The drug "Bravecto" is designed to combat ticks and fleas. This tool has recently appeared on our market, so it still causes a lot of controversy. They are mainly associated with the effectiveness of the drug and how harmful it is to the animal. So, let's try to deal with these issues by referring to the instructions and reviews of those who managed to put the tool into practice.
general information
The brand name of the drug is Bravecto (Bravecto).
The instruction indicates that the drug is available in tablets for oral use in 5 different versions, depending on the weight of the dog.
The composition of the drug includes:
- fluralaner, which is the main active substance;
- sucrose;
- flavoring;
- sodium lauryl sulfate;
- aspartame;
- magnesium stearate;
- glycerol;
- polyethylene glycol;
- soybean oil;
- corn starch.
The medicine "Bravecto" (manufacturer - the Austrian company Intervet GesmbH) is available in the form of chewable tablets of brown color, from dark to light shades, slightly rough or smooth shape.
Tablets are packed individually in an aluminum blister and placed in packs of cardboard along with instructions. Store the drug in a dry, dark place away from food at a temperature of 0 ° C - 30 ° C. However, it should not be easily accessible to children and pets. The drug remains valid for 2 years from the date of production.
Pharmacology
“Bravecto” helps well from ticks and fleas due to the active substance fluralaner, which is part of the product. The drug works as follows: it blocks glutamate-dependent and GABA-dependent arthropod receptors, leads to hyper-excitation of neurons, impaired transmission of nerve signals and, as a result, paralysis and death of the parasite.
After getting into the intestines of a dog, the drug is rapidly absorbed and enters the circulatory system. If you give the drug with food, the absorption process will accelerate. The drug reaches the highest concentration in plasma on the first day of use, then the percentage gradually decreases. Nevertheless, the drug remains active and dangerous for fleas and ticks for 85 days, since fluralaner is excreted from the body very slowly, mainly with urine and feces.
After taking the drug, fleas already on the dog die after 8 hours, and ticks after 12. Then another 12 weeks protects the animal from re-infestation (infection by insects) "Bravecto". Demodecosis and pyroplasmosis are the diseases that often infect dogs infected with ticks and fleas. And it is precisely to protect your pet from these diseases that drugs like Bravecto are used.
According to the degree of exposure to the body, the drug is classified as hazard class 4, that is, to low-hazard substances.
Application rules
“Bravecto” (the instruction of which is presented here) is usually prescribed for dogs for the prevention and treatment of aphanipterosis (infection with fleas and ticks), as well as for the prevention of allergic dermatitis caused by fleas and acaroses, which are caused by ticks.
“Bravecto” is given to dogs orally during feeding, or shortly before or after it. The dosage is calculated based on the fact that 25-50 mg of fluralaner should be taken per 1 kg of dog weight. The tablet of the drug has an attractive taste and aroma for the dog, so usually there are no problems with giving it to the animal. If the dog refused to eat the drug, then the tablet should either be given with food or put in the mouth on the root of the tongue so that the animal swallows it.
The only thing you need to remember is that you can’t break the tablet, choosing the right dosage for the pet. You must immediately take the drug for the weight category of your dog. Otherwise, this can lead to either a dose reduction or an overdose, the consequences of which are very serious.
If necessary, the drug should be repeated after 12 weeks.
Perhaps the simultaneous use of "Bravecto" and anthelmintic drugs, insect-acaricidal collars, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Application restriction
Despite the fact that the instructions indicate that the drug can be given to lactating and pregnant dogs, as well as puppies from 2 months, many veterinarians do not advise doing this. "Bravecto" for dogs - reviews testify to this - is not as harmless to animals as it is presented by the manufacturing company. Therefore, you should not give it to dogs, from which soon offspring are expected, or to nursing bitches. It can be even more dangerous for puppies, since their gastrointestinal tract is still unable to digest certain substances by two months. Therefore, the tablet can cause severe poisoning and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Side effects and overdose
Let's talk about which side effects of Bravecto tablets for dogs can cause. Reviews of dog breeders, by the way, greatly expand this list compared to official information from the instructions.
So, among the side effects, the manufacturer notes vomiting, increased salivation, decreased appetite, intestinal weakness, lethargy. As for the reviews of the owners of the dogs themselves, they add to this list various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and poisoning of varying severity.
If the dog has started vomiting after taking the pill, then do not try to feed her the drug again. Perhaps this way you will save her health.
In case of an overdose, an oppressed mood in the animal, a lack of appetite, are noted. The manufacturer promises that these symptoms will resolve themselves.
