persistent threats of fleas and ticks. With various formulations and durations of action, you can find a BRAVECTO® product that fits seamlessly into your pet care routine. By understanding the available options and adhering to safety guidelines, you can ensure your furry friends remain healthy, comfortable, and protected year-round.
References
- BRAVECTO QUANTUM. Product label. Merck Animal Health; 2025.
- BRAVECTO Chews for Dogs [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ: Merck Animal Health; 2014.
- BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Dogs [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ: Merck Animal Health; 2016.
- BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Cats [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ: Merck Animal Health; 2016.
- BRAVECTO PLUS (fluralaner and moxidectin topical solution) for Cats [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ: Merck Animal Health; 2019.
- BRAVECTO 1-MONTH (fluralaner) Chews [prescribing information]. Millsboro, DE: Intervet, Inc; 2020.
- González J, Fonseca DM, Toledo A. Seasonal dynamics of tick species in the ecotone of parks and recreational areas in Middlesex County (New Jersey, USA). Insects. 2023;14(3):258.
- McClung KL, Sundstrom KD, Lineberry MW, Grant AN, Little SE. Seasonality of Amblymma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) activity and prevalence of infection with tick-borne disease agents in north central Oklahoma. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2023;23(11):561-567.
- Raghavan RK, Koestel ZL, Boorgula G, et al. Unexpected winter questing activity of ticks in the central midwestern United States. PLoS One. 2021;16(11):e0259769.
- All BRAVECTO products contain fluralaner, which is a member of the isoxazoline class. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Neurologic adverse reactions have been reported in cats receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in cats without a history of neurologic disorders. Use with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders.
