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Why do dogs on Nexgard still get tapeworms? Is it the fleas?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | unneutered | 6 months and 17 days old | 10 lbs

My two young dogs take Nexgard. They pee in a grassy area here in Florida. They have twice gotten tapeworms in spite of Nexgard. Why? Did the flea(s) bite before the product was effective?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on August 28th, 2020

I'm sorry to hear that you've had to deal with tapeworms twice - that sounds quite frustrating! Like most flea preventives, with Nexgard, fleas must first bite a dog before the medication works to kill them. It's possible that your dogs are getting infected if they eat either live or dead fleas that have been infected with tapeworms, either before or after the Nexgard has killed them. The other thing to consider with tapeworms is that most require at least two doses of deworming medication about 3 weeks apart in order to effectively treat the infection. While I don't know how close together your two tapeworm infections were, another possibility to consider is that the first infection might not have been fully treated. I find Nexgard to be one of the most effective flea and tick preventives on the market. I would consider asking your vet about intermittently deworming Leo and his buddy since tapeworms seem to be a recurrent issue. I hope this helps and that everything goes well!

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    Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 27th, 2017

    Hi and thanks for you post this afternoon. NexGard and Sentinel does not cover tapeworms. It helps prevent fleas which will help prevent the most common tapeworm in dogs. Dogs and cats get tapeworms through ingesting a flea. This happens often while itching or grooming themselves. Tapeworms can be treated with Praziquantel which is part of Sentinel Spectrum (different from regular Sentinel) or can be given as a one time injection at your veterinarian's office. Tapeworms can be rid of with a good flea preventative (which it looks like Rouge 1 is currently on) as well as tape worm deworming with Praziquantel if a tapeworm infection is present. I hope this helps and best of luck to you and Rouge 1!

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