Ectoparasites are organisms that live outside another organism, feeding and developing all their evolutionary cycles at the latter's expense. In animals, they can not only cause skin problems, but also serve as vectors, transmitting systemic diseases that can threaten the life of their host. In dogs and cats, the most common ectoparasites are ticks, fleas, mites and liceThey are usually a headache for the owner, diminishing the animal's quality of life and putting the he alth of everyone who lives with it at risk.
On the market there are many presentations of drugs used to combat ectoparasites and they have become popular over time for obvious reasons. Even when there is controversy between the use or not of some systemic antiparasitics, many of them are highly recommended by veterinarians. In this article on our site we will talk about a product that has had optimal results and that has reached its peak in the market in recent years. His name is Bravecto and here you can get to know him more closely. Read on to find out all about Bravecto for Dogs, its average price, expert opinions and possible side effects.
What is Bravecto for Dogs?
Bravecto is a systemic antiparasitic specifically designed for ectoparasites that has brought very good results in small animal medicine. Its active ingredient is called Fluralaner and its use has been approved by the US and the UK in the year 2014.
In recent years various research works have been carried out and it has been shown that Fluralaner, in addition to achieving the desired effect in many situations and pathologies, has the peculiarity of having very few or no effects adverse in the patient. Just over 1 animal out of 100 studied have shown adverse effects to the product, and the causes are hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or over dosage. This gives the product great prestige in current small animal medicine.
There are two Bravecto presentations for dogs We can find on the market a presentation for topical use (pipettes) and we can also find the presentation for oral use (tablets), which is the most used by veterinarians. This oral presentation is divided into several leaflets depending on the weight of the dog, which is why we have 4 presentations of Bravecto chewable tablets based on this factor:
- Dogs between 2 and 4.5 kg
- Dogs between 4, 5 and 10 kg
- Dogs between 10 and 20 kg
- Dogs between 20 and 40 kg
- Dogs between 40 and 56 kg
Each of these presentations has a different concentration of the active ingredient and we will study them in the next section.
Bravecto for Dogs - Leaflet
Each gram of Bravecto contains 136, 4 mg of the active ingredient Fluralaner Now, what is Bravecto used for in dogs? As we have already pointed out, this antiparasitic product is mainly used to treat and prevent possible infestations of ticks and fleas. In general, the treatment lasts about 12 weeks and almost immediately eliminates adult and juvenile Ixodes ricinus and Ripicephalus sanguineus ticks, Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis fleas, and Demodex canis, Sarcoptes scabei and Otodectes cynotis mites. Thus, Bravecto is also used for dogs with mange caused by any of these mites.
For the active ingredient to have the expected effect, the ectoparasites must cling to the dog and feed. The product begins to take effect on fleas after 8 hours of administration, in the case of ticks it takes 12 hours to act.
On the other hand, it should be noted that this product can also be applied as a complement to the treatment for the control of allergic dermatitis due to flea bites (DAPP). Likewise, it is able to reduce the transmission of Babesia canis in dogs. It also reduces the risk of transmission of Dipylidium caninum from infested fleas to susceptible dogs.
Bravecto for dogs - Dosage
The dose of Bravecto for dogs in the form of a chewable tablet is indicated for various weight ranges depending on the presentation used. It is adjusted from 25 to 56 mg/kg and should be administered as follows:
- In dogs from 2 to 4.5 kg: 112.5 mg
- In dogs from 4, 5 to 10 kg: 250 mg
- In dogs from 10 to 20 kg: 500 mg
- In dogs from 20 to 40 kg: 1000 mg
- In dogs from 40 to 56 kg: 1400 mg
If the dog weighs more than 56 kg, two presentations can be combined that add up to the exact weight of the patient. It is not recommended under any circumstances to exceed the recommended dose. Likewise, it will be the veterinarian who determines the final dose of Bravecto in the dog to be treated.
Bravecto contraindications in dogs
The only one registered is hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to its excipients. However, it is always advisable to follow these recommendations:
- Administration: Breaking tablets is not recommended. You should use the tablet that corresponds to your pet according to its weight. It is appropriate to administer Bravecto to the dog together with food or at times close to it.
- Precautions: Do not administer to puppies under 8 weeks of age or to puppies weighing less than 2 kg. It should not be administered at intervals of less than 8 weeks.
- Administration during pregnancy or lactation: the product can be used in pregnant and lactating bitches.
Bravecto for Dogs - Side Effects
Very few side effects have been reported for the oral presentation of Bravecto for dogs and are associated with diarrhea and vomiting that are generally transitory. In the case of the topical presentation, erythema and dermatitis, also temporary, have been reported, thus increasing confidence in the product.
Where to buy Bravecto for dogs?
Bravecto's oral presentation is distributed practically all over the world. It recently arrived in Latin America and it is known that in the United Kingdom and Spain it is commonly used in veterinary medicine. Some US shopping and shipping companies have it in stock and can deliver it to your doorstep. However, it is always advisable to buy this type of product at your own veterinary clinic to obtain specialist advice or in specialized stores.
Bravecto price for dogs
The price, of course, varies depending on the country where you are, but it ranges from 20 to 50 $, or around 30 €. It will also depend on the presentation you buy according to the weight of your pet, but the variations are minimal.
