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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Any Bravecto users?

25 replies

Anomalocaris · 11/04/2022 23:15

My cat hates having her monthly flea drops, she's a rescue semi-feral and I'm sure she can read my mind when it's that time of the month, so she'll keep running away until she finally settles somewhere and I can apply it by stealth, and then she is scared of me for a couple of days Sad

She has no irritation or anything at the site, and the one month so far (out of 17!) that I got it on without her realising there was no drama at all. It's like it's the knowing it's going to be done and then that she's had it done that is traumatic (she's a calico with those pesky tortie genes so who knows what's going on?!).

So, today she had her booster and we're switching to Bravecto so we only need to do this every 3 months.

But, the box says you must wear gloves, which is going to be tricky as I'd need to wear them for half a day while I wait for an opportune moment and she will then associate gloves with the dreaded drops and it will all be just as stressful for her. And she'll probably rip the gloves anyway.

TL;DR: if you use Bravecto do you wear gloves?

OP posts:
nicemarmot · 11/04/2022 23:20

I do tend to wear gloves. I have got it on my hands before and it’s really hard to get off. My cats hate the experience too- I wait until they’re dozing and try to do it quickly before they run off.

Original poster
Anomalocaris · 11/04/2022 23:25

@nicemarmot

I do tend to wear gloves. I have got it on my hands before and it’s really hard to get off. My cats hate the experience too- I wait until they’re dozing and try to do it quickly before they run off.
Thanks, I hadn't thought of it being because it's hard to get off! I assumed it was because it could cause a reaction. That's helpful to know.
OP posts:
Original poster
Anomalocaris · 12/04/2022 23:41

Bumping as I finally read the leaflet earlier today and it's almost completely put me off using it, the can't go in your bed for 48hrs instruction would really cause problems (for the cat, not me, I can cope fine without her under the duvet).

Any more experiences?

OP posts:
OllieTheCat · 13/04/2022 10:01

We use it on one of our cats as the vet thought she was less receptive to Broadline. The application was pretty much the same and we didn't bother with gloves or restricting her. The benefit is not having to do it every month!

Heronatemygoldfish · 13/04/2022 10:02

One of our pair lost all the fur where the Bravecto was in contact with the skin. It took months to grow back so we've gone back to the old-fashioned solution (Program injections plus Indorex)

Still got an unused Bravecto capsule too. Didn't dare use it again on him.

Original poster
Anomalocaris · 13/04/2022 10:19

Thank you both, I feel ridiculously undecided!

OP posts:
TalkingCat · 13/04/2022 13:59

We've used Bravecto a few times and never knew you were meant to wear gloves. Vet have her it once, the vet never wore gloves. So that's the first I've heard of it. Best to do it when the cat is all dozy so they are slower to react/runaway from you when you're trying to do it.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 13/04/2022 14:02

I've never used the gloves and I've never read the pamphlet either.

It's fab stuff and cat likes it more than the Advantage stuff( which was hopeless and we had loads of fleas!)

FiveGoMadInDorset · 13/04/2022 14:04

Never worn gloves here either

RichardsGear · 13/04/2022 14:06

I've never worn gloves and didn't realise you have to keep them off the bed either.

Original poster
Anomalocaris · 13/04/2022 14:36

Thank you, that's helpful and makes me think it's worth trying.

Best to do it when the cat is all dozy so they are slower to react/runaway from you when you're trying to do it.
That made me laugh as last time I did it that way she bolted so quickly she had a streak right down her spine Grin

It's fab stuff and cat likes it more than the Advantage stuff( which was hopeless and we had loads of fleas!)
Glad it's effective, though Advantage has worked well here so far, so I suppose at least if it goes horribly wrong we can revert to that.

OP posts:
BirdIsland · 13/04/2022 14:58

I've used Bravecto once on my two, never again. It took all the fur off their necks, and they both had episodes of twitching/shaking for a good 24 hours. I was very worried about them. I haven't decided on an alternative yet, but it won't be Bravecto.

Original poster
Anomalocaris · 13/04/2022 15:11

Thanks Bird, that is a worry as she had a bad reaction to Dronspot, and the vet suggested it might have been the carrier rather than active ingredients.

It's such a hard decision, on the one hand it could reduce stress for her as it's less frequent, but equally could make things even worse than they are for her. She's such a sweet little thing, and I definitely worry much more about upsetting her than previous cats as she had such a crappy life before she was 'rescued'.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 14/04/2022 11:41

If she's had a bad reaction I'd just keep to what you're doing now and reward with treats afterwards. They don't like it but it's a necessary evil.

Original poster
Anomalocaris · 14/04/2022 13:04

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

If she's had a bad reaction I'd just keep to what you're doing now and reward with treats afterwards. They don't like it but it's a necessary evil.
Yeah, I think I will just stick to what's been working.

Unfortunately she doesn't like treats and has no interest in food at all so I can't buy her off, she just reverts to feral mode and bolts and hides, then gives me the evil eye for a few days and bolts if I move wrong.

OP posts:
FromOurHatsToOurFeet · 14/04/2022 13:12

Does your vet do the Programme injection? That works for 6 months and could be done at the same time as annual jabs so you'd only have to cover 6 months.

Toastfiendish · 14/04/2022 13:27

We use it because it actually works whereas front line and the other one we had also used were doing nothing. Our cat seems fine with it - as in he despises the process and hates us afterwards but it doesn't make him ill. We don't wear gloves but then it's a two person job anyway so maybe less likely to spill it? He doesn't sleep in our bed so not a consideration. The main downside is the cost!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 14/04/2022 13:29

@Toastfiendish

We use it because it actually works whereas front line and the other one we had also used were doing nothing. Our cat seems fine with it - as in he despises the process and hates us afterwards but it doesn't make him ill. We don't wear gloves but then it's a two person job anyway so maybe less likely to spill it? He doesn't sleep in our bed so not a consideration. The main downside is the cost!
How much is it? We get it as part of the vets health club so he gets his annual hand included too and his worming treatment too.
Original poster
Anomalocaris · 14/04/2022 13:30

Thanks both, I looked at and dismissed the Programme injection with my last cat for some reason I can't remember!

OP posts:
Heronatemygoldfish · 15/04/2022 09:23

Program is nearly £100 at our vet's.... so not cheap! But I am one of those people who get bitten a lot so I'd rather pay than itch!

Sundayscented · 15/04/2022 09:50

We use bravecto on all 3 of ours. I don't wear gloves. Not had any problems other than having to trap 2 of the cats in one room before starting as they will run once they smell it being used on the calm, chilled boy cat.

Lonecatwithkitten · 15/04/2022 12:32

@Anomalocaris

Thanks both, I looked at and dismissed the Programme injection with my last cat for some reason I can't remember!
Program prevents fleas breeding, but does not kill live fleas. So if your cat goes outside you may still see some live fleas, but they won't breed on your house. It is often the thought of live fleas that puts owners off. I use Bravecto on my own cat.
Xmasbaby11 · 15/04/2022 12:35

We use bravecto and don't wear gloves. Just grab kitty when she's resting (which is most of the time) and it takes under a minute. Had no reactions and she's never had fleas or worms.

Original poster
Anomalocaris · 15/04/2022 12:46

Thanks everyone who's commented.

Aah, that makes sense Lonecat, thanks for explaining.

OP posts:
RomeoOscarXrayIndigoEcho · 19/04/2022 23:31

I use bravecto on my two. No gloves. Always fine. Fur gets a bit sticky for a couple of days but that's about it.

I just make sure I get it right on the skin. I give them half a licky lick afterwards.

Didn't know about the bed thing! Oops.

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