FDA Approves Long-Lasting Flea and Tick Treatment for Dogs

Nevena Nacic
by Nevena Nacic
New Africa/Shutterstock

If you’ve ever found yourself flipping through your calendar and panicking over a missed flea treatment, we’ve got news that might change your whole routine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a once-a-year flea and tick shot for dogs, and it’s already making waves in the pet world.


The product, called Bravecto Quantum, is an injectable medication that protects dogs from fleas and ticks for a full 12 months. Yes, you read that right, one vet visit, and your dog is covered for an entire year.


The long-acting shot contains fluralaner, the same active ingredient found in other Bravecto products, but this version is specially formulated for extended release. That means no more monthly chewables, no more oily spot-ons, and no more reminders you snooze and forget. 


Bravecto Quantum has been used in Australia and Europe, but as of July 2025, it’s now officially FDA-approved and set to become available in U.S. veterinary clinics this August.


For busy pet parents, this new option could be a total game changer.


Year-round protection in one easy injection,” said Dr. Christine Royal, veterinarian and executive director at Merck Animal Health. “It’s a convenient and effective option that supports compliance and peace of mind.”


And that peace of mind is something pet owners know can be hard to come by, especially when juggling a household, a job, and a dog who absolutely refuses to eat that monthly pill hidden in peanut butter.


The shot protects against fleas and three major types of ticks - American dog ticks, black-legged ticks, and brown dog ticks - for 12 months. It also offers eight months of protection against lone star ticks, which are increasingly common in many U.S. regions.


Bravecto Quantum is administered by a veterinarian, not something you can do at home, which is actually a plus. It guarantees proper dosing and gives you a reason to take your dog for an annual health check, which many vets recommend anyway.


Like any medication, it’s not totally risk-free. Fluralaner belongs to the isoxazoline class of drugs, which the FDA has linked to neurological side effects such as tremors and seizures, particularly in dogs with a history of those conditions. Common side effects may include mild injection site discomfort or lethargy, but these are generally short-lived.


Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, says this long-acting option could be particularly helpful for certain pet families. “In areas where ticks are active year-round, or for owners who struggle to remember monthly treatments, having a once-a-year injection simplifies things considerably,” she noted.


So what’s the upside of Bravecto Quantum for pet parents?


For starters, it reduces the risk of gaps in protection. Skipping just one monthly dose can leave your dog vulnerable, not just to fleas, but to serious diseases like Lyme, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, all of which are transmitted by ticks.


It also means fewer products in your cabinet, fewer dosing errors, and let’s be honest, fewer wrestling matches with your dog on the kitchen floor.


That said, it’s not a magic fix-all. You’ll still want to maintain a clean home environment, wash bedding regularly, and keep your yard tick-free. Flea and tick protection works best when it’s part of a bigger strategy.


If your pup is six months or older and in good health, talk to your vet to see if the new shot might be right for them. It might just be the simplest way yet to keep them safe and give you one less thing to worry about for the next 365 days.


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Nevena Nacic
Nevena Nacic

Nevena is a freelance writer and a proud mom of Teo, a 17-year-old poodle, and Bob, a rescued grey tabby cat. Since childhood, she had a habit of picking up strays and bringing them home (luckily, her parents didn't know how to say NO). When she's not writing for her fellow pet parents, Nevena can be found watching Teo sleep. To her defense, that's not as creepy as it sounds!

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