Bravicto is a veterinary medication designed to treat sarcoptic mange in dogs as well as flea allergy dermatitis and demodex in cats.
Bravecto contains fluralaner as its active ingredient, which works by stopping the normal flow of chloride ions into nerve cells containing neurotransmitters that relay signals between neurons (neurotransmitters). This reduces tick, flea and mite populations that transmit diseases to animals.
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What is Bravecto?
Bravecto is an oral chewable tablet and topical treatment to keep dogs free of fleas, ticks, mites (including scabies) and mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var canis mite. Additionally it treats and controls any signs of sarcoptic mange caused by this mite.
Bravecto contains fluralaner, an active ingredient belonging to a new class of flea and tick preventatives called isoxazolines that when consumed by fleas and ticks over-excite their nervous systems resulting in paralysis and death of these pests within hours after being administered the medication.
Sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes mite can be quickly and effectively treated using one dose of bravecto. This powerful medication can effectively relieve symptoms in just days.
Some pets may experience mild itching or scratching after receiving chew or spot-on treatments, however this should fade within 24 to 48 hours; sensitive-skinned canines may take more time. Severe itching may indicate the need for different antiparasitic medication.
Dosage and Administration
Your veterinarian will determine how many doses of bravecto are needed to effectively treat your pet’s mange. They may also suggest other “off label” treatments (not approved by the FDA) for treating demodectic or sarcoptic mange in dogs or sarcoptic mites in cats.
Fluralaner in BRAVECTO kills ticks, fleas and mites by restricting their access to chloride particles that enter nerve cells – thus disrupting normal transmission between nerve cells and causing the nervous system to overwork itself – thus paralyzing any parasites present.
BRAVECTO can kill lice and fleas within 12 to 48 hours and 8 hours respectively, even when they’re resting. Furthermore, its efficacy in treating the Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis mite has been demonstrated, which causes sarcoptic mange in dogs of all ages and both sexes. BRAVECTO comes as both chewable tablet or topical spot-on treatment and is easy to administer thanks to a patented Twist & Use applicator patented applicator.
Side Effects
Most pets do not experience side effects from treating mange other than itching; however, some may develop food allergies leading to itchy skin. A veterinarian can identify food allergies by restricting a pet to a bland diet for some period and slowly reintroducing ingredients over time.
Flea and tick medications should generally be safe when administered according to their label instructions, but if your dog experiences side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy following dosing with chewable medicine it’s important to contact a vet immediately.
Fluralaner, an isoxazoline class of drugs, works to kill fleas and ticks by targeting their nerve endings; it also targets mites responsible for both types of mange. An on-site clinical study in European field conditions demonstrated its efficacy against naturally infested client-owned dogs; skin scrapings showed all sarcoptic mites had been eliminated within four weeks after treatment with fluralaner oral dose.
Storage
Store chewable tablets and spot-on at room temperature and away from direct sunlight or any heat sources; prolonged exposure could reduce its efficacy.
As this medication isn’t FDA-approved for treating sarcoptic mange, your veterinarian may occasionally recommend it “off-label”, meaning they feel it would be safe and beneficial for your pup in this capacity.
Bravecto is an ectoparasiticide, meaning it breaks the lifecycle of fleas and mites on your pet by targeting their skin, fur, or ears to kill adult fleas that live there – which decreases itching significantly while controlling environmental flea populations. According to one study, fluralaner found in Bravecto successfully eliminated Demodex mites and Amblyomma americanum ticks (lone star ticks) within eight weeks; no cases of resistance have been recorded.
