How Does Nexgard Work? How It Works for Your Dog?

Thanks to its active component, Afoxolaner, Nexgard is effective in the fight against fleas and ticks. Afoxolaner, an insecticide and acaricide that targets invertebrates’ central nervous systems, starts to work quickly to kill fleas within four hours of ingestion and continues to work for a full month to provide relief from fleas and ticks.

But, how Nexgard works for your dog? Is it safe to give NexGard to dogs? Don’t worry, I will explain all the essential things you shuold keep in mind.

Nexgard kills parasites but is safe for use on pets because it targets invertebrates’ nervous systems rather than mammals’. Nexgard targets insects as they bite by directly entering the bloodstream as opposed to other flea and tick medications, which enter the tissue beneath your dog’s skin to work.

Critical Point to Know About Nexgard

It’s important for pet parents to understand that Nexgard is only made for dogs. Cats should not be given it, for this reason. Cats may suffer fatal consequences because of their unique anatomy.

Quality and Authenticity

One benefit of Nexgard is that it is manufactured by Merial, which also produces Frontline Plus, the most well-liked flea and tick spot-on. The product becomes more authentic by twofold as a result.

How Safe is Nexgard for Dogs?

Regarding safety, numerous studies revealed that there was absolutely no chance of any effects on physical examination, body weight, food consumption, or organ weights during a well-controlled field trial. However, there weren’t many cases of vomiting reported, which indicated that the symptoms eventually went away.

In addition, Nexgard was combined with other medications in a carefully monitored field study, including steroids, anesthetics, vaccines, antibiotics, and anthelmintics, to see how closely the other medications affected Nexgard’s reactivity. Nexgard was used in conjunction with other treatments without causing any negative side effects, it was found. Therefore, using Nexgard in conjunction with other treatments is completely safe.

The American Drug Society has recently issued a warning that this flea and tick treatment may cause neurological problems in some dogs with a medical history, including seizures, muscle tremors, and ataxia. As a result, even though Nexgard is thought to be safe and effective for use in dogs, the government healthcare community advises pet owners to consult a veterinarian first as a precaution.

Effectiveness of This New Chemical Ingredient – Afoxolaner

The product has undergone rigorous and extensive testing due to its high efficacy and safety measurements.

A 90-day field experiment was carried out by researchers in homes with various levels of flea infestations. The results showed that Nexgard had 98.0%, 99.7%, and 99.9% efficacy against fleas on Days 30, 60, and 90, respectively.

Furthermore, the results from the carefully monitored laboratory studies showed 97% efficacy against fleas and 92.3% effectiveness against ticks.

Nexgard eliminates fleas before they lay eggs, according to the studies’ overall findings, which were obtained in both the field and the lab. This aids in effectively eradicating current flea infestations as well as preventing future flea infestations from occurring after the start of treatment.

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Is It Safe to Give NexGard to Dogs?

NexGard can be administered to dogs without risk. When a dog weighs more than four pounds and when a puppy is older than eight weeks, NexGard can be used safely.

The Boehringer Ingelheim Group, the United States’ trademarked manufacturer of Frontline, has developed NexGard, a new generation product. The first product of its kind, NexGard kills both ticks and fleas.

Since NexGard requires a prescription, pet owners who want to treat their dogs with this ground-breaking product must first speak with a veterinarian and obtain a prescription.

What is NexGard Used for in Dogs?

For the treatment of canine tick and flea infestations, the FDA has approved NexGard. It can also be used off-label to treat canine mange, though. Let’s examine what NexGard accomplishes in canines.

NexGard for Dog Control for ticks and fleas. NexGard controls pest infestations by working against the cat flea called Ctenocephalides felis and several tick species, including the black-legged (deer) tick (Ixodes scapularis), the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), and the Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum).

Dogs with NexGard Against Vector Diseases. Nexgard shields dogs from a number of diseases as a direct result of eliminating ticks and fleas. For example, by killing Ixodes scapularis vector ticks, it prevents Borrelia burgdorferi infections (In dogs with flea allergy dermatitis (a condition caused by Lyme disease), it also prevents flea allergy dermatitis.

