In this latest Health Topic article we examine our experiences of using Nexgard and Brevecto flea treatment and its side effects, and the severe impact it can have on dogs.
We now also have an archive page for our ever-growing library of informative topics covering behavioural, care and health articles.
NEXGARD AND BRAVECTO FLEA TREATMENT WARNING
Nexgard and Bravecto flea treatments are often prescribed by vets on a routine basis. Usually once a month. We are told that they are safe, and the risk of side effects is minimal. Sadly, this isn’t the truth. When the statistics are quoted, they are based on reported side effects. To be classed as a reported side effect, an official form must be filled in. This is very rarely done as some vets will not link the illness you are presenting your dog to them for and the application of flea treatment. Vets are assured by pharmaceutical companies that these treatments are safe. Veterinary practices are given incentives by pharmaceutical companies to prescribe such treatments.
In reality, the side effects are much more common than we are led to believe. Thankfully, most of these are minor, like vomiting and diarrhoea. Most of them are temporary. However, some of them are more severe and permanent. Some are even fatal. The risk of fatality may be low, but if it happened to your dog, it doesn’t matter if the statistics are one in a million. It would be devastating. So why even take the slightest risk for something that is not even necessary?
The main ingredient in these treatments is Afoxolaner. Afoxolaner belongs to the Isoxazoline group of chemicals. Here is what the FDA says about Isoxazoline.
“Isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions, including muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures in some dogs and cats; Although most dogs and cats haven’t had neurologic adverse reactions, seizures may occur in animals without a prior history”.
We have had a couple of dogs relinquished to Welfare because they suffered seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy. They had been given Nexgard flea treatment. I have personally seen dogs stagger about like they were drunk after these treatments were administered. I have been in the vet's waiting room when a rottweiler was brought in on a stretcher after having Nexgard administered. Sadly, I have lost count of the side effects I have personally seen. If the side effects are so minimal, why am I seeing so many?
Most concerning to me is the effect these treatments have on a dog’s temperament. A couple of years back, I started to notice that so many of the dogs coming into Welfare had temperament issues. Young dogs that we would probably never be able to home. I was so concerned that I approached the health coordinator of the breed council. At that point, we couldn’t explain why this was. I then received a phone call from a worried owner of a 7-month-old GSD puppy. He needed to relinquish his puppy, but his vet was insisting he euthanised instead. Obviously, he didn’t want to do this. After a long conversation, we agreed that Welfare would take the puppy and if we felt we couldn’t help him and he needed to be euthanised, we would do it and at least we would know that we had tried everything we could. I asked the owner to forward me his veterinary record, which he did.
The first thing that hit me as I read the notes was that Nexgard had started to be given at 8 weeks of age. The first treatment was given the same day the puppy vaccines were given. This in itself would have been an overload of toxins and I cringed. What really caught my attention though was the last 3 entries on the veterinary record.
“Owner presented dog. Dog was walked around the car park. Dog healthy with no issues. Brought dog into surgery and administered Nexgard”.
The next entry was 2 days later. “Owner presented dog. Dog vomiting and diarrhoea and unable to walk. Diagnosed neurological damage. Advised euthanasia”.
The next entry was 3 days later. “Owner relinquishing dog to a rescue. Strongly advised against this. This dog should be euthanised”.
Thankfully, Arthur came into Welfare, and after being given time to detox and some natural remedies, he could walk again. He still has a slight sway, but this doesn’t hinder his everyday life. The most worrying factor though is his temperament. One minute he is the most loving dog and wants cuddles and loving then out of the blue he will try jumping up to tear the clothes you are wearing. Please note, this isn’t just normal puppy play behaviour that a lot of puppies will do to induce playtime. His eyes change and for those seconds he is doing this, it is like he is in another world. Then as suddenly as he starts, he stops. He is NOT a vicious dog.
Three months prior to Arthur coming into Welfare, we had taken in another 7-month puppy. His owner said the reason was that he has Hip Dysplasia (which he has). Norris appeared to be a loving, cute puppy. The first day Norris was here, I took him for a walk and out of the blue, he jumped up at me and began shredding the coat I wore. This wasn’t a playful gesture. It looked more like something had changed in him. It only lasted seconds but at the end of it, my coat had to be thrown away. He had shredded it that badly. I contacted his owners and they admitted he had done this with them, so this was probably the real reason he was relinquished. Again, Norris is NOT vicious. His eyes change when this is happening.
After seeing Arthur’s veterinary notes, I then checked the vet record for Norris. Nexgard was administered every 4 weeks.
Rodney came into Welfare after a bite incident at 3 years old. His owners were distraught. They didn’t understand how the loving dog they had raised from an 8-week-old puppy had changed almost overnight. He'd also been given Nexgard monthly.
Several other dogs have since been relinquished to Welfare due to behavioural issues. I now ask if any flea treatment has been used. The answer is nearly always Nexgard/Bravecto.
It is so sad that so many dogs are suffering. What's even worse is knowing that it is unnecessary and could be avoided.
Compounding the issue is the practice of treating dogs for fleas when our dogs do not have them. “Just in case”. Flea treatments DO NOT stop your dog from fleas. The fleas have to be on your dog and bite them, for the toxins in your dog’s blood stream (put there by the flea treatments) to kill them. How many of us take paracetamol every day “in case” we get a headache? Such behaviour would be considered risky and harmful to health. Yet, we put these harmful toxic chemicals in our dogs on a regular basis “just in case”. By all means, if your dog has fleas, then treat them. There are lots of natural deterrents you can use that will help to stop your dog from attracting fleas.
PLEASE DO NOT KEEP PUTTING DANGEROUS TOXINS IN YOUR DOGS BLOODSTREAM REGULARLY WHEN IT IS NOT NEEDED. IF YOUR DOG GETS A FLEA INFESTATION, THEN TREAT THEM BUT PLEASE DO NOT USE NEXGARD/BRAVECTO.
Following on from our own article, this new article from Ultimate Dog provides further information and stats and a useful read on these dangers.
