Bone and joint disorder after Fluralaner (Bravecto) in dogs

The FDA has received 82 reports of bone and joint disorder in dogs after Fluralaner. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

82Reports
91%Marked serious
17%Recovered
16%Died or euthanised
17 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
3 7.0%
1–2 days
10 23%
3–7 days
1 2.3%
1–4 weeks
12 28%
Over a month
17 40%

How the animals did

Recovered
6 7.3%
Recovered with lasting effects
8 9.8%
Still unwell when reported
45 55%
Died
3 3.7%
Euthanised
10 12%
Not known
10 12%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
8
1–3 years
10
4–7 years
23
8–11 years
32
12+ years
8

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 bone and joint disorder in dogs?
82 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 17 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).

Bone and joint disorder with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Fluralaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with bone and joint disorder