How does Nexgard work for dogs? - briefly
Nexgard works by releasing afoxolaner into your dog's bloodstream. Once ingested, afoxolaner targets and kills fleas, ticks, and mites that may attempt to feed on your pet, providing effective protection against these parasites for up to a month.
How does Nexgard work for dogs? - in detail
Nexgard is a highly effective and popular flea and tick treatment for dogs, but how exactly does it work? To understand this, we need to delve into the chemical composition and mode of action of its active ingredient, afoxolaner.
Afoxolaner belongs to a class of compounds known as isoxazolines, which are synthetic ectoparasiticides. The mechanism by which Nexgard works is multifaceted and involves several key steps:
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Absorption: When administered orally, the afoxolaner in Nexgard is readily absorbed into the dog's bloodstream through the gastrointestinal tract. This absorption is rapid and efficient, ensuring that the active ingredient reaches its target parasites quickly.
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Distribution: Once in the bloodstream, afoxolaner is distributed throughout the body, including the skin and fat tissue. This widespread distribution is crucial for Nexgard's effectiveness, as it allows the compound to reach fleas and ticks wherever they may be on the dog's body.
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Neurotoxicity: Afoxolaner's primary mode of action is neurotoxicity, which means it targets the nervous system of the parasites. Specifically, afoxolaner acts on GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors and glutamate-gated chloride channels in the parasite's nerve cells.
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GABA Receptors: GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal excitability. By binding to GABA receptors, afoxolaner causes continuous activation of these receptors, leading to sustained inhibition of the parasite's nervous system.
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Glutamate-Gated Chloride Channels: These channels are involved in the regulation of chloride ions, which are essential for maintaining the electrical balance within nerve cells. Afoxolaner blocks these channels, preventing the proper functioning of the parasite's nervous system and ultimately causing paralysis and death.
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Paralysis and Mortality: The continuous activation of GABA receptors and blockage of glutamate-gated chloride channels lead to uncontrolled neuronal activity, resulting in paralysis of the parasite. This paralysis prevents fleas from feeding on the dog's blood and ticks from attaching firmly, leading to their eventual death.
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Duration of Action: One of the notable features of Nexgard is its long-lasting efficacy. Afoxolaner has a half-life of approximately 14 days in dogs, which means it remains active and effective against fleas and ticks for an extended period after administration. This prolonged action ensures continuous protection for the dog without the need for frequent re-dosing.
In summary, Nexgard works by employing afoxolaner to target and disrupt the nervous system functions of fleas and ticks, leading to their paralysis and death. The combination of rapid absorption, wide distribution, neurotoxic action, and long duration of efficacy makes Nexgard an effective and reliable choice for protecting dogs against these pesky parasites.