Safe For Seizure Prone Dog
Cathy D.
I recently acquired a 6 year old rescue German Shepherd. She is on Atopica for anal furunculosis and weighs 27kg. Her vaccinations had lapsed so they were given . She had one seizure a few days after the first vacc, which we did not connect, but she had 3 seizures within 24 hours after the second vacc. Previous owner thought she had some seizures but did not connect them with anything. I am about to flea treat her for the first time and was going to use Stronghold which I use for my other GSD, but the leaflet said it can cause seizures so did not want to risk that. I do not know what has been used on her in the past, so was going to use Frontline, then someone mentioned Bravecta. It is just routine treatment, we don’t have a particular flea or tick problem. What would you suggest as the safest course of action for her please. Thank you.
Dr. John Cousins BVSc MRCVS
- VioVet Staff
It is not possible to predict with certainty when another fit might occur but it is true that some medications might well make another fit more likely. I would recommend Frontline Spot-on for your dog. The active ingredient is virtually not absorbed into the body at all, it just sits on the surface of the skin and coat. It is also very non-toxic to dogs anyway. I think that Frontline would be your safest option rather than a systemic product like Bravecto or Stronghold.
Bravecto For Cats Medium Cats
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I used bravecto plus on my cat two days ago. Now he’s dead. I took my cat to the vet two days ago for ear mites. They gave me bravecto to put on him. I noticed lethargy and drooling soon after. I took him in to the vets office. They said that I would have to leave him over night. A few hours later I got a call saying that he had kidney failure. He had to be put down.
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Read the leaflet and twisted the top as instructed. Cat sat lovely and still as I attempted to apply the liquid…..but nothing happened. Tried again…still nothing out of the tube. Same thing a third and fourth time. Perhaps it’s me I thought, maybe it’s actually all out so I tenderly cut the corner of the tube to check and discovered it was still all in there. Decided to gently pour it onto my cat but she decided she’d had enough of being good and moved. Next thing the stuff went everywhere…..and now it’s everywhere but the cat and what a …
Our healthy 11 year old 4 kg cat experienced prolonged adverse reactions to Bravecto spot on solution for medium cats.
The Different Types Of Flea Treatment Product Administration: Pros And Cons Compared
When choosing the best type of flea treatment for your cats, you also need to know the different methods of product administration available to choose the most suitable for your cat. There are three main administration methods:
- Oral flea treatments are in tablet form, which can be easily administered to your cat by simply mixing in its food.
- Topical flea treatment is often considered the most effective as it instantly attacks all fleas on the animal. It involves rubbing the product all over your cats skin and fur.
- Collar flea treatment involves using a specialized cats collar around your cats neck, which releases low concentration flea repellent chemicals.
Here are the pros and cons for each type:
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How To Check A Cat For Fleas
Signs of fleas in cats include scratching, skin irritation, and the presence of dark red or black specks on your cat’s skin, fur, bedding, or furniture. These specks, about the size of grains of black pepper, are called “flea dirt” and are flea feces . Back when I worked in the veterinary hospital, I learned a handy trick to help find out if those little specks are regular dirt or flea dirt. Scoop some onto a damp paper towel. If the paper towel turns red, it’s flea dirt.
To check your cat for fleas or flea dirt, run a flea comb through your cat’s coat or part the hair with your fingers to examine the skin. If you find any live or dead fleas or flea dirt, your cat has a flea infestation.
This Product Shouldnt Be Available To Use
Since moving from a unit where I didnt need to use flea or tick prevention medication to a house & allowing my two cats outdoors during the day, my vet recommended Bravecto . Both cats were squinting & ran away to hide after application.I used another pipette 10 weeks later.One cat was fine. The other developed a small scab that took a very long time to heal & drop off. It eventually fell off or was knocked off to reveal raw skin that soon spread to size of a 50c piece. Then another lesion appeared & the surrounding fur began to fall out.I…
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Does Bravecto Cause Itching In Dogs
Dogs may itch after Bravecto is administered for a couple of reasons. First, if your dog has fleas, your dog may itch more because of them. Second, in a U.S. field study1 including 321 dogs, 0.9% of dogs given topical Bravecto experienced moist dermatitis/rash, which could lead to increased itching.
Will Never Use Bravecto Products Again
We have been using Bravecto plus on our cats for a year now. We never had any issues until recently. One of our cats has endured severe hair loss. Our other cat has became feverish, lethargic and is unable to walk properly. She went from a happy, adventurous and playful 20 months old cat which now struggles to even walk to her food bowl. We applied this treatment 2 weeks ago and our cat has not gotten better. After 2 trips to the vet, and hundreds of dollars spent, they couldn’t tell us anything and refused to make any claims about the treatmen…
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Flea Life Cycle Here Are The Facts
Did you know that the average flea life cycle is as long as 8 to 9 weeks?
