NexGard Spectra
NEXGARD SPECTRA BECOMES THE ONLY PRODUCT LICENSED TO PREVENT LUNGWORM AND KILL TICKS
7 years ago 
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Until now, it’s been difficult for veterinary surgeons to advise dog owners on how to protect their pets against deadly lungworm and ticks. That’s about to change as NexGard Spectra™ is now licensed for lungworm prevention, making it the only product that prevents lungworm and kills ticks in one tasty chew.
To date, in order to help protect pets against both of these parasites vets have had to prescribe multiple products, often with different methods of administration and/or treatment frequencies, leading to potential client confusion and issues with compliance. Being able to use one product that’s easy to give will make protecting pets against the two most concerning pet parasites much simpler.
Lungworm and ticks pose an ever increasing threat to dogs in the UK. Angiostrongylus vasorum is spreading across the UK, with prevalence in foxes rising from 7% in 2005 to 18% in 20141,2. The risk of exposure to ticks has increased, with a recent study showing that nearly 1 in 3 dogs were found to host ticks3, compared to around 1 in 7 dogs in a previous study4 Cases of the potentially fatal tick-borne disease Babesiosis (carried by the tick vector Dermacentor reticulatus) are also being diagnosed in un-travelled UK dogs5.
Lynda Maris, NexGard Spectra™ Product Manager, says that the changing patterns mean both parasites have become higher priority risks in many practices, “Until now vets have had to recommend combinations of products, or make a choice about which parasite represents the greatest risk in their area – ticks or lungworm. But as both parasites have changed their behavior, the risk of exposure has increased across the country. Now just one tasty chew will address both lungworm and ticks, meaning that pet owners don’t have to concern themselves with administering different products and vets know that in the face of a rapidly changing situation there is a simple way to make sure their patients are protected.”
NexGard Spectra™ also kills fleas and treats gastro-intestinal (GI) roundworms, such as Toxocara, making it a suitable treatment for family pets where zoonotic risks need to be considered. The product offers a unique combination of actives: afoxolaner, an isoxazoline with proven efficacy against ectoparasites, and milbemycin oxime, a tried and tested option for lungworm prevention and GI roundworms.
The highly palatable, beef-flavoured oral chew makes administering parasite control a treat for dogs, which means clients are more likely to adhere to treatment recommendations. In a recent vet practice sampling campaign5 79% of dogs took NexGard Spectra™ readily or like a treat. More than 90% of respondents to the survey said they would be likely or very likely to recommend it to their clients.
NexGard Spectra™ can be used from 8 weeks of age in puppies weighing more than 2 kgs, and is very well tolerated, including by MDR-1 mutant collies, where studies showed no treatment-related changes even at five times the maximum dose. It is available in packs of three chews, with five different presentations to ensure accurate dosing according to bodyweight (2-3.5 kgs, 3.5-7.5 kgs, 7.5-15 kgs, 15-30 kgs and 30-60 kgs).
For more information, veterinary professionals should contact their Merial Territory Manager, call Merial on 0870 6000 123, or visit www.nexgardspectra.co.uk.
Use Medicines Responsibly
NexGard Spectra™ for dogs contains afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime. NexGard Spectra™ for dogs is indicated for the treatment of flea and tick infestations in dogs when the concurrent prevention of heartworm disease, angiostrongylosis (reduction in level of immature adults (L5) and adults of Angiostrongylus vasorum) and/or treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes infestations is indicated. For further information about side effects, precautions, warnings and contraindications refer to the product packaging or contact Merial Animal Health Ltd, CM19 5TG, UK. NexGard Spectra™ is a trademark of Merial Animal Health Ltd. ©Merial Ltd 2017. All rights reserved
References:
1. Taylor et al (2015) Parasitology 142 (9) 1190-1195. 2. Morgan et al (2008) Vet Para 154: 48-57. 3. Abdullah et al (2016) Parasites & Vectors 9: 391 4. Smith et al (2011) Med & Vet Entom 25, 377-384. 5. Swainsbury et al (2016) Vet Rec 178, 172
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