What to know about Isoxazoline before you regret it:
What to know about Isoxazoline before you regret it
THE DANGERS OF ORAL FLEA & TICK MEDS NOT TOLD TO YOU:
We all love our fur babies and want to keep them safe. But not knowing some information about medications we give can be detrimental to their health unintentionally. I feel education is my job as a breeder to provide you with safety tools to use.
Sadly, oral flea & tick meds have been a major issue and concern for me and many of my families over the past several years now. Seizures are a major side effect from the Isoxazoline class: Bravecto, Credelio, NexGard, and Simparica are ALL oral medications that can cause seizures, not to mention Revolution Plus for cats. Isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions, including muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures in some dogs and cats.
These medications contain active ingredients from the isoxazoline class, which are insecticides that target and inhibit the nervous systems of fleas and ticks. By blocking specific nerve receptors in the parasites, these drugs cause paralysis and death in fleas, ticks, and mites. Now, read that again!!!
We’ve had some families forget about the warnings of ORAL FLEA & TICK MEDS... Please ready this FDA warning and research for yourself BEFORE putting your pet on this class of oral medication!
Isoxazoline is a NEUROtoxin, this affects their NEURO system = SEIZURES!!!!! This is on my contract and I go over this extensively at puppy pick ups.
I have medical background (RN for 10 years) and sometimes "Big Pharma" isn't the best. With 25 YEARS+ of breeding experience, I've never had so many issues with seizures since this oral medication came out.
PLEASE research before giving.
Products we DO recommend for flea & tick prevention:
Wondercide is all natural
Topical Flea & Tick Medications
Seresto Collar
Isoxazolines are a class of prescription medications commonly used to prevent fleas and ticks in dogs. Examples include fluralaner, afoxolaner, sarolaner, and lotilaner, which are found in several well-known veterinary products.
What are the concerns?
The primary safety concern is neurological side effects. In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required product labels for isoxazoline medications to include warnings that they have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions in some dogs. These reactions can include:
Muscle tremors
Loss of coordination (ataxia)
Seizures
Muscle twitching
These effects have been reported in dogs with and without a prior history of seizures. However, they are considered uncommon, and the FDA continues to state that these medications are safe and effective for the vast majority of dogs when used according to label directions.
Dogs that may be at higher risk
Extra caution may be warranted for dogs that:
Have a history of seizures or epilepsy
Have other neurological disorders
Are taking medications that lower the seizure threshold
If your dog falls into one of these categories, discuss alternative parasite prevention options with your veterinarian.
Benefits vs. risks
While the neurologic warnings receive significant attention, it's important to consider the benefits as well. Fleas and ticks can transmit serious diseases, including:
Lyme disease
Anaplasmosis
Ehrlichiosis
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
In many parts of the United States, preventing flea and tick infestations can substantially reduce these health risks. The decision to use an isoxazoline product should take into account:
Your dog's age and health
Your geographic location
Your dog's exposure to ticks and fleas
Your veterinarian's recommendations
What should owners watch for?
If your dog receives an isoxazoline medication, monitor for:
Tremors
Muscle twitching
Difficulty walking
Unusual behavior
Seizures
If any of these occur, contact your veterinarian immediately.