TIP: The most common type of parasite found on cats and dogs are fleas and they can cause serious illnesses which can sometimes become life-threatening. The lifecycle of fleas is actually much longer than most people realize and can last up to 3 months. This means that monthly flea treatments often may leave gaps during which your pet is not protected. Re-infestation then occurs in your home and your yard which can frustrate many pet owners. Perhaps then it makes sense to invest in the use of a pet flea and tick remedy that lasts for 12 weeks or 3 months?
Only about 5% of adult fleas live on your pet and the rest live in the immediate environment that you and your pet live in. You will find adult fleas in your home and in the yard and they can lay hundreds of eggs every week. This is Stage 1 of the flea life cycle.
Stage 2 starts twelve days after the eggs have been laid. The flea eggs hatch as larvae and they soon crawl into safe areas like between your floorboards, into the fibres of your carpets, the spaces underneath your furniture and into your yard and the soil in your garden. Often these flea larvae are not effectively treated by many of the monthly flea remedies that are available in the market today.
How To Apply Bravecto Topical For Cats:
Step 1: removing the tube from the product pouch, and holding the tube firmly upright you twist the cap of the tube off until you hear the seal breaking.
Step 2: your cat should be in a standing position or lying down with a straight, horizontal back position is also fine. While parting the fur of your cat you place tube tip up against the skin at the base of the neck or skull.
Step 3: gently squeeze the solution from the tube onto the skin and try to prevent any run-off if possible. Sometimes any excess solution can be applied to a second spot between the shoulder blades of you kitty.
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What Happens If A Cat Licks Bravecto
In field studies, nearly all cats administered topical Bravecto for cats by mouth exhibited signs of hypersalivation . A couple exhibited limited coughing, and one cat vomited a couple times about 2 hours after application. No other significant side effects were seen. Most topical flea/tick preventatives have a very bitter taste, and the drooling is often secondary to this.
As stated earlier in the article, follow the application instructions closely, applying the product at the back of the neck in front of the shoulder blades where a kitty is unable to reach that area to lick. Housemate cats and dogs should be separated after application of the product until it is dry.
In any situations where licking or ingestion of the product is suspected, make sure to contact your veterinarian, ASPCA Animal Poison Control or the Pet Poison Helpline . A fee does apply, but your vet will often need the toxicologist’s advice to help develop a treatment plan for your cat.
Can A Flea Collar Harm Your Cat
The safety of flea and tick collars has been in the news lately, specifically the bestselling Seresto flea and tick collar, which was developed by Bayer and is now sold by Elanco Animal Health. On March 2, 2021, USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting published a report maintaining that the Seresto collar has been linked to thousands of adverse incidents, including pet deaths and incidents of harm to humans.
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a legal petition in April urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to cancel the registration of the Seresto flea and tick collar. A week later, the American Veterinary Medical Association published an article addressing the controversy surrounding the Seresto collar. According to the AVMA, Seresto’s “manufacturer has defended the collars as safe and effective, and veterinary experts say they have seen no cause for alarm.”
Additionally, Elanco published a statement on its website calling the media coverage “misleading” and stating that the company stands by the product. “All data and scientific evaluation used during the product registration process and through Elanco’s robust pharmacovigilance review supports the product’s safety profile and efficacy,” the statement reads.
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Why You Should Trust Me
As Wirecutters pets writer, Ive covered everything from essential oil myths to how to get rid of fleas. Im also a lifelong pet owner and a shelter volunteer with over a decade of experience whos dealt with her share of pets with fleas, ticks, and other pests.
For this guide, I spoke with six professionals, from veterinarians to pesticide experts, about how to select the best flea and tick treatment for your pet. I spoke with Jennifer Gervais, a pesticide specialist at the National Pesticide Information Center, and Ken Labbe, a spokesperson for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about pesticide regulation. I consulted Dr. Douglas Kratt, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, about how to select the appropriate medication for your pet. I asked Dr. Tierra Price, a spay-neuter surgeon and founder of the BlackDVM Network, and Dr. Jennifer Welser, chief medical officer at , about their favorite flea and tick medications. And I discussed product safety with Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Verified Reviews: Users Experience
One user said, great product, no hair loss with this about our overall top pick, Bravecto Topical Solutions for Cats. Most users complain about likely hair loss with other monthly topical products, but to the extent of our research, Bravecto does not cause hair loss upon application.
Another user of our best topical product, Revolution plus, said, My cat had no negative reaction he would go outside in the grass and have no ticks or fleas!
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How Does Bravecto For Cats Work
After applying Bravecto for Cats, the medication quickly reaches tissue fluids under your cat’s skin. When fleas and ticks feed on your cat, they ingest Bravecto for Cats and die. Bravecto for Cats kills fleas, prevents flea infestations and kills black-legged ticks for 12 weeks. Bravecto for Cats also treats and controls American dog ticks for 8 weeks.
