Not so long ago, a new drug for fleas and ticks “Bravecto” appeared on the Russian market. Reviews of dog owners that appeared almost immediately turned out to be rather controversial. Some praised the miracle cure, while others called it poison. So, let's try to figure out what kind of drug this is, and in more detail we will analyze the evidence of those who have already managed to give it to their pet.
General information
The drug is manufactured by Intervet. “Bravecto” (reviews confirm this) is available in the form of a chewable tablet of brown (from light to dark shades) color of a round shape with a rough or smooth surface, inclusions may be present. The drug is available in 5 different dosages, depending on the weight of the dog.
One cardboard package contains one tablet, placed in an aluminum blister, and instructions for use.
"Bravecto" must be stored closed away from food and animal feed, in a place protected from sunlight at a temperature of 0 - 30 degrees Celsius. The shelf life of the drug is 2 years from the date of manufacture.
Composition
As already noted, "Bravecto" (reviews of the drug will be presented below) is available in 5 dosages, where fluralaner acts as the main active ingredient. In one tablet it, depending on the weight of the dog, is contained (in mg):
In addition, the composition includes the following auxiliary elements:
- sucrose;
- flavoring Super Premium in Powder for Dog;
- sodium lauryl sulfate;
- magnesium stearate;
- disodium pamoate monohydrate;
- aspartame;
- soybean oil;
- glycerol;
- corn starch.
Instructions for use
Now let's talk about how to take Bravecto. Instructions, reviews of dog breeders and advice of veterinarians on this issue converge.
The drug is given to dogs before / after meals or during. “Bravecto” has a rather attractive smell and taste for the animal, and usually there are no problems with the dog eating the pill herself. If the animal refused to eat the medicine, the tablet can be put on the root of the tongue - the pet will swallow it reflexively, or give it along with food.
The dosage of the drug is calculated depending on the weight of the animal. So, per kilogram of weight accounts for from 25 to 55 mg of fluralaner. If you take a tablet that is not designed for the weight of your dog, it is forbidden to break it, choosing the right dosage.
The action of one tablet lasts 12 weeks. After this period, if necessary, therapy should be repeated.
Contraindications
Among the main contraindications are the following:
- individual intolerance to the dog of the ingredients that make up the drug;
- the preparation is not intended for animals whose body weight does not reach a minimum of 2.25 kg;
- “Bravecto” is not given to puppies who are not yet 8 months old;
- do not give the drug to dogs that suffer from chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gall bladder.
Side effects
There are a number of side effects of the tablets from ticks for dogs "Bravecto". Reviews of dog breeders suggest that often adverse effects are observed in pets, much more terrible than the manufacturer indicates. Nevertheless, while we list the side effects indicated in the instructions:
- diarrhea;
- vomiting
- increased salivation;
- loss of appetite.
If the dog vomited within two hours after taking the drug, then most likely the body did not take the medicine, that is, it did not receive the promised protection against fleas and ticks. If this happens, do not try to re-feed the animal with the Bravecto tablet. It would be better to choose some other, more suitable drug.
It is allowed to use “Bravecto” together with anthelmintic drugs, anti-collar collars, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.
In case of an overdose in dogs, a depressed state and a decrease in appetite are noted. However, these symptoms should go away on their own.
Manufacturer's Promises
Now let's talk about those advantages that the manufacturer of the Bravecto remedy (tick tablet) focuses on the buyer. Feedback from dog breeders and veterinarians in this regard does not always agree with the opinion of the manufacturer, as can be read below.
So, Intervet reports that the drug acts very quickly:
- after 4 hours, fleas with which the dog is already infected begin to die;
- after 8 hours, 97% of fleas die;
- after 12 hours, 100% fleas die;
- in addition, the medicine is effective for treating flea dermatitis;
- the drug acts on all types of ixodid ticks ;
- 4 hours after taking the pill, 88% of ticks die, and after 12 hours - 99%.
The following advantages of the drug are also highlighted:
- ticks die before the start of feeding;
- blood parasites die regardless of where they are attached to the skin;
- ticks lack immunity to the drug, and it cannot develop over time.
The manufacturer focuses on the speed of the drug - only 12 hours. Other drugs of similar action usually require from 18 to 48 hours.
Bravecto tablets: reviews of veterinarians
When the drug first appeared, many veterinarians began to actively recommend Bravecto, arguing that it was effective. However, gradually, when dog owners began to bring their pets with poisoning and other side effects that occur after taking the drug, experts changed their minds. It turned out that "Bravecto" can seriously harm the health of the dog and even cause death.
As for foreign veterinarians who have known the drug for much longer, most of them opposed its use. The fact is that the research data provided by the manufacturer turned out to be controversial. So, for example, comparing the internal organs of healthy dogs and subjects, the manufacturer paid attention to their weight, and not to the concentration of toxic substances and tissue integrity. In addition, even during the tests, fatalities were recorded, which does not increase confidence in Bravecto. Thus, according to experts, the drug is not yet fully understood, in addition, there is no evidence of how it can affect the body of the animal in the future.
What do dog owners like?
Nevertheless, there are fans of Bravecto tablets. Reviews suggest that the drug really helps protect the pet from fleas, ticks and those diseases that cause these blood parasites. Many dog owners say that their animals tolerated the drug completely normal, there were no side effects and complications.
Among the advantages, convenience is noted - “Bravecto” does not need to be applied to the skin as drops or put on and make sure that the animal does not accidentally lose it, like a collar.
"Bravecto" with demodicosis: reviews
The question of whether "Bravecto" helps with demodicosis arises because the instructions for the drug did not initially state that it was intended to treat this disease. However, gradually the veterinarians began to prescribe it, and it turned out that the drug was effective and against this ailment.
Thus, it has proved itself very well against the “Bravecto” demodicosis. Feedback from dog breeders in this regard is mostly positive. So, it is noted that all the symptoms of the disease disappeared in the dog 4 days after taking the pill. And there are practically no reviews that the drug could not cope with demodicosis.
Negative reviews
There are many negative opinions regarding the "Bravecto" from ticks. Reviews, in particular, indicate the ineffectiveness of the drug against the fight with just ticks. There are cases when the parasite digs into the skin of the dog and manages to infect it. This is due to the fact that the drug begins to act only after the insect has already sunk into the skin, so the infection can penetrate the blood before Bravecto kills the parasite. With fleas, such problems do not arise, since they are not carriers of serious diseases.
However, this is not the worst thing that the owners talk about. There have been cases of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract after taking the drug, for example, acute gastritis, pancreatitis, reflux esophagitis. Some dogs had problems with the gallbladder and liver.
Dog owners write that pets started vomiting after taking "Bravecto", mucus and blood appeared in the urine. Especially a lot of negative reviews can be heard from owners of dogs of small breeds and puppies. There were times when the animal was vomiting and diarrhea, and even the veterinarians could not stop them, because so far there is no antidote that would completely neutralize the effect of the drug.
It can be concluded that “Bravecto” has a completely different effect on the body of dogs. However, you should not give the drug if your pet is weakened or has any problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, there may be adverse reactions in completely healthy dogs, which should also not be forgotten.