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Merck Animal Health Launches New Campaign for BRAVECTO ® (fluralaner) Chews for Dogs

April 3, 2023

New creative campaign highlights the extended benefits of BRAVECTO ® Chews for Dogs

MADISON, N.J., April 3, 2023 – With flea and tick season in full swing, Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, has introduced a new creative campaign reminding dog owners to protect their four-legged family members from fleas and ticks with BRAVECTO ® (fluralaner) Chews for Dogs. The longest-lasting oral flea and tick prevention and treatment is currently available by veterinary prescription, BRAVECTO Chews for Dogs starts killing fleas and ticks within hours 1 , meaning less worry and more convenience for dog owners.

Pet owners are more invested than ever in their pet’s health and happiness 2 , which helped inspire the new “Bravo, BRAVECTO” campaign that launched this month. The new creative from the dog’s perspective highlights the value of the BRAVECTO Chew for Dogs extended 12-week 1 duration, which is nearly three times longer than other oral flea and tick products available on the market today. Featuring elongated dog bones and larger-than-life doghouses, the campaign playfully reflects these favorite dog items also being “nearly three times longer” in size.

“At Merck Animal Health, we are committed to maintaining the unconditional bond between dogs and owners, while providing best-in-class products to protect their pets’ health,” said Elizabeth Fox, director of U.S. Parasiticides. “BRAVECTO Chews for Dogs does just that. It is long-lasting and easy-to-use, thus creating less stress and complication for pet owners by providing up to 12 weeks of protection against fleas and ticks.”

BRAVECTO Chews for Dogs was recently approved by the FDA to be the first and only U.S. product labeled to treat and control Asian longhorned ticks, a new invasive species found in over one-third of the United States 3 . When paired with heartworm disease prevention such as SENTINEL ® SPECTRUM ® Chews (milbemycin oxime, lufenuron, praziquantel), pet owners can also reduce the risk of intestinal parasitic burdens such as roundworm, hookworm, whipworms, and tapeworm.

“With summer just around the corner, and more time spent outdoors and traveling, it is critical to be proactive in preventing fleas and ticks, especially as new tick species emerge,” said Kathryn Duncan, DVM, PhD, DACVM, parasitology field specialist, Merck Animal Health. “We always encourage pet owners to talk with their veterinarian about best practices and recommendations for medications that provide long-lasting, year-round protection.”

To help remind dog owners of the importance of flea and tick medication, the new “Bravo, BRAVECTO” creative can be found on multiple platforms including streaming services like Hulu and Roku and across social channels. The campaign videos star a Silver Labrador Retriever mixed with a standard Poodle, and the dog houses and other pet supplies featured on set were donated to benefit the Arizona Humane Society. BRAVECTO Chews for Dogs is available in five strengths (112.5, 250, 500, 1000, and 1400 mg fluralaner) per chew. To learn more about BRAVECTO and our innovative flea and tick treatments, visit us.bravecto.com.

About BRAVECTO ®

Since its introduction in 2014, BRAVECTO has provided longer-lasting flea and tick protection, with more than 250 million doses distributed in 85 countries over eight years. BRAVECTO is available in a variety of formulations, including products for both dogs and cats. The flea lifecycle can last as long as 12 weeks, and monthly treatments may leave gaps in protection. Providing pets with continuous flea and tick protection is essential – whether the pet goes outside or not. Contrary to popular belief among pet owners, fleas and ticks are not only active in the spring and summer months and are a year-round risk. Fleas and ticks can easily latch onto dogs and cats and can spread serious diseases. Fleas are the most common external parasite found on pets. BRAVECTO products require a prescription by a licensed veterinarian and are available at veterinarian offices as well as many retailers where pet medications can be found.

Important Safety Information

BRAVECTO (fluralaner) Chews for Dogs: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, anorexia and pruritus. In some cases, adverse events have been reported following use in breeding females.  BRAVECTO Chews has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks’ duration in puppies less than 6 months of age. BRAVECTO Chews is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. Fluralaner is a member of the isoxazoline class.  This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia , and seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders.

About SENTINEL ® SPECTRUM ® Chews

SENTINEL ® SPECTRUM ® Chews are indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis; for the prevention and control of flea populations (Ctenocephalides felis); and for the treatment and control of adult roundworm (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), adult hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum), adult whipworm (Trichuris vulpis), and adult tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum, Taenia pisiformis, Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus) infections in dogs and puppies two pounds of body weight or greater and six weeks of age and older. Available in prescription only.

Important Safety Information

SENTINEL ® SPECTRUM ® CHEWS: Dogs should be tested for heartworm prior to use. Mild hypersensitivity reactions have been noted in some dogs carrying a high number of circulating microfilariae. Treatment with fewer than 6 monthly doses after the last exposure to mosquitoes may not provide complete heartworm prevention. For complete product information refer to the product insert.

BRAVECTO (fluralaner) Chews for Dogs: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, anorexia and pruritus. In some cases, adverse events have been reported following use in breeding females. BRAVECTO Chews has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks’ duration in puppies less than 6 months of age. BRAVECTO Chews is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. Indicated for dogs 6 months of age and older. BRAVECTO 1-MONTH (fluralaner) Chews: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include itching, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, elevated ALT, lethargy, and weight loss. Not effective against lone star ticks in puppies less than 6 months of age. Indicated for dogs 8 weeks of age and older. BRAVECTO (fluralaner topical solution) for Dogs: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and moist dermatitis/rash. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Dogs has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks’ duration in puppies less than 6 months of age. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Dogs is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. For topical use only. Avoid oral ingestion. Indicated for dogs 6 months of age and older. BRAVECTO QUANTUM (fluralaner for extended-release injectable suspension) for Dogs: The most commonly reported adverse reactions in a US field study included lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, elevated liver enzymes and pruritus. BRAVECTO QUANTUM is not effective against lone star ticks beyond 8 months of dosing. Indicated for dogs 6 months of age and older.
 
BRAVECTO (fluralaner topical solution) for Cats: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, itching, diarrhea, hair loss, decreased appetite, lethargy, and scabs/ulcerated lesions. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Cats is not effective against American dog ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Cats has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks’ duration in kittens less than 6 months of age. The safety of BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Cats have not been established in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats. For topical use only. Avoid oral ingestion. Indicated for cats 6 months of age and older. BRAVECTO PLUS (fluralaner and moxidectin topical solution) for Cats: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, hair loss, itching, diarrhea, lethargy, dry skin, elevated ALT, and hypersalivation. BRAVECTO PLUS has not been shown to be effective for 2 months in kittens less than 6 months of age. Use with caution in cats that are heartworm positive. The effectiveness of BRAVECTO PLUS to prevent heartworm disease after bathing or water immersion has not been evaluated. The safety of BRAVECTO PLUS have not been established in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats. Indicated for cats 6 months of age and older.
 
All BRAVECTO products contain fluralaner, which is a member of the isoxazoline class. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Neurologic adverse reactions have been reported in cats receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in cats without a history of neurologic disorders. Use with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders.

About Merck Animal Health

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals ® , Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit 
www.merck-animal-health.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

References

  1. BRAVECTO Chew for Dogs [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ: Merck Animal Health
  2. Health for Animals Global Animal Health Association, “Global State of Pet Care”, 2021
  3. United States Department of Agriculture, “National Haemaphysalis longicornis (Asian longhorned tick) Situation Report,” 2023