Stiffness after Fluralaner (Bravecto) in dogs

The FDA has received 233 reports of stiffness in dogs after Fluralaner. That is 0.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

233Reports
91%Marked serious
35%Recovered
13%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
26 21%
1–2 days
30 24%
3–7 days
24 19%
1–4 weeks
18 14%
Over a month
28 22%

How the animals did

Recovered
76 33%
Recovered with lasting effects
5 2.1%
Still unwell when reported
84 36%
Died
11 4.7%
Euthanised
19 8.2%
Not known
38 16%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
13
1–3 years
58
4–7 years
80
8–11 years
50
12+ years
31

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 stiffness in dogs?
233 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 3 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).

Stiffness with similar medicines

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