‘Profits Over Pets’: Interceptor Plus Ingredients Killed Thousands of Dogs, Class Action Alleges

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A proposed class action alleges thousands of dogs nationwide have experienced severe allergic reactions or died due to two active ingredients in Interceptor Plus-brand chewable broad-spectrum parasite protection medicine. 

The 17-page lawsuit says that although defendant Elanco Animal Health Incorporated touts Interceptor Plus as safer and able to offer pets more protection against deadly parasites than comparable medicines, two of the product’s active ingredients, milbemycin oxime and praziquantel, are responsible for many allergic reactions and deaths. 

Nowhere on the Interceptor Plus label, or in advertisements or product packaging, does Elanco disclose that the medicine can cause severe reactions or death, the suit says, calling the lack of a disclaimer an effort by the defendant to gain a competitive advantage in the market. 

“In other words, Elanco’s ‘profits over pets’ strategy has impacted pets and their owners throughout the United States and led to thousands of severe adverse reactions and deaths for dogs that would have been avoidable but for Defendant’s conduct.” 

Cited in the case is a July 2021 Journal of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (JVMS) article that stated, based on information obtained from the FDA, that thousands of pets are being harmed and dying due to active ingredients in Interceptor Plus. In recent years, the active ingredients have caused “172,00 adverse reactions and almost 5,000 dog deaths,” the complaint alleges. 

The same JVMS article relayed that the dangers posed by Interceptor Plus have been known for years, and even apparently “improved” formulations of the product have caused “moderate to marked increases” in adverse pet reaction reports and deaths, the lawsuit states. 

“In other words, ‘new and improved’ versions of the Product have been shown to be far deadlier than prior versions,” the suit says. “Nevertheless, Defendant continues to sell Interceptor Plus to consumers and their four-legged companions.” 

The plaintiff, a Helena, Montana resident, claims that her seven-year-old German shepherd began to feel unwell and showed signs of a potential parasitic infection around Christmas 2021. After consuming Interceptor Plus on December 27, the dog began “showing significantly worse health,” including weight loss, sudden loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and shallow and rapid breathing, before dying on December 31, the lawsuit says. 

The lawsuit looks to represent consumers in Montana, Iowa, Arizona, Ohio, Indiana, Rhode Island, Delaware, Alabama, Louisiana, West Virginia, New Mexico, Michigan, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma who bought Interceptor Plus medicine during the applicable statute of limitations period for each allegation in the complaint. 

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