Nexgard or Bravecto chewable flea and tick protection

I did a google search on +MDR1 (name of mutation for "ivermectin sensitivity") and each of the drug names (+fluralaner and +afoxolaner); the "+" requires these terms to be found in the websites.


Safety of fluralaner (Bravecto), a novel systemic antiparasitic drug, in MDR1(-/-) Collies after oral administration
Walther FM, Paul AJ, Allan MJ, Roepke RK, Nuernberger MC.
Parasit Vectors. 2014 Mar 6;7:86. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-86.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Fluralaner is a novel systemic ectoparasiticide for dogs providing long-acting flea- and tick-control after a single oral dose. This study investigated the safety of oral administration of fluralaner at 3 times the highest expected clinical dose to Multi Drug Resistance Protein 1 (MDR1(-/-)) gene defect Collies.

METHODS:
Sixteen Collies homozygous for the MDR1 deletion mutation were included in the study. Eight Collies received fluralaner chewable tablets once at a dose of 168 mg/kg; eight sham dosed Collies served as controls. All Collies were clinically observed until 28 days following treatment.

RESULTS:
No adverse events were observed subsequent to fluralaner treatment of MDR1(-/-) Collies at three times the highest expected clinical dose.

CONCLUSIONS:
Fluralaner chewable tablets are well tolerated in MDR1(-/-) Collies following oral administration.




CVMP assessment report for NexGard
Pharmacokinetics
The applicant provided pharmacokinetic studies following oral administration in dogs.
Afoxolaner is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In dogs administered doses varying from 1 to 4 mg/kg bw, Tmax ranged from 2 to 12 hours; the mean Cmax ranged from 538 (1 mg/kg bw) to 2,147 ng/ml (4 mg/kg bw); the mean half-life ranged from 7.7 to 17.8 days; and, the mean AUCinf ranged from 7225 (1.0 mg/kg bw) to 30,107 day?ng/ml (4.0 mg/kg bw). After oral administration of 2.5 mg afoxolaner/kg bw bioavailability was calculated to be approximately 74%.
For the pivotal pharmacokinetic parameters, there was no significant difference between the fed and fasted state.
While a dose-dependent increase was seen for AUCinf and Cmax at doses up to 40 mg/kg bw, maximum plasma concentrations increased less than proportionally at higher doses (100 mg/kg bw and more). The dose proportionality is limited for afoxolaner due to solubility limited absorption.

In ivermectin sensitive Collies, Cmax was markedly higher at a dose of 25 mg/kg bw compared to studies using Beagles receiving 20 mg/kg bw, 14,000 ± 4,000 ng/ml and 7,690 ± 1,920 ng/ml respectively. Also, afoxolaner appeared to have a longer half-life in Collies (mean of 33 days at a dose of 25 mg/kg bw) than in Beagles. However, there were no serious adverse events observed following the dose of 25 mg/kg bw (i.e. 10x the therapeutic dose) administered to Collie dogs. Using the longest half-life of 47.7 days, and the maximum exposure dose (following recommended use) of 6.3 mg/kg bw, the highest steady state afoxolaner plasma concentrations predicted in Collie dogs would not exceed the maximum exposure (100 mg/kg bw and higher) achieved in toxicology studies in the target animal.

I use Nextguard on my dogs, and it works well, even down here in the deep south. However, it is expensive and must be used with caution with dogs prone to seizures. I started using it when Frontline Plus quit working here.

Need to check about the brain barrier on these. Especially with the collies. I look them up by manufacturer and read the "entire" insert on them. You'd be amazed all what important info is in those versus what they tell you in a commercial.
Bravecto:
Apparently there is a facebook page that said 2 dogs had died from it.
http://www.snopes.com/bravecto-flea-and-tick-warning/

Merck addressed it here on their site.
http://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/news/2015-06-15.aspx

Scroll down to bottom and click on 'click here' for their PDF on the testing info. appears vomiting and bloody diarrhea is the main symptoms.

Nexguard:
Has a very specific warning about seizures.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=nexguard+seizures

Sorry I don't know how to post PDF's.

I almost lost 2 of my dogs when I gave them Sentinel. Both were on life support for a week and did make it. Soooo I don't give topical flea treatments. Just because someone else's dog tolerates it is not a guarantee another dog can.

It's not so much the product as it is if the dog receiving it can tolerate it. The skin is the largest organ on a dog. All these topical are administered thru the skin. IMHO I just will not take the chance ever again on any of my dogs.

We used Nexguard on our Cavalier with no side effects. Works well, once in awhile we will find a flea that is about dead.

Our Japanese Chin uses Nexguard with no problem. Because she is small and old with not the greatest teeth, I do have to cut it up in smaller pieces and add to her food. She would not be able to chew it as it comes.

My 14-year old half-Lhasa has been using Bravecto for almost two years with no ill effects and it is highly effective for both fleas and ticks.

I'm a little uneasy about the side effects, plus I have heard it's more expensive. So for now I'll stick to K9 Advantix II Since she seems to tolerate it with no issues.

Better check with your vet before you try any of these. Collies and Shelties can be sensitive to certain chemical ingredients - I've used Frontline Plus for many years with good results, and my present sheltie Buttons has a "show coat" - very thick, but so far no sign of fleas or tick. We were in Colorado 2 weeks ago hiking on the trails and I'm sure there were ticks and other critters, but Buttons had no living souvenirs from our trip. Best wishes to you and all the collies.

Rita
Buttons the princess sheltie
Nicky the spoiled Tennessee Walker