Bravecto is a fluralaner parasite treatment sold in Australia as a chew for dogs and as spot-on tubes for both dogs and cats. Every product in the range is dosed by bodyweight, so the first thing to do is weigh your pet — not choose by breed, and not repeat the pack you bought last year. The bands do not overlap, and a dog or cat sitting just over a line needs the next size up.
Dogs. The Bravecto chew defends against paralysis ticks for 4 months and fleas for 3 months, and also treats brown dog ticks, bush ticks, Sarcoptes, Demodex and ear mites. It can be used in puppies over 8 weeks of age weighing at least 2kg, and is safe in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs. Bravecto Spot On for dogs runs longer between doses — 6 months of flea and paralysis tick cover from one tube — and adds treatment and control of sarcoptic mange plus prevention of flea tapeworm infections. The chew suits a dog that swims or is bathed often, since there is no application site to keep dry; the spot-on suits a dog that will not reliably eat a tablet. One thing that catches people out: the 40-56kg band is purple in the chew range and pink in the spot-on range, so match on the weight printed on the pack rather than the colour you remember.
Cats. Bravecto Spot On for Cats gives up to 3 months of flea and paralysis tick protection from one application, plus treatment and control of ear mites. Bravecto Plus covers a shorter interval — 2 months — but adds heartworm and intestinal worms to the same dose, which is the better trade-off if you would otherwise be buying a separate wormer. Apply either at the base of the skull, on skin, where a cat cannot groom it off.
For paralysis tick control it is recommended that Bravecto be used alongside daily searching for, and removal of, any ticks found, as the risk of tick paralysis cannot be entirely eliminated. Speak with your veterinarian for advice on tick searching and removal techniques.