Contraindications
Among the main contraindications are:
- individual intolerance to animals of the components that make up the drug;
- the drug should not be given to animals whose weight is less than 2.25 kg;
- banned for puppies under eight weeks of age;
- It is not recommended to give “Bravecto” to animals who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, or who have chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
Benefits
“Bravecto” - tablets for fleas and ticks, which have a number of significant advantages, which are often referred to by veterinarians and distributors when recommending the drug. So, we list them:
- the drug begins to act 4 hours after ingestion;
- protects the entire body of the animal, and not its individual parts, such as drops or a collar;
- the manufacturer guarantees protection against ticks and fleas for 12 weeks;
- fleas, if they were already on the dog at the time of taking the drug, die after 8 hours;
- ticks die after 12 hours and fall off themselves, they will not need to be pulled out of the skin of the animal;
- fleas that get onto the dog die, not having time to lay eggs, which prevents the dog from being infected again with parasites;
- in the room where the dog lives, there are no eggs and larvae of fleas and ticks;
- the manufacturer guarantees the death of ticks in 99% of cases, and fleas in 100%;
- ticks do not develop resistance to the drug;
- suitable for all dog breeds;
- the drug is characterized as low hazard for all warm-blooded.
Safety regulations
There are simple rules of personal hygiene that must be observed when working with the drug. So, you should not drink, smoke and eat food while you are giving the drug to the dog. In addition, you must always wash your hands with soap and water after direct contact with the tablet.
If you have hypersensitivity or are allergic to any component of the drug, in no case do not directly contact it, but put on, for example, a medical glove. If you still have an allergic reaction, or if the drug somehow enters the body, immediately seek medical help. Be sure to bring along the instructions from the drug.
Never use Bravecto packaging for domestic purposes. It must be disposed of immediately after use with other household waste.
"Bravecto": reviews of veterinarians
As for veterinarians, they often recommend this particular drug, despite the fact that it is relatively recent in the Russian market. The main argument for the owners is that “Bravecto” really protects the dog from fleas and ticks.
However, not everything is so wonderful with the Bravecto preparation. Reviews of veterinarians also indicate that the tablets can cause various adverse reactions and even serious consequences for the dog's health. So, there are cases of drug poisoning and infection with pyroplasmosis. Although these are isolated cases, nevertheless, you should not forget about them when the veterinarian advises you to use this drug.
Now let's turn to the opinion of the owners of the dogs themselves, who gave their favorites “Bravecto”.
Positive reviews
Quite a lot can be found in eulogies about the Bravecto tablet for dogs. The reviews of the owners indicate that the drug protects the pet well from fleas and ticks and does not cause any side effects. Among the important advantages are safety for families and children. The fact is that the usual drops from ticks and fleas are applied to the dog's neck and do not wash off, since after bathing their effect ceases. Therefore, after each contact with the pet, it is advisable to wash your hands, otherwise you can get poisoned. This is especially dangerous for children. "Bravecto" is taken internally and cannot harm the health of the owners.
Negative reviews
But a lot of negative things are said about the Bravecto tablets for dogs. Reviews on the forums abound with complaints and warnings. The most harmless of them indicate that the drug does not protect against ticks. There are no problems with fleas, but if you go with a dog to nature, where there are many ticks, then there is a high probability of pyroplasmosis (the disease caused by Babesia blood parasites is transmitted through ticks).
But this is not the worst that a dog can expect. Cases of drug poisoning are noted in both large and small dog breeds. It is also possible the occurrence of such diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as gastritis, reflux esophagitis, pancreatitis. In addition, liver and gall bladder problems may begin. And this is not to mention the rather high price of such pills.
Bravecto: price
The price of the drug varies not only depending on the region and pharmacy network, but also on the weight of the dog. The fact is that the package contains one tablet. It is designed for a certain weight. For example, 2-4.5 kg, from 4.5 to 10 kg, from 10 to 20 kg, from 20 to 40 kg and from 40 to 56 kg. Therefore, the larger your pet, the more expensive the Bravecto tablet will cost. The price, therefore, ranges from 1,200 to 1,700 rubles.
Thus, Bravecto has very mixed reviews that do not guarantee the absolute safety of your pet. Many dog breeders have a sharp negative attitude towards Bravecto, calling it "poison", while others consider the drug a "miracle pill." Perhaps this is due to the fact that the drug is not so long ago on the Russian market, and perhaps it all depends on the body of the dog itself. And yet, it’s better to think carefully before giving the drug to your pet.