Bravecto chewables, mulch, and centipedes!

[Art Robertson]

Has anyone heard anything about Bravecto causing seizures?  I have a 3 year old golden doodle.  She had a complete checkup at the vet about 3 weeks ago and everything was good.  Since then, she had a very mild seizure that lasted about 30 seconds.  I had a cocker spaniel about 15 years ago that had epilepsy so I've had experience with seizures.  Ellie's seizure last week was very mild, she basically just had trouble standing up for a little while and was over it within a minute.  My experience in the past was that they would lose control of bladder and pee during the seizure.  None of this happened with Ellie.  I have also caught her chewing on a piece of red mulch from a flower bed and playing with a huge centipede in the yard.  Just wonder if anyone has experienced anything like this and could some of these external factors have caused the seizure.  I want to wait and see if she has another one before I take her back to the vet.  Seems I read someone that a dog can have one seizure and never have another one.  Thank you for any advice!  Art

[SUSAN WOLFE]

Yes.  I have heard about this.  First, how is your dog doing?  Did it stop?

My dog got very sick shortly after taking Bravecto.  I started a Facebook group called Does Bravecto Kill Dogs so people could come together and explain side effects and we could make sure all side effects are reported to Merck.  We have multiple reports of seizures and other neurological issues.  One woman has a dog that has fainting spells.  She just falls down and quickly gets up.  I urge you to join the group and see what is being said.   One of the dogs in the FDA study for this product, which was only done on 224 dogs, had a seizure. 

There are also numerous reports of horrible GI issues that require veterinarian care - diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and failure to eat - going on for days.  Several deaths have been reported.  While not directly linked they were all dogs that had no symptoms and then ended up with kidney or liver failure.  None of the dogs with seizures have died.  Please come to the group.  Please report this to Merck and the FDA.

[Art Robertson]

Hi Susan,

Thank you for your reply!  Ellie has had no more seizures and has been fine.  I'm glad there is someone that has some experience with this also.  I will report to Merck and the FDA.  I am following you now.  Is that how I join the group?  Bravecto must have some powerful chemicals in it to kill fleas for 3 months.  It was recommended by my vet. and I questioned them about the cost of it when I started using it but got no answers.  Ellie had been on NexGard chewables, (afoxolaner), prior to taking Bravecto and had no issues.  Is there anything that you can recommend for control of fleas?  I have never found a flea on Ellie so the NextGard worked just as well but was administered monthly rather than every three months.  Again, thank you so much for the information.  I have also switched her food to Acana from Taste of the Wild after seeing a recall on it.

Regards,

art

[SUSAN WOLFE]

Hi Art, I am so happy to hear it was just one.  Other dogs have more.  I know it has been just a few days since she took Bravecto.  Keep a close eye on her for any other problems.  When you come to the group, you just have to click on the button to join and I will accept your request.  I would love it if you could post the story yourself and add a picture of Ellie.  She is so beautiful.  I put up a picture of your post here, but I will delete it so you can comment yourself, if you wouldn't mind.  Also, the information for reporting to Merck and the FDA are the group.  Merck has been telling the people that it called that their dogs must have neurological issues, but you can see on the group how many dogs had seizures right after taking it!

[Art Robertson]

Is the "Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy Group" the right group?   Thanks for the compliments on Ellie!  She is quite a doodle!  When she was going through obedience classes when I was living in Leesburg, VA, the trainer often called me to bring her in to use as a model for new classes.  I've had lots of dogs, (Cockers and Schnauzers) that I loved dearly but Ellie is almost human.  I often have to challenge her with difficult tasks to entertain her.  She is also the first I've ever had that I don't have to keep on a leash when we frequently go to an old golf course,(25 acres), here in Tuscaloosa, AL which many now use as a dog park.  She gets along with everyone and is so protective of my 5 month old grandson.  She also loves to watch The Dog Channel on Direct TV!  I'll post more pics when I transfer from my iphone.  Thank again.  I am so glad to meet you!

[SUSAN WOLFE]

No, type in "Does Bravecto Kill Dogs?" in the search line on Facebook.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Art, Susan is talking about a group on Facebook, not a Doodle Kisses group. 

[SUSAN WOLFE]

Thank you.  Sorry for the confusion.  

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

You have gotten good advice.  Just an addition, make sure any mulch you or the gardener use says "no cocoa bark" on the label.  Cocoa bark is cheap and comes from the same trees that chocolate is made from.  It can cause seizures in dogs.  Centipedes are poisonous, and fairly uncommon, millipedes are much more common and safe.  Millipedes have many many feet and look different than centipedes close up.  You can google pictures of them.