NexGard® and NexGard SPECTRA® are highly effective options to treat mites on dogs. They treat and control Sarcoptes mites, Demodex mites and ear mites.
NexGard is a medicine used to treat infestations with fleas and ticks, as well as demodectic and sarcoptic mange (skin infestations caused by two different types of mites) in dogs.
Treatment for mange in dogs
NexGard® and NexGard SPECTRA® provide effective demodectic mange treatment, sarcoptic mange treatment and ear mite treatment for dogs. Two consecutive monthly treatments of NexGard or NexGard SPECTRA are recommended for sarcoptic mange.
The localized form is usually treated with topical medication. The generalized form requires more aggressive treatment, usually in the form of oral or topical medications. There are several 'spot-on' topical treatments, such as moxidectin + imidacloprid (Advantage Multi®, Advocate®) and topical fluralaner (Bravecto®).
Ivermectin (Ivomec®, Eqvalan®) is available as an injectable liquid or oral paste as a deworming agent for production animals. It can be given orally daily as a liquid to dogs to treat demodicosis.
Demodectic mange can resolve on its own in mild cases. It usually takes 1-2 months for mild, localized infections to resolve spontaneously.
In conclusion, this field study confirms that both NexGard® and NexGard Spectra® administered twice one month apart provide an effective and safe treatment against sarcoptic mange in dogs.
Treatment for a mite infestation usually involves a cream, gel, lotion or wash containing an acaricide. An acaricide is a pesticide that kills ticks and mites. Your healthcare provider may recommend: Benzyl benzoate.
Since about 90% of young dogs with demodex will resolve the problem on their own we do not recommend immediate treatment in these cases. If your pet is not uncomfortable and otherwise in good health we recommend a 4-week monitoring period to determine if it will resolve on its own or will require treatment.
If your dog has demodectic mange, you need to bathe twice a week, usually for several weeks. Canine herbalist Rita Hogan recommends neem shampoos for dogs with sarcoptic mange.
NexGard works quickly, entering the bloodstream within 30 minutes of ingestion. It starts killing fleas within 4 hours and ticks within 12 hours. One study found that afoxolaner kills existing fleas within 2 to 6 hours and maintains an average mortality rate of between 97.6% to 100% for 3 weeks after treatment.
How does Nexgard Spectra work? The active substances in Nexgard Spectra work by interfering with the way that signals are passed between nerve cells (neurotransmission) in the nervous system of parasites, resulting in paralysis and death of the parasitic organism. Afoxolaner acts as an 'ectoparasiticide'.
NexGard Combo is an antiparasitic veterinary medicine used to treat mixed infections with external parasites (fleas, ticks or mites) and internal parasites (tapeworm and roundworms) in cats.
Nexgard Spectra does not protect against tapeworm. An additional Tapewormer tablet may be given to achieve complete protection (this is highly recommended if you live in a rural area).
Nexgard Spectra (must be given EVERY month, a lapse in treatment puts your dog at risk!) Covers heartworm, hookworm, round worm, whipworm, fleas and paralysis ticks. Does NOT cover tapeworm and this must be given separately.
Common interventions used for Demodex infestation include metronidazole-based therapies, permethrin, benzoyl benzoate, crotamiton, lindane, and sulfur. Short courses of metronidazole taken orally have shown efficacy in reducing Demodex density.
Most, if not all of the fur should grow back as well. Scar tissue doesn't develop often, but the rest of the dog's body should be covered in fur by the time the dog has been fully treated.
The results showed that the Demodex count dropped to zero in 3 weeks in five patients and in 4 weeks in another two patients without any recurrence 1 month later. These seven patients were younger (59.86 (8.7) year old), and had a mean count of 7.9 (4.1) before treatment.
Dog mites may also continue to live in the environment, such as in their bed or in the carpet, after they or another dog have been contaminated.
Of all the treatment options investigated, tea tree oil has been shown to be the most promising option for killing Demodex mites (Liu 2010). Tea tree oil therapies may be more effective as they are known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti‐inflammatory properties (Liu 2010).
Life cycle
The six-legged larvae hatch after 3-4 days, and the larvae develop into adults in about 7 days. It has a 14-day life cycle[6] [Figure 2]. The total lifespan of a Demodex mite is several weeks. The dead mites decompose inside the hair follicles or sebaceous glands.
These mites aren't crazy about light, so during the day they burrow deep in the eyelash follicles and snooze. They come out at night, while we're sleeping, and have a party — mating and munching on dead skin cells.
Therefore, use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. The safe use of NexGard in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated.” There are two sections of adverse reactions listed on the package insert.
Vomiting may be the only sign of an overdose of Nexgard®. If you suspect an overdose, immediately contact your veterinarian, seek emergency veterinary care, or call an animal poison control center.
No. NexGard should be used in dogs only. Can I administer NexGard more than once a month? Don't re-administer NexGard before the month is through.