Licking after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

234 reports to the FDA describe licking in dogs given Afoxolaner. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

234Reports
42%Marked serious
20%Recovered
1.7%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
63 32%
1–2 days
38 19%
3–7 days
18 9.0%
1–4 weeks
26 13%
Over a month
55 28%

How the animals did

Recovered
42 18%
Recovered with lasting effects
4 1.7%
Still unwell when reported
24 10%
Died
2 0.9%
Euthanised
2 0.9%
Not known
160 68%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
12
1–3 years
64
4–7 years
75
8–11 years
52
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 licking in dogs?
234 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 2 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).

Licking with similar medicines

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