Breathing problems after Fluralaner (Bravecto) in dogs

1,400 reports to the FDA describe breathing problems in dogs given Fluralaner. That is 2.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.7% across reports for all dog medicines.

1,400Reports

83%Marked serious

29%Recovered

23%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

399 42%

1–2 days

209 22%

3–7 days

88 9.4%

1–4 weeks

77 8.2%

Over a month

167 18%

How the animals did

Recovered

372 27%

Recovered with lasting effects

36 2.6%

Still unwell when reported

506 36%

Died

158 11%

Euthanised

162 12%

Not known

166 12%

Problems reported at the same time

488 35%

394 28%

385 28%

318 23%

297 21%

241 17%

237 17%

228 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

312

4–7 years

407

8–11 years

392

12+ years

204

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 breathing problems in dogs?: 1,400 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 1 day 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

Breathing problems after Afoxolaner (NexGard) 2,006 reports · 3.5% of its reports
Breathing problems after Sarolaner (Simparica) 467 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Breathing problems after Lotilaner (Credelio) 242 reports · 2.4% of its reports
Breathing problems after Afoxolaner + Moxidectin + Pyrantel (NexGard PLUS) 175 reports · 1.9% of its reports
Breathing problems after Lotilaner + Moxidectin + Praziquantel + Pyrantel (Credelio Quattro) 59 reports · 1.9% of its reports

All reported side effects of Fluralaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with breathing problems