Merck Animal Health announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of  1-MONTH fluralaner chews for dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older. The product is administered as a single, monthly flavored chew formulation for treatment and prevention of fleas and treatment and control of ticks. The product is expected to be available in the coming months.

“The approval of this additional BRAVECTO product 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 KJ Varma, BVSc, PhD, senior vice president, Research and Development, Merck Animal Health.

The product is labeled to kill adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) and the treatment and control of tick infestations [Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)] for one month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 4.4 pounds or greater. The product is also indicated for the treatment and control of Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) infestations for one month in dogs and puppies 6 months of age and older and weighing 4.4 pounds or greater.

“Parasites pose serious animal and human health risks as fleas and ticks can transmit disease,” said Christine Royal, DVM, executive director, U.S. Companion Animal and Equine Professional Services, Merck Animal Health.

BRAVECTO 1-MONTH contains fluralaner, an ectoparasiticide belonging to the isoxazoline class, which has systemic activity against ticks and fleas. The product is available in five strengths (45, 100, 200, 400 and 560 mg) per chew.