Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co. said July 10 that the Food and Drug Administration approved its once-yearly injectable product to treat and protect dogs from fleas and ticks. The product is expected to be available at veterinary clinics and hospitals nationwide by August 2025.
The product, Bravecto Quantum, was first approved in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, followed by the European Union in 2024. In total, Bravecto Quantum is approved in more than 50 countries worldwide.
“We take great pride in our company’s leadership in long-acting preventative parasiticides and are excited to offer a convenient option that gives dogs year-round1 comprehensive protection from fleas and ticks in one easy injection they can receive from their veterinarian,” said Christine Royal, vice president, companion animal and equine business unit, Merck Animal Health.
“The approval of Bravecto Quantum sets a new standard in pet care by providing veterinarians and pet parents with a safe and effective option when it comes to flea and tick protection for dogs.”
The introduction of the treatment occurs as incidents of flea tick bites are rising. The Northeast is seeing one of the largest surges in tick bites in at least five years, mirroring a nationwide increase that includes an increase in tick-borne disease, according to data from the CDC.
Last month, the federal agency recorded 229 emergency department visits related to tick bites per 100,000 visits in the Northeast, which includes Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and New England. In June of 2024, the CDC only recorded 167.
Bravecto Quantum kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) and for the treatment and control of tick infestations – Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick) for 12 months in dogs and puppies six months of age and older. Bravecto Quantum is also indicated for the treatment and control of Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) infestations for eight months in dogs and puppies six months of age and older.
Merck says Bravecto Quantum is the first and only parasiticide that protects against fleas and ticks for a full year with one dose, offering longer flea and tick protection than any other systemic product on the market.
“Though people often think of flea and tick season during the summer months, studies have shown that while fleas and ticks are most active from early spring through the fall, they can be a threat year-round, especially knowing it only takes a few warm days for ticks to become active,” said Frank Guerino, associate vice president of global pharmaceutical development, Merck Animal Health.
Fleas and ticks are a nuisance and pose serious risk to both animal and human health as they can transmit serious diseases. Fleas can also cause severe allergic dermatitis in dogs and cats. Many fleas and ticks can live in both warm and cold temperatures, making continuous year-round protection of utmost importance for pets and people.
