Lateral recumbency after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

273 reports to the FDA describe lateral recumbency in dogs given Afoxolaner. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

273Reports
68%Marked serious
40%Recovered
14%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
43 19%
1–2 days
59 26%
3–7 days
31 14%
1–4 weeks
45 20%
Over a month
48 21%

How the animals did

Recovered
109 40%
Still unwell when reported
29 11%
Died
20 7.3%
Euthanised
19 7.0%
Not known
96 35%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
27
1–3 years
71
4–7 years
79
8–11 years
55
12+ years
38

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 lateral recumbency in dogs?
273 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).

Lateral recumbency with similar medicines

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