NexGard Question & Answer

NexGard SPECTRA is a very common treat in Australia used to treat and prevent fleas, ticks, mites and worms. Whether this is your first dog and unfamiliar with caring for your canine friend or have several in the family already, I thought I might compile a list of questions typically asked regarding NexGard SPECTRA so you feel more comfortable about the product. I have added a list of questions, so if you are looking for something in particular, you can find it straight away. I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.

1. WHAT IS NEXGARD SPECTRA?

2. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEXGARD AND NEXGARD SPECTRA?

3. HOW DOES NEXGARD SPECTRA KILL FLEAS

4. WHY DO I SEE MORE FLEAS ON MY DOG AFTER USING NEXGARD SPECTRA?

5. WILL NEXGARD SPECTRA HELP TO CONTROL FLEA ALLERGY DERMATITIS (FAD)?

6. WHICH SPECIES OF TICK DOES NEXGARD SPECTRA KILL?

7. HOW LONG DOES NEXGARD SPECTRA KEEP MY DOG PROTECTED FROM TICKS?

8. DOES NEXGARD SPECTRA PROTECT AGAINST MITES?

9. COULD MY DOG HAVE MITES?

10. HOW DO DOGS GET HEARTWORM?

11. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HEARTWORM DISEASE?

12. CAN HEARTWORM DISEASE BE TREATED?

10. HOW DO DOGS GET HEARTWORM?

11. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HEARTWORM DISEASE?

12. CAN HEARTWORM DISEASE BE TREATED?

13. AM I ABLE SWITCH FROM MY CURRENT HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE TO NEXGARD SPECTRA?

14. CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE GIVEN TO DOGS WITH HEARTWORM DISEASE?

15. WHY DOESN’T NEXGARD SPECTRA COVER TAPEWORMS?

16. HOW DO I GIVE MY DOG NEXGARD SPECTRA?

17. WHAT DO THE NEXGARD SPECTRA LOOK LIKE?

18. WHY MONTHLY TREATMENTS?

19. SHOULD I WATCH MY DOG TO ENSURE THAT IT HAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED THE NEXGARD OR NEXGARD SPECTRA CHEW?

20. WHAT AGE CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE USED FROM?

21. CAN I USE NEXGARD SPECTRA MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH?

22. CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE SPLIT SO I CAN DOSE MORE THAN ONE DOG?

23. CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE USED FOR DOGS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES?

24. CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE USED FOR OTHER PETS?

25. MY DOG IS LESS THAN 2KGS, CAN I USE NEXGARD SPECTRA?

26. CAN I USE NEXGARD SPECTRA IF MY DOG IS PREGNANT OR LACTATING?

27. HOW DO I DOSE A DOG THAT WEIGHS MORE THAN 60 KG WITH NEXGARD SPECTRA?

28. WHAT ARE THE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN NEXGARD SPECTRA?

HERE WE GO!

1. WHAT IS NEXGARD SPECTRA?

NexGard Spectra is a beef flavoured treat that provides protections from flea, ticks (brown dog tick, bush tick, paralysis tick), mites, heartworm and intestinal worms for dogs. NexGard Spectra should be given once monthly all year round to ensure that your dog doesn’t get exposed to any of these parasites.

2. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEXGARD AND NEXGARD SPECTRA?

You may wonder “why should I get NexGard Spectra over just the regular NexGard”? Both contain the same active ingredient afoxolaner, which protects against your fleas, ticks and mites, however, NexGard Spectra also contains milbemycin oxime which provides protection against heartworm and intestinal worms. NexGard SPECTRA provides more complete to provide safety for your dog and easy convenience for yourself, I would highly recommend using Nexgard SPECTRA.

3. HOW DOES NEXGARD SPECTRA KILL FLEAS?

NexGard SPECTRA kill fleas by over-stimulating their nervous system, which ultimately results in death. This occurs within 6–8 hours of product administration. The rapid speed of action means adult fleas are killed before they can lay eggs, helping to prevent infestation of the environment. Regular monthly treatments is recommended to keep your pet and home flea free.

4. WHY DO I SEE MORE FLEAS ON MY DOG AFTER USING NEXGARD SPECTRA?

As NexGard SPECTRA over-stimulate the flea’s nervous system resulting in hyper-excitation, you may see fleas rise to the top of your dog’s coat and appear more visible as they die.

5. WILL NEXGARD SPECTRA HELP TO CONTROL FLEA ALLERGY DERMATITIS (FAD)?

NexGard SPECTRA is ideal choices for dogs with flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) due to their rapid speed of kill and month-long protection against fleas. For dogs with a flea allergy, monthly treatment with NexGard SPECTRA should continue without interruption. To minimise the likelihood of flea re-infestation, it is important to treat all animals within a household with a registered flea control product, feel free to contact us for extra information.

6. WHICH SPECIES OF TICK DOES NEXGARD SPECTRA KILL?

NexGard SPECTRA is effective at killing the brown dog ticks, bush ticks and the deadly paralysis ticks. These species are most common is Australia.

7. HOW LONG DOES NEXGARD SPECTRA KEEP MY DOG PROTECTED FROM TICKS?

NexGard SPECTRA will protect your dog from ticks for a month.

8. DOES NEXGARD SPECTRA PROTECT AGAINST MITES?

NexGard SPECTRA protect dogs against mites. Just one monthly chew will treat and control three of the most common mites infesting dogs: Demodex mites, Sarcoptes mites (also known as scabies) and Otodectes, or ear mites.

