Balance impaired after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

72 reports to the FDA describe balance impaired in dogs given Afoxolaner. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

72Reports
51%Marked serious
42%Recovered
5.6%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
15 27%
1–2 days
11 20%
3–7 days
11 20%
1–4 weeks
4 7.1%
Over a month
15 27%

How the animals did

Recovered
29 40%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 1.4%
Still unwell when reported
7 9.7%
Died
3 4.2%
Euthanised
1 1.4%
Not known
31 43%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
15
1–3 years
16
4–7 years
15
8–11 years
13
12+ years
13

About this medicine

Afoxolaner kills fleas and ticks; given as a monthly chewable.

Products with this ingredient include NexGard. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

In 2018 the FDA alerted owners and vets that isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic reactions such as muscle tremors, wobbliness (ataxia) and seizures, including in animals with no history of them.

Questions owners ask

Can Afoxolaner cause balance impaired in dogs?
72 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 3 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Balance impaired with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Afoxolaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with balance impaired