The Science Behind Protecting Pets Against Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are not only active in the spring and summer months but are a year-round risk for pets. Continuous flea and tick protection is essential, however, monthly treatments may leave gaps in protection, because pet owners frequently overlook the required dose and the flea lifecycle can last as long as 12 weeks.
BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) is the only nose-to-toes flea and tick treatment that provides up to 12 weeks of protection for dogs with one dose. One treatment with BRAVECTO protects almost three times longer than monthly treatments and is proven to kill fleas on dogs and cats and to eliminate them from the home.i
Data From Multiple Countries Supports Product Benefits
Data from veterinarians and pet owners involving hundreds of thousands of dogs in multiple countries underlines the strong efficacy and safety profile of BRAVECTO, and makes a connection between treatment satisfaction, adherence to veterinarians’ treatment recommendations and longer-lasting pet protection.
Seven global real-world studies support the benefits of longer-lasting flea and tick protection. These studies evaluated the positive impact of extended duration flea and tick control in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Spain and South Africa, and measured the increase in adherence to veterinary recommendations that accompanies the extended duration of flea and tick control.
“These studies show that, by using a longer-acting flea and tick product, dog owners are more likely to keep their dogs protected from fleas and ticks for more months of the year, and are more likely to follow their veterinarian’s recommendation of using flea and tick product year-round,” said Robert P. Lavan, DVM, MPVM, DACVPM, Director, Outcomes Research, Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence (CORE) at Merck Animal Health. “Furthermore, when compared to monthly flea and tick products, dog owners preferred BRAVECTO and reported the convenience of less-frequent dosing as a key benefit of extended duration flea and tick control.” The CORE function is unique to Merck Animal Health as it involves a special group of people dedicated to real-world science and evidence focused on animal health and well-being.
In flea and tick control, pet owner adherence to treatment recommendations is critical for medication effectiveness. Studies found that dog owners using longer-lasting BRAVECTO adhered better to veterinarian flea and tick treatment recommendations, providing their dogs with more months of flea and tick protection. A cross-sectional study of 24 veterinary hospitals in the U.S., published in Parasites & Vectors, found that while almost all veterinary hospitals recommended 12 months of flea and tick prevention, only 62 percent of dog owners recalled this recommendation.ii “This study demonstrates that pet owner flea and tick treatment adherence falls short of veterinarians’ recommendations, and we have work to do to help people control these pests,” said Rob Armstrong, DVM, DVSc, Director, Scientific Affairs, Merck Animal Health. “Treatments that protect for a longer period contribute to improved adherence to treatment recommendations. For example, BRAVECTO provides coverage for a year with about four doses vs. 12 doses for monthly products.”
Keeping Pets Safe and Healthy
Fleas and ticks are not just a nuisance, but also pose animal and human health risks, as they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Babesiosis and Bartonellosis. Since its introduction in 2014, BRAVECTO has provided longer-lasting flea and tick protection, with more than 100 million doses distributed in 85 countries and tested in over 170 clinical studies. “We continue to be honored to work with veterinarians to keep pets safe and healthy through the benefits of longer-lasting flea and tick protection,” said Dr. Armstrong. “Veterinarians continue to advance the health and well-being of animals and the people who care for them.”
The full studies are available here:
Please see Prescribing Information for BRAVECTO® at us.bravecto.com.
About BRAVECTO® (fluralaner)
Since its introduction in 2014, BRAVECTO has provided longer-lasting flea and tick protection, with more than 100 million doses distributed in 85 countries over five years. BRAVECTO is available in a variety of formulations, including products for both dogs and cats.
The flea lifecycle can last as long as 12 weeks, and monthly treatments may leave gaps in protection. One treatment with BRAVECTO lasts 12 weeks, protects almost three times longer than monthly treatments and is proven to kill fleas on dogs and cats and to eliminate them from the home.iii
Providing pets with continuous flea and tick protection is essential – whether the pet goes outside or not. Contrary to popular belief among pet parents, fleas and ticks are not only active in the spring and summer months and are a year-round risk.
Fleas and ticks can easily latch onto dogs and cats, and can spread serious diseases, including tapeworms and Lyme disease. They also can bite and pose health risks to human family members whether at home or outdoors. Fleas are the most common external parasite found on pets.
BRAVECTO products are only available through licensed veterinarians. BRAVECTO has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks’ duration in puppies or kittens less than 6 months of age. BRAVECTO Chew: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, polydipsia and flatulence. BRAVECTO is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Dogs: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite and moist dermatitis/rash. BRAVECTO is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. For topical use only. Avoid oral ingestion. Use caution in dogs with a history of seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving fluralaner, even in dogs without a history of seizures. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Cats: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, itching, diarrhea, hair loss, decreased appetite, lethargy and scabs/ulcerated lesions. BRAVECTO is not effective against American dog ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. For topical use only. Avoid oral ingestion. The safety of BRAVECTO has not been established in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats. Use with caution in cats with a history of neurologic abnormalities. Neurologic abnormalities have been reported in cats receiving BRAVECTO, even in cats without a history of neurologic abnormalities.
- iWilliams et al. Fluralaner, a novel isoxazoline, prevents flea (Ctenocephalides felis) reproduction in vitro and in a simulated home environment. Parasites & Vectors (2014) 7:275.
- iiLavan et al. Assessment of dog owner adherence to veterinarians’ flea and tick prevention recommendations in the United States using a cross-sectional survey. Parasites & Vectors (2017) 10:284.
- iiiWilliams et al. Fluralaner, a novel isoxazoline, prevents flea (Ctenocephalides felis) reproduction in vitro and in a simulated home environment. Parasites & Vectors (2014) 7:275.