Hair loss after Fluralaner + Moxidectin (Bravecto Plus) in cats

896 reports to the FDA describe hair loss in cats given Fluralaner + Moxidectin. That is 28% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

896Reports
34%Marked serious
11%Recovered
1.1%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
143 25%
1–2 days
210 36%
3–7 days
113 20%
1–4 weeks
49 8.5%
Over a month
63 11%

How the animals did

Recovered
99 11%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 0.2%
Still unwell when reported
735 82%
Died
4 0.4%
Euthanised
6 0.7%
Not known
50 5.6%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
18
1–3 years
257
4–7 years
258
8–11 years
205
12+ years
121

About this medicine

Fluralaner kills fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks (chewable or spot-on). Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly topical, or a 6- or 12-month injection for dogs).

Products with this combination include Bravecto Plus. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

In 2018 the FDA alerted owners and vets that isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic reactions such as muscle tremors, wobbliness (ataxia) and seizures, including in animals with no history of them.

Questions owners ask

Can Fluralaner + Moxidectin cause hair loss in cats?
896 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 2 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Hair loss with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Fluralaner + Moxidectin in cats · Medicines most reported with hair loss