Rigidity after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

The FDA has received 79 reports of rigidity in dogs after Afoxolaner. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

79Reports
53%Marked serious
43%Recovered
5.1%Died or euthanised
5 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
12 18%
1–2 days
17 25%
3–7 days
12 18%
1–4 weeks
14 21%
Over a month
12 18%

How the animals did

Recovered
34 43%
Still unwell when reported
5 6.3%
Died
1 1.3%
Euthanised
3 3.8%
Not known
36 46%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
8
1–3 years
29
4–7 years
24
8–11 years
13
12+ years
5

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 rigidity in dogs?
79 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 5 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).

Rigidity with similar medicines

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