NexGard is an antiparasitic drug whose active ingredient is afoxolaner, a compound belonging to the isoxazoline family. It is a relatively new synthetic drug that is used for the treatment of external parasites caused by fleas, ticks and mites in dogs. Its powerful, fast and long-lasting action, added to the low number of contraindications and adverse effects, makes it a great alternative for the treatment and prevention of ectoparasitosis in dogs.
If you want to know more information about NexGard for dogs, its prospectus and what it is used for, we recommend that you read the following article from our site where we explain its uses, dosage, contraindications and side effects.
What is NexGard?
NexGard is the brand name of an antiparasitic drug whose active ingredient is afoxolaner. Currently, it is available for use in dogs in the form of chewable tablets, for oral administration. The tablets are available in different strengths (11 mg, 28 mg, 68 mg and 136 mg) to meet the needs of different breeds depending on their size.
The active ingredient in NexGard for dogs, afoxolaner, is an insecticide and acaricide belonging to the isoxazoline family. Its mechanism of action is based on the blockade of the chloride channels of the neurotransmitter GABA, which causes an uncontrolled activity of the central nervous system, followed by the death of the insects and mites.
What is NexGard Spectra?
Although in this article we focus on describing the characteristics of NexGard, it is worth mentioning the existence of a variant of it, NexGard Spectra, which combines two active ingredients: afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime. The combination of both compounds gives the drug an both ectoparasiticidal and endoparasiticidal effect against insects and mites and against nematodes, respectively.
If you want to know more about Mites in dogs: symptoms, contagion and treatment, don't hesitate to read this other post that we suggest.
What is NexGard used for in dogs?
As we have already mentioned, afoxolaner has an insecticidal and acaricidal effect, so it is usually used to treat external parasites (or ectoparasites) in dogs.
Specifically, the NexGard is used in the treatment of:
- Flea infestations: Caused by fleas of the Ctenocephalides felis or Ctenocephalides canis species. NexGard kills fleas within 8 hours. It can also be used to control Flea Bite Allergy Dermatitis (DAPP). Find out more about How to get rid of fleas in dogs, here.
- Tick infestations: caused by ticks of the genera Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes hexagonus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The NexGard kills ticks in the first 48 hours. Do not hesitate to consult this other post about Ticks in dogs: how to identify and eliminate them.
- Demodicosis: caused by the mite Demodex canis.
- Sarcoptic mange: caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei variety canis. You can get more information about sarcoptic mange in dogs: symptoms and treatment in this other article on our site.
You may be wondering at this point how an orally administered drug can have an effect on external parasites on the animal's surface. The answer lies in the hematophagous-type feeding that some external parasites have When these ectoparasites feed on blood, they simultaneously ingest the active ingredient that has been administered to the animal, which allows the pharmacological effect to take place. Therefore, it must be taken into account that NexGard will only be effective against blood-feeding parasites, since only they will be exposed to the active substance.
For the same reason, the risk of disease transmission by these parasites cannot be ruled out, since exposure to afoxolaner they must feed on the host, and at this time may act as vectors of various diseases.
NexGard Dosage for Dogs
The dose of NexGard for dogs should be 2.7 to 7 mg per kg of body weight As already mentioned, Chewable tablets are marketed in different concentrations to meet the needs of different dog breeds depending on their size. To know the appropriate concentration of the tablets, the following list must be taken into account:
- In dogs from 2 to 4 kg: 1 tablet of NexGard 11 mg.
- For dogs from 4 to 10 kg: 1 NexGard 28 mg tablet.
- In dogs from 10 to 25 kg: 1 tablet of NexGard 68 mg.
- In dogs from 25 to 50 kg: 1 tablet of NexGard 136 mg.
- In dogs over 50 kg: use the appropriate combination of tablets of the same or different concentration. Tablets should not be divided.
NexGard Treatment Guideline for Dogs
Once the dose of NexGard for dogs is known, we must detail the different administration guidelines depending on the parasite to be treated:
- In flea and tick infestations: once a month during the flea or tick season (depending on the local epidemiological situation).
- In demodicosis: once a month until two negative scrapings are obtained one month apart. Severe cases may require prolonged treatment.
- In sarcoptic mange: once a month for two consecutive months. Additional monthly administrations may be necessary when clinical evaluation of the animal or skin scrapings so advise.
Contraindications of NexGard for Dogs
Contraindications for NexGard in dogs are very rare and limited to:
- Cases of hypersensitivity to afoxolaner or to any excipient: such as starch, soy protein or povidone.
- Due to the lack of available data, its administration to puppies less than 8 weeks old and/or weighing less than 2 kg is not recommended: if used in these animals, the veterinarian must evaluate the risk/benefit of its administration.
NexGard for Dogs Side Effects
NexGard is considered a safe drug, since adverse reactions occur very rarely (less than 1 animal per 10,000 animals treated).
However, the following side effects are described in the drug's data sheet:
- Mild gastrointestinal signs: such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Do not hesitate to take a look at these other articles on Vomiting in dogs: causes and treatment or Types of diarrhea in dogs to learn more about the subject.
- Pruritus.
- Lethargy.
- Anorexia: discover more about Anorexia in dogs: its causes, diagnosis and treatment, here.
- Neurological signs: seizures, ataxia and muscle tremors. Read this article on our site about Seizures in Dogs: Causes, Treatment, and What to Do.
How much does NexGard for dogs cost?
The price of NexGard for Dogs varies depending on the concentration. In the following list we collect its approximate price:
- NexGard 11 mg: €20, 3 tablets (€6.7/tablet).
- NexGard 28 mg: €21, 3 tablets (€7/tablet).
- NexGard 68 mg: €24, 3 tablets (€8/tablet).
- NexGard 136 mg: €29, 3 tablets (€9.70/tablet).
Isoxazolines, including afoxolaner, are a new class of ectoparasiticides designed for use in domestic animals. The fact that they are relatively new synthetic molecules means that their price may be somewhat higher than that of other antiparasitic drugs that have been used for decades. However, its use offers a series of advantages that can make many caregivers opt for this drug to treat or prevent external parasites in their dogs. Among the main advantages of NexGard for dogs, there are:
- Your powerful, effective and lasting effect: against fleas, ticks and mites.
- Your fast and sustained activity over time.
- Su palatability: NexGard is presented in the form of chewable tablets that are appetizing and tasty for dogs, thus avoiding problems of rejection often caused by conventional drugs taken by mouth.
- Its administration by oral route offers advantages over drugs that are administered topically (in spot on, sprays, etc.), since in the latter the bath can interfere with the effectiveness of the product.
