Nex Guard for Dogs: Uses, Benefits, and Safety Precautions

Nex Guard for Dogs is a non-toxic, non-irritating product designed to deter dogs from unwanted behavior such as chewing, digging, and barking.

It contains a unique blend of bitter-tasting ingredients that are unappealing to dogs, making it an effective deterrent.

Nex Guard can be applied to various surfaces, including furniture, carpets, and plants, to protect them from damage.

The product is easy to apply and can be reapplied as needed, providing long-lasting protection.

By using Nex Guard, dog owners can save time and money on repairing damaged items and reduce stress caused by their pet's behavior.

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NexGard is a prescription veterinary oral chewable tablet used in dogs for the prevention of heartworms and the treatment and prevention of hookworms, roundworms, fleas, and four types of ticks.

It's used in dogs and puppies eight weeks of age and older, weighing more than four pounds. This is a pretty standard age and weight requirement for many dog medications.

NexGard contains the active ingredient afoxolaner, which is also used to treat demodectic mange, sarcoptic mange, and ear mites in dogs, although this is considered an extra-label use.

Dogs with a history of seizures or neurological disorders should use NexGard with caution, as safety studies have not been performed for these populations.

The manufacturer has tested NexGard for safety in dogs with the MDR1 mutation, and no adverse effects were observed. This is good news for dog owners who may have a dog with this mutation.

NexGard is a prescription-only medication specifically designed for dogs and puppies eight weeks of age and older, weighing four pounds or greater. It's a tasty beef-flavored chew that's easy to give to your dog.

The benefits of NexGard are numerous. It's safe and effective for an entire month, making it a convenient option for dog owners. NexGard is the first flea and tick preventative from the makers of Frontline, and it's FDA-approved.

One of the standout features of NexGard is its unique ingredient, Afoxolaner. This ingredient is rapidly absorbed into your pet's bloodstream, making their blood toxic to insects. This means your pet receives amazing protection in one tasty morsel!

Here are the specific indications for NexGard:

NexGard starts working to kill fleas within four hours and becomes fully effective within 8–24 hours. It takes a bit longer to start working on ticks, but it becomes fully effective within 48–72 hours.

NexGard is a medication that's commonly used to prevent flea and tick infestations in dogs, but like any medication, it's not without its potential risks and side effects.

The safe use of NexGard in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated, so it's essential to consult with your veterinarian before giving it to these types of dogs.

Vomiting is a common side effect of NexGard, and it's usually self-limiting and of short duration.

Some dogs may experience gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.

Rarely, NexGard can cause neurologic side effects, including muscle tremors, loss of balance, and seizures, especially in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders.

It's crucial to use NexGard with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders.

Here are some potential side effects of NexGard, listed in order of frequency:

If you notice any of these side effects or if your dog experiences severe side effects, such as seizures or difficulty walking, contact your veterinarian immediately.

To ensure safe use, keep NexGard out of reach of children and other animals, and wash your hands with soap and water after administration.

It's also essential to follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian and to report any concerns or questions you may have about the use of NexGard.

NexGard is given orally once a month, at the minimum dosage of 1.14 mg/lb (2.5 mg/kg).

You can give NexGard with or without food, but make sure your dog consumes the complete dose. If any part of the dose is lost or refused, you should observe your dog for a few minutes to ensure the complete dose is not lost.

To determine the correct dosage for your dog, you can refer to the dosing schedule below:

If you miss a dose, you should administer NexGard and resume a monthly dosing schedule.

NexGard is given orally once a month, at the minimum dosage of 1.14 mg/lb (2.5 mg/kg). This means you'll need to give your dog the chewable once a month, every month.

The dosage schedule is based on your dog's weight, and it's essential to follow the correct dosage for their size. For example, if your dog weighs between 4.0 to 10.0 lbs, you'll need to give them one 11.3 mg chewable.

