A recently updated lawsuit against Bravecto flea and tick treatment provides a perfect example of how consumers are not properly informed about dangerous pet products.
The updated lawsuit states (bold added):
“the FDA has received three times as many reports for neurological adverse events after animals ingested Bravecto than any other flea and tick product containing isoxazoline.”
But, the pet owning public was not properly warned.
“On September 20, 2018—more than four years after Defendant began marketing and selling Bravecto and after thousands of consumer complaints about the product—the FDA issued an alert (the “FDA Press Release”) on the potential neurological adverse events associated with isoxazoline medications to treat flea and ticks, including Bravecto. In that press release, the FDA stated that it was requesting that manufacturers change their labels to “highlight neurological events because these events were seen consistently across the isoxazoline class of products” and “provide veterinarians and pet owners with the information they need to make treatment decisions for each pet on an individual basis.” The FDA Press Release also indicated that certain manufacturers—but not Defendant—had made the requested label change.”
“Even after the FDA’s warning, Defendant dragged its feet another nine months until June 2019 to finally disclose a risk of some neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures from Bravecto.”
“By the time Bravecto finally made the belated disclosure about the potential for serious side effects, Defendant had sold over 40 million 12-week chews. None of the individuals to whom Defendant sold the 40 million Bravecto chews were provided with adequate information allowing them to make informed decisions about whether to put their pets at serious risk of injury or death, because Defendant refused to change its product labeling until forced to do so.”
Click Here to read the lawsuit.
As well, sick and dying pets earlier this year is another example how pet owners are not properly informed to potentially dangerous products.
In January 2024, the FDA received more than 800 adverse event reports filed by pet owners involving more than 1,100 sick pets – 97 pet deaths (reported in one month) linked to Purina Pet Foods. Per reports shared between pet owners, reports of sick pets continued at concerningly high numbers in February and March 2024 – but the FDA has refused to release those adverse event reports to the public. Purina’s statement to these alarming reports was to say the pet illnesses and deaths were they were a “rumor” claiming “There are no health or safety issues with our products, and they can continue to be fed with confidence.”
What are your thoughts?
What needs to be done to alert pet owners to concerning issues with pet products in a more timely manner? Lives could be saved if a proper notification system would be implemented. What are your suggestions/thoughts on a notification system? How can we fix this problem?
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Teresa Johnson
November 14, 2024 at 1:31 pm
A major change of mindset needs to be made. To this day, too many (humans) say “It’s just an animal.” They don’t see the value of life.
Companies manufacturing and selling ANY pet products needs to shift from from ‘for profit’ only thinking to the idea that once a pet is gone so are the sales, therefore doing everything possible to assure safety.
Notices need to be more forthcoming, voluntarily and timely, to alert ALL consumers of potential dangers. How many none pet people purchase pet products to gift friends or donate to shelters? Everyone needs, and has a right to know. Maybe we need to borrow from other venues and start a new line of slogans for the cause –
Dogs Lives Matter
Cats Lives Matter
Pets Lives Matter
And hold manufacturers accountable when safety factors are clouded.
Noreen Nugeness
November 15, 2024 at 2:30 am
I’m appalled by the remark that “it’s just an animal.” Are these people out of their minds. My fur baby is NOT JUST AN ANIMAL. He’s the love of my life and my family’s. We do everything to keep him safe and to have a very loving home. He’s family!! Why do the dog food companies have to put harmful ingredients in our pet’s food when they don’t have to. Surely there’s something else they can do to provide a safe dog and cat food for our little loves. I am very grateful to Susan for keeping us informed as to what’s safe and what isn’t for our fur babies. I trust Susan because I know she is sincere and wants us pet parents to know what’s harmful to our babies. Please keep up the good work Susan because there are so many people like myself who depend on you to keep us informed so we can keep our fur babies safe and healthy. God Bless You for all you do for our little family members who are loved so very much. Thank You!