NexGard SPECTRA Chewables for Dogs

• APVMA registered: veterinary chemical product from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Australia
• Two active constituents: afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime, dosed by the dog's weight
• Once a month: a soft, beef-flavoured chewable
• Five colour-coded sizes: for dogs from 2kg to 60kg, from 8 weeks of age
• Oral treatment: no restrictions on swimming, bathing or shampooing
• Breeding, pregnant and lactating females: the label states it can be used
• 3 or 6 chewables per pack

NexGard SPECTRA is a monthly chewable for dogs made by Boehringer Ingelheim. It is an APVMA-registered veterinary product, so the uses listed below are those approved on its label. Each pack is colour-coded to a weight band; choose the pack that matches your dog's current weight and move up a size as a puppy grows.

Each chewable combines two active constituents: afoxolaner, from the isoxazoline family, and milbemycin oxime, a macrocyclic lactone. The amount of each rises with the chewable size, from 9.4mg and 1.9mg in the very small dog chew to 150mg and 30mg in the very large dog chew. The chewables are made in Brazil.

The label describes NexGard SPECTRA as a soft chewable that is readily eaten when offered as a treat; it can also be given with a little food or placed directly in the mouth. Give it on or about the same day each month, and watch your dog for a few minutes to make sure the whole chew is eaten. Store below 30°C, out of the light, and remove only one chewable at a time from the blister card.

Label uses (from Boehringer Ingelheim)

• Rapidly kills fleas
• Treats and controls ticks
• Treats and controls mange and mites
• Prevents heartworm disease
• Treats and controls roundworms, hookworms and whipworms
• Controls flea allergy dermatitis
• Prevents flea tapeworm infestations
• Monthly treatment

"For the treatment and prevention of flea infestations, control of ticks and mites, prevention of heartworm, and treatment and control of intestinal worms in dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age."

Sizes and active constituents (per chewable)

• Very Small, 2–3.5kg (orange): 9.4mg afoxolaner, 1.9mg milbemycin oxime
• Small, 3.6–7.5kg (yellow): 18.8mg afoxolaner, 3.8mg milbemycin oxime
• Medium, 7.6–15kg (green): 37.5mg afoxolaner, 7.5mg milbemycin oxime
• Large, 15.1–30kg (purple): 75mg afoxolaner, 15mg milbemycin oxime
• Very Large, 30.1–60kg (red): 150mg afoxolaner, 30mg milbemycin oxime

For dogs over 60kg, the label directs giving the appropriate combination of chewables.

Directions

• Give one chewable for your dog's weight at monthly intervals, on or about the same day each month.
• Observe your dog for a few minutes after giving it. If any of the dose may have been lost, give another full dose.
• If a dose is missed, give it and resume monthly dosing.
• Heartworm: consult your veterinarian before starting a heartworm prevention program. The use of NexGard SPECTRA in heartworm-positive dogs has not been evaluated. When switching from another monthly heartworm preventative, give the first dose within one month of the last dose of the previous product.
• Paralysis ticks: use together with daily searching for and removal of ticks. The label states that treatment alone will not entirely remove the risk of tick paralysis.

Precautions

Do not use in dogs less than 8 weeks of age. The safe use of NexGard SPECTRA in breeding males has not been evaluated. The label notes that adverse reactions to the isoxazoline family are rarely observed but may include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, inappetence, itching and, very rarely, seizures; if you have any concerns, speak to your veterinarian.

Keep out of reach of children: accidental ingestion of afoxolaner can be harmful to children. Do not swallow. Wash hands after use. If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. Always read the label before use.

APVMA Approval Nos: 81008/136627, 81010/136626, 81011/136625, 81012/136624, 81055/136621.

If you find a tick on your dog, or your dog seems unwell after treatment, contact your vet straight away.