Merck Animal Health Receives U.S. FDA Approval of Expanded Indication for BRAVECTO Chews for Dogs

Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the United States Food and Drug Administration’s approval of an expanded indication for BRAVECTO Chews for Dogs. The new indication treats and controls Asian longhorned ticks, which are an invasive Ixodid species located across more than one-third of the U.S

BRAVECTO Chews for Dogs is the first and only U.S. product labeled for the treatment and control of Asian longhorned tick infestations. These ticks have the potential to quickly become an important tick species within pet populations and have been known to carry various viral, bacterial and protozoal agents. This product label expansion is an important addition to the company’s BRAVECTO product portfolio, which are extended duration flea and tick protection products that offer broad-spectrum, comprehensive parasite protection for dogs.

“The approval of this additional BRAVECTO use builds on the strong foundation and body of scientific evidence that we have established over the years with our broad-spectrum comprehensive line of parasite protection products,” said Holger Lehmann, DVM, PhD, vice president, Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Merck Animal Health. “With BRAVECTO’s new indication in Asian longhorned ticks, we have expanded our portfolio with an important claim in the fight against parasites, as well as provided dogs with flea and tick protection that delivers immediate and persistent killing activity.”

BRAVECTO Chews for dogs is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis), treatment and control of tick infestations (Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)] and Haemaphysalis longicornis (Asian longhorned tick) for 12 weeks and treatment and control of Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) infestations for 8 weeks.

“Parasites pose serious animal and human health risks as fleas and ticks can transmit disease agents,” said Kathryn Duncan, DVM, PhD, DACVM, parasitology field specialist, Merck Animal Health. “Protection against the Asian longhorned tick is critical because its prevalence is increasing throughout the country. This expanded indication from Merck Animal Health represents a scientific milestone in our continued commitment to providing the highest level of proven treatments in battling parasites faced by our pets.”

BRAVECTO Chews for Dogs is part of the Merck Animal Health Companion Animal portfolio, which includes a broad range of veterinary medicines and vaccines, as well as the SURE PETCARE^™ brand platform of digitally connected products along with the HomeAgain^® brand-leading service provider in pet recovery.