Here's a breakdown of the dosage schedule:

You can give NexGard with or without food, but make sure your dog consumes the complete dose. If you suspect that any of the dose has been lost or if vomiting occurs within two hours of administration, redose with another full dose.

NexGard COMBO should be stored at a temperature range of 59-86 F.

Brief exposure to temperatures up to 104 F is acceptable for NexGard COMBO.

Keep the medication in the provided blister packs until ready to use to protect it from moisture and light.

This will help maintain the effectiveness of the medication.

NexGard Chewables contain a single active ingredient: afoxolaner.

The amount of afoxolaner in each chewable varies depending on the dog's weight. For small dogs weighing 4-10 pounds, each chewable contains 11.3 milligrams of afoxolaner.

For medium dogs weighing 10.1-24 pounds, each chewable contains 28.3 milligrams of afoxolaner.

For large dogs weighing 24.1-60 pounds, each chewable contains 68 milligrams of afoxolaner.

For extra large dogs weighing 60-121 pounds, each chewable contains 136 milligrams of afoxolaner.

The chemical composition of afoxolaner is 1-Naphthalenecarboxamide, 4-[5-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-isoxazolyl]-N-[2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl.

Each NexGard Chewable is formulated to provide a minimum afoxolaner dosage of 1.14 milligrams per pound of body weight.

Here's a breakdown of the afoxolaner dosage in each NexGard Chewable size:

NexGard can be used concomitantly with other medications without adverse reactions.

In a well-controlled field study, NexGard was used with other medications like vaccines, anthelmintics, antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDs, anesthetics, and antihistamines.

No adverse reactions were observed from the concomitant use of NexGard with other medications.

When it comes to giving your dog medications, it's essential to consider potential interactions with other treatments.

NexGard can be used concomitantly with other medications without adverse reactions.

In a well-controlled field study, NexGard was used with vaccines, anthelmintics, antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDs, anesthetics, and antihistamines.

However, it's always best to consult with your veterinarian for specific questions about your dog.

NexGard is available by prescription from your vet only. It's essential to work with your veterinarian to determine the best flea and tick prevention plan for you and your dog's specific needs.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions in dogs include vomiting, itching, lethargy, diarrhea, and lack of appetite.

Vomiting and diarrhea are common side effects of NexGard, and they can be caused by gastrointestinal upset.

Itching and dry skin are also possible side effects, and they can be uncomfortable for dogs.

Lethargy, or low energy, is another reported side effect, and it's essential to monitor your dog's behavior and activity level.

Here are some possible side effects of NexGard:

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it's crucial to contact your veterinarian immediately.

If you suspect an overdose of NexGard or NexGard PLUS, contact your veterinarian immediately. Vomiting may be the only sign of an overdose.

NexGard and NexGard PLUS both have a wide margin of safety.

If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency veterinary care or call an animal poison control center, such as Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Consultation fees often apply.

Rarely, an overdose of NexGard COMBO may cause neurological symptoms like loss of balance, muscle tremors, low body temperature, and dilated pupils.

NexGard is highly effective at killing fleas, with >99% effectiveness at eight hours after initial administration.

In laboratory studies, NexGard began to kill fleas four hours after initial administration and demonstrated 100% effectiveness against adult fleas 24 hours post-infestation for 35 days.

NexGard is also effective against different types of ticks, with >97% effectiveness against Dermacentor variabilis, >94% effectiveness against Ixodes scapularis, and >93% effectiveness against Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 48 hours post-infestation for 30 days.

At 72 hours post-infestation, NexGard demonstrated >97% effectiveness against Amblyomma americanum for 30 days.

In a 90-day US field study, NexGard's effectiveness against fleas was 98.0%, 99.7%, and 99.9% on Day 30, 60, and 90 visits compared with baseline, respectively.

Fleas from treated dogs were essentially unable to produce any eggs at subsequent evaluations post-infestation, while fleas from control dogs continued to produce eggs.