Birth defect after Fluralaner (Bravecto) in dogs

27 reports to the FDA describe birth defect in dogs given Fluralaner. That is 0.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

27Reports
96%Marked serious
37%Recovered
48%Died or euthanised
60 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
1 7.1%
1–2 days
0 0.0%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
2 14%
Over a month
11 79%

How the animals did

Recovered
5 19%
Recovered with lasting effects
5 19%
Still unwell when reported
1 3.7%
Died
9 33%
Euthanised
4 15%
Not known
3 11%

Problems reported at the same time

10 37%
Cleft palate
4 15%
Perinatal mortality
2 7.4%
Dystocia
2 7.4%
2 7.4%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
12
1–3 years
5
4–7 years
3
8–11 years
0
12+ years
0

About this medicine

Fluralaner kills fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks (chewable or spot-on).

Products with this ingredient include Bravecto. 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 cause birth defect in dogs?
27 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 60 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).

All reported side effects of Fluralaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with birth defect