NexGard Allergies in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 09/11/2016Updated: 10/21/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
NexGard Allergies in Dogs - Signs, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What are NexGard Allergies?
NexGard is a flea and tick protection system that comes in a chewable pill for dogs. This tasty and soft chew has been approved by the FDA and is considered safe for dogs. The active ingredient, afoxolaner, has been proven to effectively treat and control ticks and fleas for one month when given regularly. This item is from the makers of Frontline.
Although many dogs tolerate NexGard quite well, there are specific side effects that are listed on the label. When you are giving your dog this chewable tablet, it is essential to be familiar with the side effects that can occur. If your dog does have adverse effects to this medication, consult your veterinarian without delay.
Many flea and tick treatments do come with warnings about side effects; however, it is vital you give your dog some sort of flea and tick preventative to avoid Lyme disease and other conditions caused by flea and tick infestations. This is especially important if your dog goes outside on a regular basis and if you live in an environment where fleas and ticks are very common.
NexGard allergies in dogs occur when dogs have an allergic reaction to or suffer from side-effects of this popular flea and tick treatment. The active ingredient, afoxolaner, may not agree with all dogs that ingest this oral preventative.
Paying to treat an allergic reaction to NexGard out of pocket can be a major financial burden. Fortunately, most pet insurance companies reimburse claims within 3 days, putting 90% of the bill back in your pocket. In the market for pet insurance? Compare leading pet insurance companies to find the right plan for your pet.
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Average Cost
$400
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Symptoms of NexGard Allergies in Dogs
Signs of an adverse reaction to NexGard will vary from dog to dog. Frequently diagnosed reactions to this flea and tick treatment include:
  • Dry and flaky skin
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Lack of energy 
Types
There are various types of active ingredients in flea and tick treatments which include:
  • Pyrethrins
  • Pyrethroids
  • Etofenprox
  • Fipronil
  • Methoprene
  • Methylcarbamate
  • Imidacloprid
  • Amitraz
  • Selamectin
  • Nitenpyram
  • Fluralaner
  • Sarolaner
  • Lotilaner
Causes of NexGard Allergies in Dogs
Causes of NexGard reactions in dogs are primarily due to a reaction to the active ingredient, afoxolaner. Specific causes include:
  • The hypersensitivity towards the main ingredient
  • An over-reactive immune system
  • Afoxolaner causing skin irritation to the sensitive skin of the dog
Diagnosis of NexGard Allergies in Dogs
If you have recently started giving your dog NexGard and they are showing signs of a reaction, it is crucial to stop giving them the preventative medication and contact your veterinarian. When you take your dog to the clinic, take the package of this flea and tick preventative treatment to help the veterinarian come to a diagnosis. The veterinarian will take a closer look at the ingredients, asking questions pertaining to when the signs began.
To come to a diagnosis, the clinical team might perform various tests, such as blood work, urinalysis, and a biochemistry profile. Depending on your dog’s signs, your veterinarian may want to perform other assessments; however, this will depend on your dog's present condition.
If your dog has skin irritation, the medical professional will take a closer look to determine if a skin test is required to be sure the inflammation and soreness is a result of the NexGard. Your veterinarian may decide to wait before a costly test is conducted; once your dog stops taking the tablets, the signs may resolve. It is important to understand that this may take some time, as this flea and tick treatment is given once a month, and it may still be in their system for up to 30 days. Once your veterinarian suspects that your dog is allergic to the product, they will advise you to stop giving your companion the treatment and will recommend an alternative method to help prevent fleas and ticks.
Treatment of NexGard Allergies in Dogs
Effective treatment of a NexGard reaction will be to stop administering this chewable pill to your dog. Unfortunately, there is no immediate clinical method to remove the drug from your pet's system but depending on your dog's condition, supportive treatment may be offered. Treatment methods that can help in the meantime are:
Topical Medications
Applying a topical medication to your dog’s skin, if the reaction caused a skin irritation, will ease the sensitivity and discomfort. Topical medications may help your dog stop itching and licking the skin.
Alternate Preventatives
Finding an alternate preventative for your dog’s flea and tick treatment is essential. You may want to research other alternatives to keep your dog free of these parasites. Do not try to treat the fleas and ticks without consulting your vet in case your dog has a sensitivity to other products. Your medical professional can also suggest specific flea and tick treatments.
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Recovery of NexGard Allergies in Dogs
If your dog is often outdoors it will be important to find protection against infestations that works for them, yet does not include such harsh ingredients. Protecting your pet from fleas and ticks prevents more serious conditions from occurring, such as Lyme disease and other illnesses.
Once you find an alternative that works for your dog, it may take them some time to adjust. Monitor your dog’s skin and coat for infestations to be sure the new preventative is working properly.
If your dog develops signs of a reaction after you have removed the Nexgard chewable from their diet, contact your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may then decide to do further allergy testing to identify the ingredient they are allergic to.
