Bravecto Chews For Dogs 44-88 Lbs (20-40 Kg)

Description

The 44–88 lb variant of Bravecto Chews contains 1000 mg fluralaner per chew, formulated to a minimum of 11.4 mg/lb (25 mg/kg) body weight across the entire weight range. As an isoxazoline-class compound, fluralaner acts systemically: once absorbed, it blocks GABA-gated and glutamate-gated chloride channels in the arthropod nervous system, killing parasites when they feed on the dog’s blood rather than through skin-surface contact. Protection spans 12 weeks for fleas and four tick species per dose, with lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) coverage extending to 8 weeks specifically.

Recommended for:

Dogs and puppies weighing 44–88 lbs (20–40 kg), aged 6 months and older.

Indication/Coverage:

For dogs suffering from, or at risk from, flea and tick infestations, Bravecto Chews 44–88 lbs addresses the following parasites and conditions:

• Flea treatment and prevention: Kills adult cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) within 8 hours of attachment, with lethal activity persisting across the entire 12-week dosing interval.
• Black-legged tick (deer tick) control: Treatment and control of Ixodes scapularis infestations for 12 weeks; this species serves as the primary vector of Lyme disease throughout the northeastern and upper midwestern United States.
• American dog tick control: Treatment and control of Dermacentor variabilis for 12 weeks; this species transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever and is widely distributed across the continental U.S.
• Brown dog tick control: Treatment and control of Rhipicephalus sanguineus for 12 weeks, with adult-stage efficacy confirmed at 48 hours post-infestation in controlled laboratory studies.
• Asian longhorned tick control: Treatment and control of Haemaphysalis longicornis for 12 weeks; an invasive species now established across multiple U.S. states, with confirmed efficacy at 48 hours post-infestation.
• Lone star tick control: Treatment and control of Amblyomma americanum for 8 weeks in dogs 6 months of age and older; fluralaner does not sustain 90% or greater efficacy against this species beyond week 8, and the label does not extend this indication to puppies under 6 months.
• Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) management: Sustained flea elimination removes the antigenic stimulus driving allergic responses in sensitized dogs, supporting FAD control strategies where flea source reduction is the primary clinical objective.
• Environmental flea cycle disruption: Newly emerged fleas that feed on a treated dog are killed before depositing viable eggs, halting the reinfestation cycle in the dog’s immediate environment.
• Reduction of tapeworm and tick-borne disease risk: Eliminating flea and tick populations removes the intermediate hosts and vectors responsible for transmitting Dipylidium caninum (tapeworm) and tick-borne pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi and Rickettsia rickettsii.

Key Benefits:

The following characteristics are drawn directly from the FDA-approved label for Bravecto Chews (fluralaner) 1000 mg.

• Large-breed weight coverage: Labeled for dogs from 44 lbs (20 kg) through 88 lbs (40 kg), encompassing breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Boxers at typical adult weight.
• Five-species tick coverage: A single 1000 mg chew addresses five tick species in one dose, including the vectors of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and the invasive Asian longhorned tick, without requiring supplementary tick products.
• Systemic mechanism, no coat dependency: Fluralaner circulates via the bloodstream and kills parasites at the point of feeding; bathing, swimming, or dense coat conditions after dosing have no bearing on efficacy, unlike topical formulations where surface concentration can be reduced by water contact.
• Flea kill within 8 hours: Adult fleas are eliminated within 8 hours of attachment at the labeled dose, restricting the feeding window available for allergen deposition and egg production before the parasite dies.
• Four doses per year: One 1000 mg chew covers a 12-week interval for fleas and four tick species, reducing the annual dosing burden to four administrations compared to twelve with monthly oral products.
• Oral format for large dogs: Administering a single flavored chew eliminates the logistical challenge of applying a topical spot-on to a dense-coated or large-breed dog, where parting the coat to reach bare skin at the application site can be physically difficult.
• Documented FAD lesion resolution: In the U.S. field study, dogs with flea allergy dermatitis showed measurable improvement across erythema, alopecia, papules, scales, crusts, and excoriation scores as a direct consequence of flea population elimination by fluralaner.
• Reduced fasted-state bioavailability: Fluralaner absorption is measurably lower when the stomach is empty; administering the chew with a meal is a labeled requirement, not an optional recommendation, to ensure the drug reaches effective plasma concentrations within the dosing window.

Caution:

Hazards to Humans

Bravecto Chews are not for human use. Retain the product in its original blister packaging until the point of administration and keep it out of children’s reach at all times. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling the chew. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after dosing the dog.

Hazards to Domestic Animals

Bravecto Chews are for oral administration only. The 44–88 lb variant is labeled for dogs and puppies that have reached at least 44 lbs (20 kg) in body weight and are aged 6 months or older; animals below either threshold should not receive this tablet. Prior to use in debilitated, aged, pregnant, or lactating dogs, veterinary assessment is warranted. Fluralaner is an isoxazoline-class compound associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures; this has occurred in dogs with no prior seizure history. Use with caution in dogs with known seizure disorders or neurological conditions, and review post-approval experience data before administering to breeding females. Confirm any concurrent drug combinations with a veterinarian before the first dose.

Possible Side Effects:

Monitor your dog closely in the period following administration of Bravecto Chews, particularly after the first dose in the 44–88 lb range.

The following adverse reactions were recorded in the controlled U.S. field study (182-day observation period, n=224 dogs) and in post-approval adverse drug experience reports filed with the FDA/CVM:

• Vomiting: Reported in 7.1% of Bravecto-group dogs; the most frequently documented GI sign across the field study, generally self-limiting and resolving without medical intervention.
• Decreased appetite: Reported in 6.7% of treated dogs and not observed in the active control group, indicating a product-associated pattern rather than a background finding.
• Lethargy: Reported in 5.4% of field study dogs; most cases resolved during the observation period without requiring treatment.
• Diarrhea: Reported in 4.9% of dogs; post-approval reporting to the FDA/CVM includes cases of bloody diarrhea in a subset of affected animals.
• Polydipsia: Reported in 1.8% of Bravecto-group dogs during the 182-day study period.
• Flatulence: Reported in 1.3% of dogs in the treated group.
• Neurologic signs: Post-approval reports submitted to the FDA/CVM include tremors, ataxia, and seizures in dogs receiving isoxazoline-class drugs; these have occurred in animals without a documented prior seizure history.
• Dermal and allergic reactions: Post-approval surveillance captures pruritus, hives, erythema, swelling, and dermatitis presenting as crusts, pustules, or rash in a subset of treated dogs.

If any of these signs develop after administration, contact your veterinarian for advice and evaluation. The dog should be examined before the next scheduled dose if any neurologic or allergic signs have occurred.