Bravecto: Product Spotlight

Bravecto: Oral Flea and Tick Control

In 2014, the Merck Co. released this novel product for flea and tick control in dogs and cats.  This is a product that is unlike any other and provides long-lasting protection against these annoying parasites. 

Bravecto for dogs is a pork-flavored, chewable tablet.  Providing 3 months of protection for fleas, as well as 3 months of protection for most tick species that we encounter in our area; Bravecto is the only pill that can claim such results.  The American Brown Dog Tick and the Black legged Tick (Ixodes/ Deer tick) are both controlled under this 12 week duration.  The Lone Star Tick, which is present in low numbers in Ohio, is only controlled at effective levels for 8 weeks. That being said, 8 weeks is a long duration of protection for ticks.  At this time, the Lone Star tick is not a major species in Ohio.

Bravecto for Cats is a topical product, similar to Frontline Plus or Revolution.  It is applied to the skin and will also last for 12 weeks, just like the product for dogs.

There has yet to be a flea and tick product that eliminates the biting of the flea or tick.  All products that are currently on the market do not offer a rapid enough kill to prevent these parasites from biting.  The good news is that a tick needs to be attached for 24 hours or longer in order to transmit disease.  Bravecto kills fleas within 2 hours and ticks within 4 hours.  As you can see, this is fast enough to prevent disease transmission.

This product truly fills a much needed niche within the flea and tick control market of products.   There has never been an oral tick control product, nor has there been a product that lasts for 3 months for flea control.  That has changed with the release of Bravecto!  

As with everything, there are side effects that have been reported.  These include vomiting and diarrhea.  One advantage to Bravecto is the product support that is offered by Merck.  If you give your dog this treat and he vomits within 3 hours, Merck will replace the tablet free of charge.  If the vomiting occurs after three hours, the product has already been absorbed and is guaranteed to be effective.

Written by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink