"Bravecto" for dogs is a special drug to protect your pet from ixodid ticks and fleas, which is developed in the form of tablets that have an appetizing taste and smell. The drug has a wide spectrum of action, providing a protective function for the entire body for a long period of time (about 12 weeks). Only a veterinarian can prescribe the drug after an examination; making an independent decision can lead to various kinds of complications for the animal, since Bravecto has side effects.
"Bravecto" for dogs: instructions for use
Application benefits
The drug, once in the dog’s body, exhibits an active effect within the first two hours. The active substance (fluralaner) actively fights ticks and fleas, as well as accompanying allergic skin reactions. The drug is already divided into weight groups and is suitable for large, medium and small dogs.
The first dose of Bravecto can occur at any time of the year, and as a preventive measure - continuously throughout the year. To protect an animal, one tablet is enough, the effect of which lasts about 3 months, that is, it turns out that four tablets of the drug are needed for a year to completely protect the pet from ectoparasites. There are no problems with taking the drug; the taste is attractive to the pet, which makes it easier to introduce into the body.
The dog does not have to be persuaded to eat the Bravecto tablet
Fleas and ticks are affected by fluralaner within the first 4 hours, about 97-98% are destroyed 8 hours after applying Bravecto. After 12 hours they die completely, leaving no eggs or larvae. As soon as the drug begins to act, ectoparasites lose the ability to attach to the dog’s skin, receive nutrition, and their immune system also fails, so even after a while, ectoparasites will not be able to parasitize on the dog’s body, they will simply die.
What do you need to know? "Bravecto" already has a weight division and dosage, but this does not negate a visit to a veterinarian in order to accurately select the required dose for the animal and eliminate the possibility of side effects.
Fluralaner begins to act by entering the ectoparasite's body through the dog's blood during a bite, thereby killing it
What is Bravecto for dogs?
The Intervet company (Netherlands) has developed an innovative drug that provides protection against 7 types of ticks and 2 types of fleas. Bravecto is intended for dogs and is created taking into account the biological characteristics of these pets. Chewable tablets are available in 5 dosages: 112.5, 250, 500, 1000, 1400 mg. The dose is selected individually depending on the size of the pet. In terms of the degree of impact on the body, the drug is classified as low-hazard and does not have mutagenic, teratogenic or embryotoxic effects.
Compound
Release form: flea and tick tablets for dogs. They come in light and dark brown colors. They have a pleasant smell and taste, so animals eat them with pleasure. The active substance is fluralaner. The drug also includes the following auxiliary components:
- Super Premium in Powder for Dog flavor;
- sucrose;
- sodium lauryl sulfate;
- disodium pamoate monohydrate;
- magnesium stearate;
- aspartame;
- glycerol;
- soybean oil;
- polyethylene glycol;
- corn starch.
Operating principle
Fluralaner blocks glutamate-dependent and GABA-dependent arthropod receptors, overstimulates neurons, disrupts the mechanism of transmission of nerve impulses, which leads to paralysis and death of parasites. Bravecto tablets are given orally, after which they are easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Within 1 day the maximum concentration of the active substance is observed, then for another 85 days an insectoacaricidal amount of fluralaner is present in the plasma. 100% of fleas die within 8 hours after ingestion, 99% of ticks die within 12 hours. Parasites do not develop resistance to the drug.
Advantages and disadvantages
The medicine Bravecto is a product of a leading European manufacturer. The company officially conducted research on more than 100 dogs, and the results were as follows:
- the drug is more effective than drugs based on permethrin, imidacloprid, fipronil;
- Bravecto can be given to puppies and lactating dogs;
- the medicine does not pose a threat to animals with a defect in the MDR-1 gene, brachycephals;
- allowed for puppies from 8 weeks in a five-fold dosage;
- begins to act within 2 hours after administration, protects the animal’s body from fleas and ticks for 12 weeks;
- Well tolerated by all breeds.
Any drug has its downsides, and Bravecto anti-tick tablets for dogs are no exception. Users note that the biggest drawback of the medicine is its high price. If you study real reviews, you can note that the tablet does not help all dogs and does not last as long as the manufacturer claims. After a while, the ticks “travel” through the animal and attach themselves to the skin. Some particularly picky pets do not want to eat Bravecto, so they have to force-feed the drug.
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"Bravecto": harm or benefit?
Known facts about the drug:
- Currently, there is no drug that could relieve allergic reactions and overdose from Bravecto;
- European countries did not take the drug for a long time, and only recently it was registered (licensed). After this, the drug was brought to Russia;
- before entering Russia, only 112 days were involved in the study of the drug;
- the instructions in English did not mention the effect of the drug on ixodid ticks;
- according to reviews from owners, pets experience vomiting reactions, the appearance of blood in the urine, as well as deterioration in health and the development of serious illnesses, including death;
Some dogs are intolerant to this drug.
- the drug acts extensively, accumulating in the body, circulating through the blood, and therefore does not protect the animal from tick bites, such as sprays and drops for external treatment. “Bravecto” acts only after an ectoparasite bite, destroying the immune system and the vital system, therefore it does not protect the dog from infection with very dangerous diseases carried by insects;
- the drug acts on the kidneys, since a small part is excreted in the urine, the rest is excreted in feces;
- there is data on tests of the drug in areas where there are no ticks, so there is no guarantee that side effects will occur after some time;
After taking Bravecto tablets, your dog may experience some side effects of the drug.
- reliable facts indicate the effectiveness of the drug on the territory of the Russian Federation for just 1 month, and Russian veterinarians recommend combining Bravecto with external use;
- Bravecto comes to Russia with a license from the Republic of Kazakhstan, although the instructions indicate production in Austria, while the official representative office of the company is located in the Naro-Fominsk region in Russia.
Bravecto for dogs (taken orally)
The drug has dubious information, and problems have arisen with certification, so Bravecto worries many veterinarians and dog owners.
Advantages and disadvantages of the product
Bravecto has controversial reviews, so you need to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of the medicine. This is due to the fact that the drug had problems with certification. Even clinical studies from MSD Animal Health do not allow dog lovers to fully verify the effectiveness and safety of Bravecto. Therefore, it remains to compare the obvious pros and cons of this product.
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Operating principle
Fluralaner is the main active insectoacaricide that kills ectoparasites that cause severe anxiety to pets and are carriers of many dangerous diseases. Fluralaner blocks the main vital receptors of arthropods, disrupting the functioning of their nervous system and thus destroying them.
"Bravecto" completely destroys ectoparasites that are on the animal's body
The drug is easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), penetrating the circulatory system, is concentrated to the maximum in the blood plasma on the first day and lasts up to twelve weeks. The drug is found in high levels in the liver, excretory organs, muscle and skin tissues. Excretion from the body occurs gradually through animal excrement (about 90%).
After the drug enters the dog’s body, fleas are destroyed within 8 hours before they lay eggs and within 12 hours, ticks that lived on the animal during this period are destroyed. In addition, the medication protects the body from re-infection with ectoparasites.
The tablets should be placed in the dog’s food so that their active substances are easier to digest and absorb.
What do you need to know? It is better to give Bravecto to the dog with food, as this increases the possibility of absorption of the drug.
While taking Bravecto, you should not take similar drugs that have the ability to bind to blood proteins. The drug has a strong effect on the kidneys, so a small amount is excreted through the urine. However, the drug is considered low-hazard (has a fourth hazard class), therefore, following the dosage regimen and dosage, it does not have a toxic or aggravating effect on the dog’s body.
If the dog refuses to take the drug on its own, then you should give the tablet wrapped in a piece of meat.
Efficiency
The effect of the tablets begins 4 hours after administration. After 8-12 hours, almost all fleas die. Effectively fights not only demodicosis, but various dermatitis and other diseases of the skin of dogs. The drug is also actively taken against the following parasites:
- Ixodes hexagonus;
- Ixodes scapularis;
- Rhipicephalus sanguineus;
- Dermacentor variabilis;
- Ixodes holocyclus.
Compared to other anti-tick medications, Brevecto is more effective in that it is able to eliminate ticks faster than others. Also, after taking the drug, the immune system and susceptibility to parasites are strengthened, so re-infection is practically excluded.
Instructions for use and dosage
The drug is fed to the animal during the main meal, in this case the active substance is very actively absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. It is advisable that the time of administration is 12 hours before possible infection.
What do you need to know? Never give your dog a broken tablet, as this may affect the dosage of the drug.
Make sure that the animal swallows the drug completely. It is better to place the tablet directly on the root of the dog’s tongue, then the administration process will be more successful.
Read more about how to give a tablet to a dog on our website.
The dosage of the drug is calculated based on the weight of the dog (25-56 mg per 1 kg), so it is very important to know the body weight of your pet and purchase a drug with the required dose of the active substance. Don't forget to get your veterinarian's advice first.
The drug has different dosages based on the dog’s weight
Table 1. Drug dosage
| Dog weight | Number of tablets | Dose of active substance |
| 2-4.5 kg | 1 | 112.5 mg |
| 4.5-10 kg | 1 | 250 mg |
| 10-20 kg | 1 | 500 mg |
| 20-40 kg | 1 | 1000 mg |
| 40-56 kg | 1 | 1400 mg |
| More than 56 kg | 2 | Selected by a veterinarian |
If necessary, it is possible to repeat the course of treatment after 3 months. You can combine the drug with other medications that do not bind to blood proteins. If the dose and time of administration are violated, the drug loses its effective properties, and the administration process should be resumed according to the schedule in the required dosage.
The required dose is prescribed by a veterinarian after first examining the animal, checking the weight and the presence of chronic diseases. Storage temperature - from 0 to 30 °C. The medication must be protected from sunlight and heat. Do not give to children. Shelf life: 2 years.
You can read below about how to help your dog take the pill.
Teaching a dog to drink pills
Contraindications
It is prohibited to use the drug against demodicosis in animals of certain groups. These groups include:
- Puppies under two months old, as the drug can cause intoxication in them;
- Dogs weighing less than 2 kg are also susceptible to this possibility, since even in a minimal dosage the drug can cause poisoning in them;
- Individual intolerance to the active substances and auxiliary components of the drug.
The drug is not prohibited for use in dogs with genetic characteristics that are contraindicated in traditional treatment. It can also be used to treat demodicosis in puppies during the period of active growth. The peculiarity of use at this age is that within 3 months of the drug’s action, the puppy’s weight can double, which means that the drug will not be effective enough, because its dosage is calculated depending on body weight.
Therefore, when calculating the dosage, it is necessary to take into account the expected weight of the pet after 3 months. But you also need not to exceed the maximum recommended dosage of 56 mg per kg of body weight. This is a rather complex calculation that must be made by a veterinarian, therefore, when carrying out treatment at home, it is better to refuse the drug if the puppy is in the stage of active growth. Otherwise, severe intoxication and even death are possible.
Contraindications and side effects
indicate the presence of the following contraindications:
- the puppy is less than 2 months old;
- dog weight less than 2 kg;
- the presence of individual intolerance;
- the presence of chronic diseases of the digestive system.
14% of dogs reported a lack of appetite after taking the drug
The manufacturer stated information about the absence of identified side effects during the action of the drug, or rather “virtually not observed.” Here is information about possible side effects from reports from veterinarians and dog owners who sought help:
- lack of appetite (14%);
- vomiting reaction (7%);
- change in the condition of the coat, loss (5%);
- apathy, the animal sleeps a lot (5%);
- diarrhea (5%);
- consumption of excessive amounts of water (2%);
- skin irritation, ulcers and scabs (2%).
An animal may experience several side effects at the same time. Side effects are mainly observed in dogs with low weight, since it is more difficult for owners to choose the correct dose of the drug. However, if side effects are present, the drug is well tolerated by most dogs.
Video - Bravecto flea and tick tablets for dogs
Indications and contraindications
When it becomes clear how and how long Bravecto works, you need to think about indications and contraindications. Medicine in the form of tablets or drops on the withers is prescribed for the prevention of flea infestation, inflammatory processes on the skin, as well as dermatitis caused by the vital activity of parasites. It is suitable for treatment of scabies and mite infestations, especially in dogs weighing 20-40 kg. But active insectoacaricides can also harm the animal.
The medicine is prohibited for use in puppies under 60 days of age and dogs weighing up to 2 kg. It is dangerous to give Bravecto to dogs with a diseased gastrointestinal tract or with a tendency to allergies.
Safety precautions when taking the drug
There are several basic rules when taking Bravecto:
- strictly follow the instructions and select the correct dosage based on the pet’s body weight;
- can be prescribed to dogs expecting offspring and during lactation, but only under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Personal safety measures:
- avoid skin contact with the drug if there is an allergic reaction;
- maintaining personal hygiene when handling any medications;
- when using the drug, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited;
- Hand washing with a mild detergent after contact with the product.
When using the drug, you should use medical gloves
It is also mandatory to dispose of the drug packaging after use. Do not give to children and keep packaging out of their reach. If allergic reactions occur upon direct contact with the drug, seek medical help immediately.
Prevention for people
The medicine works well for animals, but can be harmful to people. To prevent this from happening, you must follow a number of rules and safety recommendations specified in the instructions:
- During the process, it is not allowed to eat food or smoke.
- After the procedure, you should wash your hands with antibacterial soap.
- People who are hypersensitive to the components should not come into contact with the drug.
- If an allergy occurs, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.
It is also not allowed to use the medicine for personal purposes, and to keep an empty box of Bravecto. After using the drug, everything unnecessary from it should be thrown into the trash.
Prices
The price of the drug depends on the store and the weight category of the animal. On average, prices for a package of 1 Bravecto tablet in Russia vary within the following limits:
- weight category 2 - 4.5 kg - 1100-1350 rubles;
- weight category 4.5 – 10 kg – 1170-1420 rubles;
- weight category 10 - 20 kg - 1200-1500 rubles;
- weight category 20 - 40 kg - 1350-1650 rubles;
- weight category 40 - 56 kg - 1460-1790 rub.
Prices for one tablet of the drug depend on the weight of the dog
