NexGard effective against two additional types of ticks

Merial has announced that NexGard (afoxolaner) chewables, which kill fleas and the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), has also been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to kill two additional species of ticks—the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), according to a company release.

In laboratory studies, NexGard was found to be highly effective against the black-legged tick and the Lone star tick 48 hours after treatment and demonstrated sustained efficacy for a full month, the release states. Preventives against these types of ticks are important in helping to prevent disease: the black-legged tick is a vector of Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis, while the Lone star tick may carry bacteria that cause ehrlichiosis and tularemia.

NexGard’s active ingredient, afoxolaner, was developed specifically for the treatment of fleas and ticks and designed to eliminate them for 30 full days. It is approved for use in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age or older weighing more than 4 pounds.