Has anyone here used Bravecto for their dogs (flea medication) and had any ill effects? One of our dogs now has extremely high liver enzymes and kidney issues - and we used Bravecto about 4 weeks ago. It may not be related - don't know since we didn't do blood work before, but took her in to the vet on Monday for a routine teeth cleaning (she'll be 8 next month) and we did post operative blood work and it was really bad. She's now on 4 different medications (she had a heart murmur, too) and we're very concerned. I've been looking at Bravecto on-line and have seen many people say it killed their dogs.

Sorry, Skittles, but I wouldn't use Bravecto under any circumstances. It's gotten tons of bad reviews on every dog related website I've visited. I'm also in a couple Cavalier rescue and health groups and they routinely have posts dunning Bravecto. It's unfortunate that people don't find out about this till after they've given it to their dog and the problems set in. Hope your girl makes it through this ok.

Truff - I will not use it again. I haven't told my husband about this - he will be furious. Hopefully the medication helps her. She goes back in two weeks for more blood work; however you wouldn't know she has any issues - still has playful, happy and sweet as ever. Now I'm also concerned about the other two. No one is acting sick. I also plan on making sure my vet (who we really like) is aware of these issues.

We had done a lot of research on what to use for flea and tick prevention for Cooper and chose Sorresto. We didn't like what we had read about Bravecto, but we have no first hand knowledge about it.

We use Sorresto for our dog, and Revolution for our cat and thankfully have not had any issues.
Good luck Skittles, it's tough, you were only trying to do what was best.

Yes, I was. She doesn't act like she's feeling badly at all so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that her numbers will improve with time and medication. When the vet's office called me today to check on her I told the young lady that I had some some research on Bravecto and didn't like what I was reading and concerned that might have caused the issues.

Perhaps they will suggest a period of Science Diet KD (for kidney's) food to help.

Late to the party, but our two have been on Bravecto for over a year and we've actually had really good luck with it! It's done much better with ticks than our previous topical treatment.

I do recall that it's not generally recommended for smaller dog breeds, but our vet uses it for his four (all retriever size or larger). Hopefully she's bounced back by now!

Not yet; however I don't really think the heart murmur was caused by the Bravecto - just the liver issues. She's supposed to have blood work again next week. She's still not eating well sometimes and we can't get all of the medication in her, but we (meaning my husband since we live in separate states for a little while longer) can get some into her.

So sorry Skittles. No fleas in my state, flys are bad in the summer. I would feel horrible if was just trying to help and hurt my furr baby. Hope your dog recovers fully soon.

Skittles, have you tried mixing food in with some liverwurst? We use that as a secret to get down medications for the dogs/cats. it's pungent enough that they like the taste which also masks meds.

Ditto liver sausage but I don't mix it with the food. Just mash some around the pill and give it to her as a treat. Peanut butter (smooth) is another great way to get meds into dogs. I just get some on my finger, covering up the pill in the middle and they'll lick it off. My dogs like bananas too so I can put a larger pill in the middle of a chunk and they'll eat that. Have you tried changing her regular food any? I feed my dogs a variety of stuff so I've more things to temp them with when they need meds or are off their feed.

Thanks for the suggestions and I'll keep this in mind. Bill said as soon as she tastes the pill in her food she stops eating. I'll let him know your thoughts.

I put pills (whole, if they aren't too huge) into mini peanut butter sandwiches for my dogs. I use one slice of bread, slather it in PB, hide the pill in one corner, then fold it in half and cut it into 1/3s. I give them a 'blank' piece first, just to get the feeding frenzy started, then the loaded one, then the last blank. I've used this trick for everything from antibiotic pills (which are fairly large) to paste dewormers and so far have yet to see it fail.

I hope she recovers soon, Skittles!

I just use a half slice of flat cheese folder over the enemy and **gulp** it's GONE

I do that ^^ a lot, too, but sometimes the little buggers manage to separate the larger pills from the cheese.

That's why you have to put a layer of peanut butter on the cheese before you fold the pill in.

Last time I tried just the cheese, Lily worked it around her mouth for a minute, spit out the pill and swallowed the cheese!

Yup...and then the dog is leery about eating her meal the next time and it becomes a vicious cycle. I wouldn't like meds mixed in my dinner either. You need to know the animal is getting their med. Hopefully the disguises will work. Otherwise, it's open her mouth and push the pill in. But definitely stop putting it in her dinner. She needs to eat as much as she needs her meds.

Don't know if you've ever tried Pill Pockets. Vets carry them and so do pet stores. They're more pricey than liver sausage or PB but they have a little opening that you put the pill in and smash the soft treat around it.

Truff - when I fed her before I would 'help' her eat by picking up food and hiding the pills inside - no problem. She's been on a thyroid pill for years. It's the heart pill (Benazapril) that she dislikes so much. She won't eat the Pill Pockets either. He's going to go with pushing the pill down her throat and at least it's a small one.