9. COULD MY DOG HAVE MITES?

There are some signs to look out, if you suspect your dog to have mites. Intense itching, hair loss, and skin infections are the most common. Other symptoms might include red scaly skin, starting in areas of thin hair, such as in the armpits and groin. NexGard SPECTRA can protect your dog from mites, however, if the symptoms persist, a vet is recommended for further investigation.

10. HOW DO DOGS GET HEARTWORM?

Heartworms are transmitted from one dog to another by mosquitoes, which pick up tiny immature heartworms, called microfilariae, when they bite an infected dog. Larvae develop in the mosquito and are transmitted when the infected mosquito bites another dog. I highly recommend keeping up to do with your treatment of NexGard SPECTRA so your 4-legged friends don’t become infected.

11. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HEARTWORM DISEASE?

The signs of heartworm disease include coughing, difficulty breathing, sluggishness and less energy for exercise in your dog. Signs will become progressively easier to notice as the disease develops so it’s important that you visit your veterinarian immediately. Late stage heartworm disease causes serious harm to your dog’s heart and lungs, and if left untreated, can result in severe disability or fatality.

12. CAN HEARTWORM DISEASE BE TREATED?

It is possible to treat heart worm disease, however, it is expensive and can be risky for your dog if it has started presenting with symptoms. Preventing dogs from acquiring heartworm disease with NexGard SPECTRA is the healthiest strategy for your puppy or dog.

13. AM I ABLE SWITCH FROM MY CURRENT HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE TO NEXGARD SPECTRA?

If you are changing medication to NexGard SPECTRA, you must give your dog its tablet before the previous treatment was to expire. This will avoid any break in heartworm prevention. If your dog’s heartworm prevention has lapsed, please speak to your veterinarian for specific advise on what to for your dog.

14. CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE GIVEN TO DOGS WITH HEARTWORM DISEASE?

According to NexGard, “NexGard SPECTRA in heartworm positive dogs has not been evaluated”. For further information, speak to your veterinarian.

15. WHY DOESN’T NEXGARD SPECTRA COVER TAPEWORMS?

NexGard SPECTRA doesn’t kill pre-existing tapeworms in dogs because the active ingredient to do so is bitter and unfavourable to dogs. It does however kill flea tapeworm infestations, so it is important to get onto treatment as soon as your puppy is over 2kgs. To control existing tapeworm infestations use ParaGard or visit your vet for more information.

16. HOW DO I GIVE MY DOG NEXGARD SPECTRA?

NexGard SPECTRA is for ingestion only and can be given with or without food, just remember to remove the foil-backed blister card. NexGard SPECTRA can be readily consumed by dogs as a treat or alternatively, it can also be broken into pieces and fed to your dog in a meal.

17. WHAT DO THE NEXGARD SPECTRA LOOK LIKE?

NexGard SPECTRA are a reddish brown, circular (2–3.5kg) or rectangular shaped (3.6–7.5kg; 7.6–15kg; 15.1–30kg; 30.1–60kg) treat.

18. WHY MONTHLY TREATMENTS?

NexGard SPECTRA is given monthly to ensure that the active ingredients to prevent all the nasties doesn’t lapse (stop working). I find it very easy with monthly doses to remember when to give my dog his treat.

19. SHOULD I WATCH MY DOG TO ENSURE THAT IT HAS COMPLETELY CONSUMED THE NEXGARD OR NEXGARD SPECTRA CHEW?

It is advised that you ensure the complete dose of NexGard SPECTRA is consumed and is not rejected by your dog. If you suspect only partial treatment, treat again with another full treat.

20. WHAT AGE CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE USED FROM?

NexGard SPECTRA can be given to your puppy from just 8 weeks of age, providing they weigh at least 2kgs.

21. CAN I USE NEXGARD SPECTRA MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH?

It is not required or recommended to treat more frequently than needed. To ensure your dog is always protected, aim to dose your dog on the same day every month. I use a reminder on my phone so I don’t forget.

22. CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE SPLIT SO I CAN DOSE MORE THAN ONE DOG?

No, you’re at risk of under-dosing your dogs. In order to ensure your dog receives the correct dose and parasite protection, they must consume the entire treat appropriate for their weight.

23. CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE USED FOR DOGS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES?

NexGard SPECTRA does contain soy proteins, but no animal meat proteins (including in the beef-flavouring), and are gluten free. Use with caution in dogs with a known hypersensitivity too soy. Please consult your veterinarian before administering NexGard SPECTRA if your dog is undergoing a food trial.

24. CAN NEXGARD SPECTRA BE USED FOR OTHER PETS?

Unfortunately not, NexGard SPECTRA treats are only for dogs.

25. MY DOG IS LESS THAN 2KGS, CAN I USE NEXGARD SPECTRA?

NexGard SPECTRA is not recommended for dogs under 2kgs, speak with your vet for parasite control options if your dog is under 2kgs.

26. CAN I USE NEXGARD SPECTRA IF MY DOG IS PREGNANT OR LACTATING?

NexGard SPECTRA has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant or lactating bitches. Consult your veterinarian for advice on suitable treatment options.

27. HOW DO I DOSE A DOG THAT WEIGHS MORE THAN 60 KG WITH NEXGARD SPECTRA?

An appropriate combination of treats if required for full protection. Examples would be;

65kg dog: 1x 30.1–60kgs treat + 1x3.6–7.5kg treat.

70kg dog: 1x 30.1–60kgs treat + 1x7.6–15kgs treat.

28. WHAT ARE THE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS IN NEXGARD SPECTRA?

Afoxolaner and Milbemycin oxime.