Does anyone have any experience of Bravecto? It is a combined flea / tick treatment in tablet form which lasts 3 months. I know some will say that it a poison and that it must be strong to last 3 months but does anyone have experience of using it or any other comments, please?  We have a lot of ticks on the New Forest and I don't like the spot-on varieties as they can contaminate the water courses and their efficacy is somewhat diluted by constant swimming.

This came up on a fb group I'm a member of recently. It is quite expensive and my vet doesn't stock it. People that had used it on their dogs gave very positive feedback.

It's not expensive at all here, approx £30 dependant on the size of the dog, but it lasts for three months. So hardly any difference if any when compared to spot on products. They also do a promotion, something like the third or fourth treatment free, which might even make it cheaper than some spot ons!

I used Bravecto on two of my dogs last year, and the dog that walks with mine daily I have got onto it.

I raw feed, don't vaccinate, hate flea/tick treatments but sometimes needs must. When I was putting dogs in my van to hear the owner say 'by the way, they've got fleas, so I'll pop to the vets next week' I had to do something. We also have tons of ticks on Dartmoor, though they are less of a concern.

I was happy with it and if I treated again it would be my first choice.

My lot are on their third pill now. My vet is doing the 4 for 3 promotion but only if you buy them all for the one dog. I have 4 dogs so I just say it's a years supply for one of them :-)

It's not peak tick season yet so I can't say for sure but I've read lots of good reviews so fingers crossed. Certainly I haven't had a single tick since last September when I started using bravecto.

The dogs haven't had any side effects either.

I've used it on my lot for the last 9 months. Previously one of mine in particular was picking up ticks all the time, since starting on the Bravecto I haven't seen a single one.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3975339/

Interesting that those of you who have used it have no concerns but, Brainless, how depressing that all laboratory dogs were euthanised just to see any adverse effects on them. I know it happens but, is it really worth all those innocent dogs' lives just for a flea treatment? I don't find animal experimentation at all ethical, especially for non-life-threatening products. That will give me sleepless nights now.

Sorry :(  but of course some parasites can kill or pass on deadly diseases.

I did wonder now with accurate imaging and scanning that can determine weight and size, whether they were actually euthanized?

Probably were :(

> I did wonder now with accurate imaging and scanning that can determine weight and size, whether they were actually euthanized?

It does actually say that they were sedated and then euthanised.

I too feel for the poor animals, they were 8 weeks old when they joined the trial and pts 6 months or so later. However I struggle with my conscience because I'd much rather an adverse reaction showed up in a lab than someone's much loved family pet. I'm actually grateful that these trials were done, that recommended doses were exceeded and extensive tests done so I know it's safe for my dogs.

I had a dog that had to be put to sleep with arthritis attributed to lymes disease, the longer ticks are attached the higher the risk of them spreading lymes apparently so something that kills them quickly is (for me) essential.

Has anyone who breeds used Bravecto on the breeding bitches, even when they are not actually pregnant or lactating, and then subsequently had a problem-free pregnancy? 

I know it says it is approved for use in pregnant and lactating bitches, but the safety info on the product says:

"The following abnormalities were noted in 7 pups from 2 of the 10 dams in only the treated group during gross necropsy examination: limb deformity (4 pups), enlarged heart (2 pups), enlarged spleen (3 pups), and cleft palate (2 pups). During veterinary examination at Week 7, two pups from the control group had inguinal testicles, and two and four pups from the treated group had inguinal and cryptorchid testicles, respectively. No undescended testicles were observed at the time of necropsy
(days 50 to 71)."

http://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/binaries/Bravecto_PI_8_tcm96-153753.pdf

I don't plan on breeding from the dog for another year, so even if I treated with Bravecto now, should be well out of the dog's system by the point of breeding, I'd have hoped.  Although if it hangs around for 3 months, who's to say how much longer lesser traces of it are there?!  arg.  I really want to use it, it sounds great not to use a spot-on or collar and we are actually taking a trip to the New Forest this weekend (re OP above).

Edited to add:  Those who are experienced breeders, does that incidence of deformities/issues sound more than would be present on average, usually?  I'm guessing yes?

I wouldn't even contemplate using it on breeding bitches after reading that. It can't be worth the risk.  Enjoy the New Forest break . It has been like summer here this week. Tee shirts and crops for dog walking and loads of streams to keep the dogs cool.  If at all possible, try to wash the dogs' feet and tummies after each walk. Still some of the so-called Alabama Rot around though definitely not all in the N.F.

Hi, nope I've put a Scalibor collar on her instead.  I did give the Bravecto to our older spayed female, no ill effects yet, so will be interesting...

Looking forward to the New Forest break.  I'm not sure we'll be able to wash feet and tummies in a hotel(!), I thought it wasn't known how it is contracted?  We are a bit worried about this one, especially as she went skidding on gravel yesterday and now has a few grazes up her legs!

Interesting post my pup who is now nearly 5 months is on Bravecto for fleas and Milbemax for worms I don't like either for him and actually want to switch him off.  I am wondering what is wrong with Advocate I understand this covers both worms and fleas.

It is not known how it is contracted but the vet researching into it advised the washing. What about an ice cream tub containing a wet flannel to use as you leave the walk or in the hotel car park. Add some Hibiscrub if you have any but don't worry because hundreds of dogs are walked on the forest every day with no problems. What area are you staying, just out of interest?  Have a great time.

> what is wrong with Advocate

nothing I know of, though again would not use on pregnant or nursing bitches.

I'd always far rather use an oral medication where one exists and where all else is equal, than give a spot-on or use a collar.  An oral medication affects only the dog taking it, not the environment, people, aquatic life, insects, bees, butterflies and so on. 

I wouldn't treat for fleas unless you see them.  I've seen fleas 3 times in the last 10 years on my dogs, and I just immediately give all of them a Capstar tablet as soon as I see one.  When it comes to fleas, the thought of all the pesticides I'd have been applying every month is staggering, for no reason.  Fleas don't carry zoonotic diseases so there's no risk to humans, and the only thing they can carry for dogs is the flea tapeworm, which should be picked up by your normal wormer anyway.

Advocate doesn't cover ticks, so if you also stop using bravecto, unless you're not going to use a tick preventative, you will end up giving TWO externally appliedpesticide products - Advocate and either a tick collar or yet another spot-on.  Personally, I think that's too many products to be applying...

What your vet has you on sounds ideal, because the Milbemax is covering for lungworm as well as the things other regular oral wormers would, and the Bravecto is covering for ticks - and you are not even needing to give any spot-ons or use any externally applied products at all.  So it sounds ideal to me, although I probably wouldn't give Bravecto in the winter months, and would only use it in the summer if you live in an area with bad ticks.  Fleas wouldn't be a reason to use it.

PS Just to add, Bravecto works by killing the tick once it has attached and can take up to 12hrs to kill it.  So whether it turns out to be as effective at preventing tick-borne diseases as spot-ons and collars, remains to be seen.  That's why I wouldn't use it on the continent and would want a spot-on or Scalibor collar there.