Is Bravecto Bad For Cats
Fluralaner has not been found to have a higher or more concerning degree of side effects in cats compared to other flea/tick products in field trials.
Fluralaner is considered very selective for insect neurons over mammalian neurons in the way that it works. While uncommon neurologic side effects have been reported with this drug class, these were not seen widely in the field studies and likely occur only in a very small single digit percentage of otherwise healthy cats. It should be avoided however in any cat with a prior history of neurologic abnormalities like seizures.
In terms of other side effects seen in the field studies like vomiting, diarrhea, and itching, it is important to note that side effect percentages were very similar to the control group which did not receive any doses of the drug at all.
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Bravecto Dosage For Oral Chews:
Miniature dogs : 4.4-9.9 lbs : one chew tablet of 112.5 mg
Small dogs : 9.9 22.0 lbs : one chew tablet of 250 mg
Medium dogs : 22.0 44.0 lbs : one chew tablet of 500 mg
Large dogs : 44.0 88.0 lbs : one chew tablet of 1000 mg
Extra large dogs : 88.0 123.0 lbs : one chew tablet of 1400 mg
Dogs over 123.0 lbs : the appropriate combination of chews must be calculated
Bravecto Story & Background
Bravecto launched onto the scene in 2014 as a novel parasite treatment and preventative chew. Fleas and ticks are the primary targets of Bravecto, though there has been a study showing that Bravecto was also effective against demodectic mange in dogs.
In 2016, Merck Animal Health released a topical formulation of Bravecto for fussy pups. The trademarked TwistnUse applicator means less hassle when applying to a wiggly pup. Topical Bravecto is also resistant to multiple baths or swimming episodes between doses, providing effective prevention for the whole 12 weeks.
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Best Topical: Bravecto Topical Solution For Cats
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Only need to apply once every three months
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Scientifically-backed ingredient
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Protects from more than just fleas
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It’s easy to forget after three months to reapply
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Higher initial cost due to how long it lasts
Similar to Revolution Plus, Bravecto is a spot-on treatment that is applied to the back of your cats neck. It protects from fleas and ticks and one treatment lasts for up to three months. A Bravecto Plus option is also available if you would like heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention too , but it only lasts for two months instead of three. Either way, Bravecto products make it easy to provide safe and effective flea prevention to cats without the monthly application. This product also requires veterinary approval prior to purchasing.
Pet Owners From The Us
The pet owners from the US have recorded a positive response to the use of Bravecto topical coupons and solutions on their cats.
They usually purchase this drug from certified veterinarian institutions like the 1-800-PetMeds and Allivet. These institutions sell certified and tested products so you have nothing to worry about.
The solution is said to have a long-lasting effect on its ability to eliminate fleas and ticks from the fur of cats. The active ingredient in the solution works wonders for killing almost all fleas and ticks from the body within 2 hours of its application.
The best advantage reported by cat owners on this solution is its lasting and effectiveness for over 3 months.
In the US, the pet owners barely reported the appearance of any side effects post-application. You are supposed to massage the neck of the cat with the solution and eventually spread it across the fur for maximum benefit.
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Only Works For The First 6 Weeks
Although it claims to work for 8 weeks, it actually works for only the first 6 weeks. We don’t know whether we should reapply every 6 weeks or 8 weeks. If we follow the instruction and reapply it every 8 weeks, then what to do for the rest 2 weeks? It is not effective in this period. We saw ticks crawling on the cat and once even on us.
Contact Us About The 12
Contact us for more information about Bravecto for your hospital.
Well answer any questions, and help you start prescribing Bravecto for the dogs and cats in your care.
For technical assistance or to report a suspected adverse drug reaction, contact Merck Animal Health at 1-800-224-5318.
This site is intended for veterinary professionals. Vist our website for pet parents.
*BRAVECTO kills fleas and prevents flea infestation. Bravecto Chew and Bravecto Topical for Dogs kills ticks for 12 weeks and also kills lone star ticks for 8 weeks. Bravecto Topical for Cats kills ticks for 12 weeks and American dog ticks for 8 weeks.
References:
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What Is The Most Important Thing I Should Know About Bravecto For Cats
Bravecto for Cats contains the active ingredient Fluralaner. It is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations of cat fleas , and the treatment and control of tick infestations of black-legged ticks for 12 weeks in cats and kittens 6 months of age and older, and weighing 2.6 pounds or greater. Bravecto for Cats is also indicated for the treatment and control of American dog tick infestations for 8 weeks in cats and kittens 6 months of age and older and weighing 2.6 pounds or more. Bravecto for Cats requires a prescription from your veterinarian. Bravecto for Cats is available in three strengths for use in cats . Each tube is packaged individually in a pouch. Bravecto for Cats has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks duration in kittens less than 6 months of age. Bravecto is not effective against Dermacentor variabilis ticks beyond 8 weeks after dosing. The safety of Bravecto has not been established in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats.