N
The Global Insight

Does NexGard protect against heartworm

Author

Matthew Martinez

Updated on April 14, 2026

NexGard SPECTRA® is a highly palatable beef-flavored chew that kills fleas before they can lay eggs, ticks and mites while eliminating gastro-intestinal worms and preventing heartworm disease, lungworm and eyeworm infections.

What does Nexgard protect against?

NexGard is a medicine used to treat infestations with fleas and ticks, as well as demodectic and sarcoptic mange (skin infestations caused by two different types of mites) in dogs. It may be used as part of the management of flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to flea bites).

Does Nexgard require a heartworm test?

Nexgard is a monthly chewable tablet for flea and tick prevention that is flavored and in most cases will be eaten like a treat. … In order to have heartworm prevention prescribed, your dog will need to have a current negative heartworm test. We use Heartgard for heartworm prevention in our clinic.

Is Nexgard the same as Heartgard?

There are some distinct differences between these products. Mainly that Heartgard is used for parasites, such as hookworms and roundworms. Nexgard focuses on fleas and ticks. … Heartgard is known for preventing heart worms.

Can you give heartworm and Nexgard together?

By administering Nexgard Tablets together with Heartgard Plus, you are not only protecting your pooch from fleas and ticks, but also from intestinal worms as well as heartworms. This unique combination of treatments works perfectly together as it has the same mode of administration and covers all the parasites.

Which is safer Nexgard or Simparica?

Simparica however must be administered safely to dogs that are at least 6 months old, while Nexgard can be safely administered at 8 weeks. … Nexgard uses Afoxoflaner and kills 100% of fleas in 24 hours. Simparica uses Sarolaner which over stimulates the nervous system of the pests which kill fleas and ticks.

Why is Nexgard bad for dogs?

The flea pills and chews all contain a pesticide called isoxazoline, the FDA said. … They include products sold under the brand names Bravecto, Nexgard and Simparica. “Another product in this class, Credelio, recently received FDA approval.

Is Frontline or NexGard better?

With that said, the results of Nexgard are faster acting with a 24 hour turn around for ticks and four hours for fleas, giving your pet faster relief. Frontline Plus requires 12 hours to kill fleas and at least 48 hours to eliminate ticks. … Nexgard uses a pesticide called Afoxoflaner and kills 100% of fleas in 24 hours.

What is better Heartgard or NexGard?

Nexgard keeps away fleas, paralysis ticks, bush ticks and brown dog ticks for one full month. Heartgard Plus is an effective and vet recommended heartworm preventive product.

Do you need prescription for Heartgard and NexGard?

Heartgard is a medication for dogs that can be taken once per month to prevent heartworms. … This will save you a lot of money over the course of a year, and the generic brand is known for being just as good as Heartgard. You don’t need a prescription since the company is based in Canada.

Article first time published on

Do dogs really need heartworm pills?

Heartworm disease can be prevented in dogs and cats by giving them medication once a month that also controls various internal and external parasites. Heartworm infections are diagnosed in about 250,000 dogs each year. 1 But there is no good reason for dogs to receive preventives all year; it is just not needed.

What happens if you give a dog heartworm prevention that already has heartworms?

Heartworm preventives do not kill adult heartworms. Also, giving a heartworm preventive to a dog infected with adult heartworms may be harmful or deadly. If microfilariae are in the dog’s bloodstream, the preventive may cause the microfilariae to suddenly die, triggering a shock-like reaction and possibly death.

Can I give my dog heartworm preventative without testing?

The preventatives will not kill adult heartworms, so the only way to be sure your pet is free of heartworm disease is to have the blood test performed.

How do dogs get heartworm?

Heartworms are transmitted from an infected animal to your healthy dog through mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites your dog, the mosquito can also pass on infective larvae. Over 6 to 7 months, these larvae develop into adult heartworms, causing severe health issues and potentially death.

Can you give puppies HeartGard?

Safe for Puppies, Too HEARTGARD Plus prevents heartworm disease in dogs as young as 6 weeks of age with no minimum weight requirement.

Is it OK to give NexGard a few days early?

Is it safe to give nexgard a week early? In my opinion, it would be better to give it a week late. The product will have your pet covered for the additional time. If you have any doubts, it is best to talk to your vet.

How safe is NexGard for dogs?

The safety studies for NexGard had a good outcome with a very small percentage of dogs experiencing minor adverse effects. The most frequently reported adverse reaction was vomiting; less frequent reactions included dry skin, diarrhea, lethargy, and anorexia.

What is the safest flea and tick treatment for dogs?

  • Frontline Plus is an OTC product that uses fipronil and (S)-methoprene to attack fleas and ticks at every life stage. …
  • Trifexis employs spinosad and milbemycin oxime to keep dogs protected from heartworms and intestinal parasites as well as fleas, but it does not work against ticks.

Is NexGard safer than Bravecto?

Bravecto kills many types of ticks including the lone star tick for 8 weeks. Nexgard is the only FDA approved option for preventing infections that cause Lyme disease. Both products are safe for dogs when following directions and have been approved by the FDA to treat and prevent flea and tick infestations.

Does Simparica treat heartworm?

Monthly Simparica Trio prevents heartworm disease, kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations, the treatment and control of tick infestations, and the treatment and control of roundworm and adult hookworm infections in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older, and weighing …

What's the difference between Nexgard and Nexgard Spectra?

NexGard protects dogs against brown dog ticks, bush ticks and the potentially deadly paralysis tick. … NexGard SPECTRA contains an additional active ingredient, milbemycin oxime, which provides protection against heartworm and intestinal worms.

Can you give a dog heartworm medicine and flea medicine at the same time?

FLEAS, TICKS, & HEARTWORMS, OH MY!! One of the new products we recommend is NexGard, from the makers of Frontline. It is a once a month, ORAL, flea and tick prevention for dogs. No more sticky, smelly topicalls. It can be given at the same time as their monthly Heartgard– ONCE-a- MONTH!

What is the best heartworm medicine for dogs?

  • Advantage Multi. Most dog owners have already heard of Advantage and Advantage II – two popular flea treatments. …
  • HeartGard Plus. …
  • Tri-Heart Plus. …
  • Interceptor Plus. …
  • ProHeart 6.

Is there an alternative to Nexgard?

Simparica Trio kills the same ticks Nexgard protects against and also protects your dog from heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms. Waxman and Brooks both recommend it. Like Nexgard, Simparica needs to be given to your dog every month. It’s available for dogs from roughly three pounds all the way up to 132 pounds.

Does my dog need Sentinel and Nexgard?

Dogs – you should consider one of the following combinations: Our Veterinarian’s Top Choice: Sentinel + Nexgard: Sentinel (oral chew) monthly for heartworms, intestinal hook, round and whipworms, and flea eggs + Nexgard (orally) monthly for adult fleas and adult ticks (give the medications on separate days).

Is Advantix safer than Nexgard?

Both Nexgard and K9 Advantix use a pesticide to treat fleas and ticks. … Both products are safe for dogs when following directions, However, it is recommended that if you have a pet cat that you do not use K9 Advantix on your dogs, as it’s toxic to your feline companion.

Is Capstar safer than Nexgard?

The main difference between Capstar and Nexgard, is that Capstar is a single pill designed to quickly kill all Adult fleas in one dosage and is safe to administer again within the same month if reinfestation occurs. … Both Nexgard and Capstar are specifically designed in order to eliminate fleas.

Which flea treatment do vets recommend?

ProductCommentFrontline PlusKills fleas, larvae, eggs and ticks. Once-monthly application.

How can you prevent heartworms in dogs?

  1. Give your dogs the best food. Home-cooked meals for your dog are, of course, best, but it can be difficult to keep up with cooking your dog’s meals all the time. …
  2. Get your dog regular checkups. …
  3. Use preventative heartworm medicine.

Can you get heartworm medicine online?

Once your dog has a negative heartworm test and prescription from your vet, you can purchase HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) from your vet or order from a trusted online pharmacy. Start shopping below.

Why do I need a prescription for heartworm medicine?

Why You Need a Prescription for Heartworm Medication The reason for this is that your veterinarian wants to make sure your dog doesn’t have an active infection of heartworms before giving a heartworm medication.