Bravecto Quantum approved in Canada

Health Canada, the federal department that regulates drugs and health products in the country, has approved fluralaner for extended-release injectable suspension (Bravecto Quantum; Merck Animal Health). More than 50 countries have approved the drug.

The long-acting injection is intended for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) as well as for the treatment and control of tick infestations with Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick) for 12 months in dogs and puppies aged 6 months old and older. It is also used to treat and control infestations for up to 8 months in dogs and puppies that are at least 6 months old.

"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 active year-round in some areas, especially knowing it only takes a few warm days for ticks to become active," Frank Guerino, PhD, associate vice president of Global Pharmaceutical Development at Merck Animal Health, said in a company news release on the product’s approval in Canada.¹

In the United States, the product gained FDA approval in July 2025, making it the first drug approved by the federal agency that protects dogs against fleas and ticks for 8 to 12 months.^2,3 However, it was first approved in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, with the European Union greenlighting the drug in 2024.¹

Bravecto Quantum’s active ingredient, fluralaner, is part of a class of antiparasitic drugs known as isoxazolines. Currently, several isoxazoline-based products are approved to treat and control fleas and certain ticks in dogs and cats, but they typically provide protection for 1 month, according to the FDA.³

In a statement announcing Bravecto Quantum’s approval earlier this year, the FDA noted that isoxazoline products have been linked to neurologic side effects in some dogs and cats, including muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures. The agency added that “isoxazoline products are commonly used and safe for most dogs and cats,” but advised pet owners to consult a veterinarian to determine whether an isoxazoline product is appropriate for their pet.³

The drug can only be prescribed by a licensed veterinarian, and professional expertise is required to administer the injection. Veterinary professionals should monitor for any adverse reactions and take appropriate measures if they occur, and and advise dog owners considering the product for breeding dogs. Professionals should also determine the optimal treatment interval (8 versus 12 months) based on the species of ticks the patient is likely to be exposed to, the FDA said.³

References

1. Health Canada approves BRAVECTO® QUANTUM (fluralaner for extended-release injectable suspension) from MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH. News release. Merck Animal Health. October 2, 2025. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/health-canada-approves-bravecto-r-quantum-fluralaner-for-extended-release-injectable-suspension-from-merck-animal-health-893381746.html
2. Coppock Crossley K. First long-acting flea and tick treatment is FDA-approved for dogs. dvm360. July 10, 2025. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/first-long-acting-flea-and-tick-treatment-is-fda-approved-for-dogs
3. FDA approves first long-acting flea and tick treatment for dogs. US Food &Drug Administration. July 10, 2025. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-approves-first-long-acting-flea-and-tick-treatment-dogs