I still suggest he give the liver sausage a go. Less traumatizing than down the throat. I've yet to meet a dog that doesn't go nuts for liver sausage.

Agree. If you haven't tried other methods...[tiny pill/cheese/pb] why not try it? It then becomes a treat and not traumatic!

My husband just opens their mouth up, puts the pill at the back of their throat and lets go. They don't have a choice but to swallow.

I don't think I could do that - so, we will leave him in charge of meds.

Oh I've done it. My entire hand inside a Rottweiler's mouth...full of teeth....you have to trust them! LOL!

big or little, dogs can bite if po'd but cats are worse and I've yet to find something to hide a pill in for a cat.
I just find it hard to make a sick animal more upset by forcing a pill down their throat. Yet another reason, imho, to vary their diets and treats so that you have more options to temp them with when needed.

Oh lawd! No...no way forcing a cat to do ANYTHING!

Nope - there isn't. When Skittles was on her medications for thyroid and kidney - I just opened the capsule and crushed the small pill into her wet food. She got what she got - and still lived to be almost 20.

Bill said Rafe LOVES the rotisserie chicken he has been getting so as of right now that works, too. I've never seen liver sausage, but will check at the local grocery store. Not sure if that's a 'southern' thing. Ha!

Liver sausage Southern? Have you forgotten where I live, Skittles? Does Braunschweiger sound familiar? It's a German sausage made from pork. It's similar in consistency to a pate. here's pictures. You can buy it in a tube or as slices. All the major meat manufacturers make it including Oscar Mayer and Jones, etc.

I don't know if it's the same thing but when I think liver sausage I think braunschweiger.

I remember my mother buying Braunschweiger when I was growing up - and I (I do apologize to your heritage) remember disliking it.

Thanks Truff!!!

hey, I'm Polish, not German. But I concede that liver sausage is one of those love it/hate it kind of foods...except when it comes to dogs. They love smelly things and liver sausage fits the bill!

Cat were treated by the Egyptians like gods 3000 years ago. Cats have not forgotten that.

No..they certainly have not! !

Liver sausage sounds about as appetizing as souse meat to me. Bleck~~~~~

In the local Kroger yesterday I saw the souse, but not the Braunschweiger. I will continue to look.

If it helps Skittles, the braunschweiger is found near the packaged deli meats in the stores around here.

Google liverwurst and select images, so you know what to look for!

Look for the bologna and Oscar Mayer, etc. If all else fails, ask a clerk or butcher. They'll be able to show you where it is for sure. How's your pup doing now?

She's not doing well - won't eat. Bill is taking her to the vet this afternoon. I now she ate breakfast yesterday for the dog sitters, but wouldn't touch anything last night. It appears she wants to, but won't. I'm hoping that possibly she has an infected tooth (hasn't wanted to eat cruncy food for awhile).

BTW - thanks for all of the good thoughts, prayers and suggestions. I'm just praying we can get her through this.

She's a senior dog now. I've found crunchy foods can be less appealing to seniors. I feed my 8 and 13 yr old kibble mixed with a splash of water to soften and something enticing. Add ins include leftover meat or veggies chopped fine; rehydrated dog food like The Honest Kitchen; canned pumpkin or cottage cheese. Rotating these things keeps the dogs interested. fwiw, I feed this to my newest who's 9 months old now.

I hope Bill is able to find the cause and your girl is back on track soon. :fingers crossed:

Tripe (a canned dog food) is good for enticing them to eat. It smells nasty, but that's what attracts the dogs to it. I've used it as is or mixed into kibble. Ground turkey (or beef, rinsed and drained after browning) mixed with rice is another option.

We can stop now. Her liver and kidneys are failing and the numbers have increased dramatically over the past two weeks. The vet said she more than likely has a liver tumor. This is so hard - she's not even 8.

I'm so sorry, Skittles.

Oh, Skittles, so sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, age isn't a guard against something like a tumor. Even sadder that you're not there with her. gentle ((hugs))

Thank you! Very difficult time indeed. Raphael (Rafe) was the best little girl. Sweet disposition, affectionare and always a twinkle in her eye. She's over the Rainbow Bridge with the others waiting for us.

So sorry Skittles. ((hugs))

Very sad to hear this.

I'm so sorry, Skittles. Thinking of you.

I'm sorry, Skittles.

(((HUGS)))

So very sorry.

So sorry for your loss Skittles.

Very sorry to hear that Skittles.

Oh no! I'm so sorry. Sending lots of good thoughts for you and your family.

So sorry for your loss Skittles.

I am sure that if she could have, she would have thanked you for all the love you gave her before she left.

Hugs and prayers.

We're hurting because we miss our furry friends. They're thinking I'm not hurting anymore, thanks for the great love and friendship you gave me mom!

BOL seriously needs a 'like' button. ^^^

I'm so sorry Skittles :-(

Oh, no, Skittles. What a rough week for you. I'm so sorry.