Urine abnormalities after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

The FDA has received 81 reports of urine abnormalities in dogs after Afoxolaner. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

81Reports
59%Marked serious
16%Recovered
9.9%Died or euthanised
14 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
11 20%
1–2 days
15 27%
3–7 days
2 3.6%
1–4 weeks
7 13%
Over a month
21 38%

How the animals did

Recovered
13 16%
Still unwell when reported
20 25%
Died
3 3.7%
Euthanised
5 6.2%
Not known
40 49%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
11
1–3 years
16
4–7 years
21
8–11 years
23
12+ years
9

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 urine abnormalities in dogs?
81 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 14 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).

Urine abnormalities with similar medicines

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