Cough after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

334 reports to the FDA describe cough in dogs given Afoxolaner. That is 0.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.8% across reports for all dog medicines.

334Reports
47%Marked serious
26%Recovered
12%Died or euthanised
6 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
70 26%
1–2 days
45 17%
3–7 days
25 9.3%
1–4 weeks
39 15%
Over a month
89 33%

How the animals did

Recovered
86 26%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 0.6%
Still unwell when reported
35 10%
Died
22 6.6%
Euthanised
18 5.4%
Not known
171 51%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
35
1–3 years
86
4–7 years
63
8–11 years
90
12+ years
44

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 cough in dogs?
334 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 6 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).

Cough with similar medicines

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