NexGard Review: The Next thing in Flea and Tick Prevention

Some medications only protect your dog against fleas, and some are only for ticks. Most are topical solutions that are messy and difficult to apply. Why not use a medication that kills both fleas and ticks, and that is easy to use? With NexGard Chewables, you can have it all. NexGard is a new, chewable medication that protects your dog from fleas and ticks. Made by the same company that created Frontline Plus, you know that you will be getting a quality product that is safe and effective. Let’s take a look at what NexGard can do for your dog.

NexGard Chewables

NexGard is the latest innovation from the makers of Frontline products, which are among the most popularly vet-prescribed flea and tick medications. This isn’t like a pill that you are going to have trouble giving to your dog. These chewables are a beef-flavored chew that dogs love. One dose will protect your dog against fleas and ticks for 30 days. You don’t have to try and find the right spot to apply a topical medication, and it isn’t going to wash off if your dog gets wet. NexGard can also be taken with heartworm medication.

NexGard Chewables kill adult fleas almost instantly when they try to feed. This means that there is no chance of them laying any eggs, and you won’t have to worry about an infestation. It can also kill three different kinds of ticks: the American dog tick, the lone star tick, and the deer or black-legged tick. This lowers the chances that your dog is going to develop a deadly disease that comes from ticks.

In order to treat your dog with NexGard, it must be prescribed by your veterinarian. This is not an over-the-counter medication for pets. It is used for dogs and puppies older than eight weeks. Do not use this medication on cats; instead, use the cat-friendly version. NexGard is also not meant for other pets, or for horses.

How Does NexGard Work?

The main active ingredient in NexGard Chewables is afoxolaner, which quickly and safely absorbs into the bloodstream after ingestion. This drug attacks the fleas’ and ticks’ nervous systems which leads to death. The drug slowly goes through your dog’s metabolism, allowing the medication to be effective for 30 days.

Benefits of NexGard Chewables

One of the best things about NexGard Chewables is the fact that they are so easy to administer to dogs. Instead of having to try and force feed a pill or hide it in their food, or struggle with messy topical solutions, this is a tasty, beef-flavored chew. Your dog will think he is getting a treat, but you will know that it is much more than that. Some of the benefits of using NexGard Chewables include:

• Chewable Form – This is a chewable that is tasty, and small enough to be easy for dogs to chew and digest
• Safe for You – You don’t need to worry about getting flea medication on your hands, because this is an oral medication that involves no mess
• Safe for Your Dog – This medication is FDA-approved, and is safe and effective, lasting up to 30 days. It can be taken with other medications, including heartworm medication

How to Give NexGard Chewables to Your Dog

You need to get NexGard from your vet, and the dosage will depend on your dog’s weight (see chart below). While there are no serious side effects, it is possible that your dog may automatically vomit, which means that you will have to administer another treatment. This is to be given in the form of a treat, but it can also be mixed in with their regular food. If you have more than one pet in the home, it is important to treat all of them with the proper medication, in order to avoid repeating flea and tick infestations.

Many flea and tick medications require that you give some larger dogs more than one dose. For most dogs, one dose of NexGard Chewables will do the trick.

Before administering NexGard Chewables to your dog, ask your vet about the correct dosage to be on the safe side. You can begin treatment any time throughout the year, and treatments should be year-round; fleas and ticks don’t just happen in the summer months. This medication can be given with or without food. For the best results, watch to ensure that your dog has eaten the full chew.

Things to be Aware of

We mentioned treating all other pets in the house for fleas and ticks. Make sure that you use medications that are specific to those pets. NexGard Chewables are not for cats or horses. Store this medication at or below 86° F.

If your dog is pregnant or lactating, or has a history of seizures, talk to your vet to find out if this is the best choice of flea and tick medication for your dog. There are no complete studies as of yet as to how this medication affects pregnant dogs, so it may be safer to use a medication that is known to be okay for dogs that are pregnant or nursing. Potential side effects can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, and dry or flaky skin.

Conclusion

If you want to protect your dog against diseases caused by fleas and ticks, and you don’t want to use a messy, topical solution, ask your vet about NexGard Chewables. This medication is more like a treat for your dog, so giving it to them will not be a problem. Remember, this is not safe for humans. Keep this, and any other medication out of the reach of children at all times. If ingested, immediately contact your physician or poison control.