As a pet owner, one of your primary concerns is your furry friend’s health and safety. Fleas, ticks, and heartworm are among the most common and dangerous parasites that can affect your pets.
These parasites not only cause discomfort but can also lead to serious health issues, some of which can even be life-threatening. Fortunately, there are effective ways to protect your pets from these parasites, and one of the most trusted solutions is NexGard Plus.
NexGard Plus is a comprehensive treatment designed to protect both dogs and cats from a range of harmful parasites. This oral medication is effective against fleas, ticks, and heartworm, as well as several other intestinal parasites.
How NexGard Plus Keeps Your Pet Safe From Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworm
What is NexGard Plus?
NexGard Plus is an advanced, veterinarian-recommended medication used to prevent and treat flea and tick infestations and protect against heartworm in pets. It combines the active ingredients afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime to provide broad-spectrum protection.
Afoxolaner: This ingredient is an insecticide and acaricide that targets fleas and ticks, effectively killing these parasites on contact by interfering with their nervous system. It works by disrupting their ability to transmit nerve impulses, leading to paralysis and death.
Milbemycin Oxime: This ingredient targets heartworm and intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. It works by inhibiting the parasites’ ability to develop, effectively preventing heartworm disease and controlling intestinal worm infestations.
NexGard Plus is available as a chewable tablet, making it easy for pets to consume. It provides long-lasting protection, typically lasting for 30 days, and is administered once a month.
How NexGard Plus Protects Against Fleas
Fleas are one of the most common external parasites that affect dogs and cats. These tiny insects can cause severe itching, discomfort, and allergic reactions. Fleas are also capable of transmitting other parasites, such as tapeworms, and can lead to significant skin infections.
How NexGard Plus Works on Fleas:
NexGard Plus kills fleas quickly after ingestion, providing rapid relief from flea infestations. The afoxolaner in NexGard Plus targets fleas by disrupting their nerve impulses, causing paralysis and death within hours. It is highly effective in eliminating adult fleas and preventing flea infestations from taking hold.
Immediate Action: Once NexGard Plus is ingested, it spreads throughout your pet’s bloodstream and tissue. As fleas bite your pet, they are exposed to the medication, which kills them rapidly.
Long-Lasting Protection: NexGard Plus continues to kill fleas for a full 30 days, preventing new flea infestations and providing consistent protection against flea-related issues.
This medication also prevents fleas from reproducing, helping to control the flea population and preventing future infestations. It is particularly important for pets that spend time outdoors, as they are at higher risk of picking up fleas from their environment.
How NexGard Plus Protects Against Ticks
Ticks are another common external parasite that can transmit diseases to your pets. These small arachnids can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis, all of which can cause long-term health problems. Ticks are often found in grassy, wooded areas, making outdoor pets especially vulnerable.
How NexGard Plus Works on Ticks:
NexGard Plus provides comprehensive protection against ticks, killing them on contact and preventing them from transmitting diseases.
Quick Action: Afoxolaner works by targeting the tick’s nervous system, causing paralysis and death once the tick feeds on the pet’s blood. The medication works fast, killing ticks within hours of exposure.
Broad Spectrum Protection: NexGard Plus is effective against several types of ticks, including the black-legged tick (which spreads Lyme disease), the American dog tick, and the brown dog tick. By eliminating ticks before they have a chance to attach and feed, NexGard Plus helps prevent the transmission of tick-borne diseases.
Ticks are a major health concern, and the longer a tick is attached to your pet, the greater the risk of disease transmission. NexGard Plus helps minimize this risk by killing ticks quickly, even before they have a chance to transmit harmful pathogens.
How NexGard Plus Prevents Heartworm
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart and lungs of infected pets. The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Heartworms can cause severe damage to the heart, lungs, and other organs, and in some cases, they can be fatal if left untreated.
How NexGard Plus Works on Heartworm Prevention:
Milbemycin oxime, one of the key ingredients in NexGard Plus, is highly effective in preventing heartworm disease by targeting the heartworm larvae.
Prevention: When a pet is exposed to infected mosquitoes, they can carry larvae into your pet’s bloodstream. Milbemycin oxime works by killing the heartworm larvae before they can develop into adult worms and cause damage to the heart and lungs. This prevents the onset of heartworm disease in pets.
Continuous Protection: NexGard Plus provides continuous protection against heartworms when given monthly. By preventing the development of heartworm larvae, it ensures that your pet remains heartworm-free, even if they are exposed to infected mosquitoes.
While NexGard Plus cannot treat an existing heartworm infection, it is highly effective at preventing the disease in the first place. Prevention is critical because treating heartworm disease can be expensive, invasive, and sometimes dangerous for your pet.
By using NexGard Plus regularly, you can help ensure your pet’s heart remains healthy and free from parasites.
How NexGard Plus Helps Control Intestinal Worms
In addition to protecting against fleas, ticks, and heartworm, NexGard Plus also provides broad-spectrum protection against certain intestinal worms, including:
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
These worms can cause a variety of symptoms in pets, including vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy, and in severe cases, organ damage. Milbemycin oxime is highly effective in killing these parasites, helping to maintain your pet’s gastrointestinal health and preventing the spread of these infections.
READ ALSO: When to Use Metronidazole for Dogs
Benefits of NexGard Plus
Convenience: NexGard Plus is a chewable tablet that pets love, making it easy to administer. Unlike topical treatments, it doesn’t require the application of messy liquids, and it’s not affected by water, so pets can swim or bathe without losing effectiveness.
All-in-One Protection: Instead of using separate medications for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, NexGard Plus combines all of these into one convenient treatment.
Long-Lasting Effectiveness: The medication remains effective for 30 days, ensuring your pet is continuously protected from parasites.
Safety: NexGard Plus is safe for dogs and cats when used as directed, and it has been extensively tested for both safety and effectiveness.
How to Administer NexGard Plus
NexGard Plus should be given once a month, ideally on the same day each month to ensure continuous protection. Here’s how to administer the medication:
1. Choose the Right Dose: Make sure you select the correct dosage based on your pet’s weight. NexGard Plus is available in different strengths to accommodate pets of all sizes.
2. Give It with Food: While NexGard Plus can be given on an empty stomach, giving it with food may improve absorption and make the treat more palatable for your pet.
3. Consistency is Key: Administer the medication every month for continuous protection. If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember, but don’t double up the dose.
FAQs
Is NexGard Plus safe for my pet?
Yes, NexGard Plus is safe for both dogs and cats when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It has been extensively tested and is recommended by veterinarians as a safe and effective preventive treatment.
How quickly does NexGard Plus start working?
NexGard Plus starts working within hours of administration. Fleas and ticks are killed quickly after biting your pet, and heartworm larvae are eliminated before they can cause damage.
Can NexGard Plus be used for puppies and kittens?
NexGard Plus is safe for puppies and kittens that are at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds. Always consult your veterinarian before starting any medication for young pets.
Does NexGard Plus protect against all types of fleas and ticks?
NexGard Plus is highly effective against many common species of fleas and ticks, including those that transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. It is important to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for your specific geographic area.
Can I use NexGard Plus with other medications?
NexGard Plus is generally safe to use with other medications, but it’s always best to consult your veterinarian if your pet is on any other treatments to ensure there are no interactions.
What should I do if I miss a dose of NexGard Plus?
If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular monthly schedule. Do not give two doses at once.
Leave a Reply