NexGard for Canine Mange. Dogs with mange (sarcoptic and demodectic) may be treated with NexGard off-label. Scabies and demodicosis are frequent parasitic infections in dogs, particularly in puppies and adults with compromised immune systems. Typically, NexGard is prescribed along with additional therapies and drugs.

The Pros of Dogs Taking NexGard

• The chew is soft and beef flavoured so dogs like it – created with soy protein and a braised beef flavour
• It kills Fleas fast – it starts to kill within 4 hours and has killed all fleas that land on the dog within 8 hours
• It kills Ticks – Indluding paralysis ticks
• If your dog is particularly picky, you can hide the chew in food for an easier way to administer the medication. You can give it with or without a meal.
• Nexgard can be safely given to all breeds of dogs
• Puppies can have it from 8 weeks of age ( however please note they do have to also be over 2kg)
• Kills fleas before they can lay eggs so it breaks the cycle
• With Nexgard your dog can swim and be bathed as it can not wash off
• No messy liquids
• No need to seperate the dog after treatment from other pets or members of the family
• Can be given to dogs of all ages
• Different weight range products for dogs of all shapes and sizes
• Ticks can’t hide; they are frequently discovered in dogs’ gums, around their eyes, inside their ears, and even in their anuses. Topcial products will not always treat these ticks
• Safe to use with other medications including antibiotics
• Made by Merial, who provides excellent technical support and stands behind their products. They even have a free call number to assist anyone with any questions or queries.

The Cons of Dogs Taking NexGard

NexGard can cause side effects in some dogs, including dry, flaky skin, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact your veterinarian as soon as you become aware of any of these problems.

In dogs that are breeding, pregnant, or nursing, NexGard’s safety has not yet been fully established. Additionally, using NexGard in dogs with a history of seizures and neurological conditions calls for extra caution. Afoxolaner, the active ingredient, is known to cause allergic reactions in some dogs, so it should obviously never be used on them.

NexGard Dosage for Dogs

For dogs, the minimal dose of NexGard is 1.14 mg per pound of body weight (or 2.5 mg per kilogram). For simple use, the NexGard chewable tablets come in four predetermined dosages:

• NexGard Chew for Dogs, 4-10 lbs, (Orange Box)
• NexGard Chew for Dogs, 10.1-24 lbs, (Blue Box)
• NexGard Chew for Dogs, 24.1-60 lbs, (Purple Box)
• NexGard Chew for Dogs, 60.1-121 lbs, (Red Box).

NexGard chewable tablets should be taken in combination for dogs that weigh more than 120 pounds at the time of administration.

If you forget to give your dog NexGard, give the chew as soon as you remember, and then continue with your 30-day dosing schedule. Alternately, skip the missed dose and carry on with the original schedule if it is time for the subsequent dose. Give no more than one NexGard dose at a time, regardless.

How Long Does It Take for NexGard to Start Working?

As soon as NexGard is applied, the majority of fleas and ticks on your dog will die. Within eight hours of exposure, NexGard typically begins to kill fleas, and within forty-eight hours, it begins to kill ticks.

We should point out that for a few days after using NexGard, you will continue to see fleas on the dog if there is a severe flea infestation in the home.

This is due to the fact that the fleas will continue to jump on the dog in search of blood meals and die once they do. Your ability to quickly get rid of the infestation depends on how many fleas jump.

Final Words

Puppies as young as eight weeks old and larger dogs can use Nexgard because it has undergone testing and been given the all-clear. The chews come in multiple doses for dogs of all sizes and are also safe to give to dogs who are already taking other medications. Nexgard is effective for use on pets that swim and are frequently washed because it is administered internally, saving you the hassle of messy topical treatments.

Nexgard should not be administered to pregnant, nursing, or breeding dogs because it has not been tested for use in pet breeding. In order to give your dog effective protection against fleas and ticks in a single tasty chew every month, discuss Nexgard for dogs with your veterinarian.

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