NexGard Allergies Average Cost
From 407 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$400
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NexGard Allergies Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Sheltie, goldendoodle
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9weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Lots Of Diarrhea
I have a puppy that my parents just took from me at 9 weeks of age. Thursday she was given her 2nd puppy shot and yesterday she was given the next guard pill for fleas and ticks. She has extreme diarrhea now for 2 days. Ever since she received that next guard. My parents live on a very restricted in time and had saved to be able to do everything they need to be able to do for the sweet puppy. Is there something we can do from home to help her with the diarrhea?
July 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Puppies are very prone to parasites and infectious diseases like parvovirus, and diarrhea worries me quite a bit. If the puppy is bright and happy and eating otherwise, you can try to feed a bland diet of boiled white chicken and boiled white rice for 2 to 3 days, and see if that helps. If that does not help, the puppy should be seen by a veterinarian. I hope that everything goes well.
July 29, 2020
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Beagle husky mix
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dog-age-icon
7 weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
My puppy was taken to vet on 7/20 at which time she is 6 weeks and 1 day old. She was given nexgard she weighed 4.9 lbs. Was she given this medication to early
July 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. NexGard is licensed in dogs at 8 weeks and 4 lb. We often use medications in what we call an off-label way, if it is appropriate for the pet. If your dog has diarrhea, there may be parasites or infectious disease causing that as well, and it would be best to call your veterinarian, ask if there's anything that you should be worried about, and see if there's anything that they can recommend. I hope that everything goes well for your dog.
July 26, 2020
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French Bulldog
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dog-age-icon
Two Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizure
Dog took Nexgard June 18,2020 (been on for one year) had seizure first time June 22,2020. Second seizure July 24,2020. Can seizure be from Nexgard
July 25, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello- It is very unlikely that it has anything to do with the nexgard. The medication is very safe. Seizures have many different causes including liver dysfunction, epilepsy, infectious causes, and cancerous causes. If you haven’t already it would be a good idea to have her worked up by your veterinarian. If labs are normal you can decide whether you want to have an MRI performed. Her age is a very common time to develop epilepsy.
July 25, 2020
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Pembroke Welsh Corgi
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dog-age-icon
Nine Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Itching
hello, I gave my dog her Nexgard and she has been scratching almost non stop. Is this a side effect ? If so, how long will it last ?
July 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello, Nexguard is usually very safe and does not cause your dog to itch. If your dog is allergic to beef it can cause this type of reaction. If this does not go away after a day, it would be best for your dog to see a vet for allergy medication. I hope that your dog starts to feel better soon.
July 25, 2020
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Rottweiler
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One Year
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My pet has the following symptoms:
No Appetite & Diarrhea
After administering a dose of Nexguard to my dog, she has a poor appetite and intermittent diarrhea. How long will these side effects last? What can I do to help my dog?
July 16, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. NexGard can be hard on the stomach if it is not given with a full meal, and things should resolve within a day or two. You can try offering her a bland diet of boiled white chicken and boiled white rice, and see if that helps for a couple of days. If she is not improving after that, it would probably be best I ever seen by your veterinarian I hope that all goes well for her.
July 16, 2020
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German Shepherd
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Polo
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10 Years
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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Shaking
I have been giving my 10 year old GSD Nexgard for 3 months now and at the beginning it seemed to be handling fine. This month he has started with shakes that not even my vet can explain. We thought it was due to arthritis that he MIGHT be developing, so he prescribed Vetprofen for the pain that he MIGHT be feeling. After reading all these comments I really think I had an AHA moment, which is the reason I came to this website. He is supposed to take his next pill on the 15th (two days from now) and guess where it is going to go.... to the trash! I don’t care if I give to throw the test of them away, my best friend comes first. Thank you all for sharing your experiences!
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Border Collie
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Blue
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Twelve Years
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4 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
Paralysis
Loss Of Appetite
Ataxia
Difficulty Swallowing
Blindness
Death
Deafness
Falling
Tremor
After her dose of Nexgard, my Border Collie had difficulty swallowing and diminished appetite, ataxia, falling, and dry flaky skin. Within a week she was having small focal seizures and a tremor. My vet agreed it was caused by Nexgard and said we would never use it again, but her symptoms continued to worsen. I had her treated with acupuncture and detox, but she worsened and was hospitalized 3 months later for a week with grand mal cluster seizures, and lost her hearing and vision in one eye. We spent months trying to control them with antiseizure meds, but she continued to decline. We filed an adverse event report with Merial, but nothing can replace my girl. This toxic pesticide should be taken off the market and NEVER used on pets. PLEASE do not EVER use or any drug in its class (edible or topical isoxalozines) this on your dog. Look up the FDA warning letter about neurological damage from this that came out in Fall 2018.
NexGard Allergies Average Cost
From 407 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$400
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