Silky that had tapeworm...when shoud I let her join the flock?

[portianaomi]

I bought a partridge silky hen from a vet over a month ago. Upon bringing the lil cutie home, I noticed that she had a mild case of mites and tapeworm

The vet offered to take her back and said that she doesn't usually treat for tapeworm (!?!), but I am attached to this sweet chick and I couldn't have her go back to a life full of tapeworm and mites.

I treated her for the mites with Sevin, which are now gone and I also treated her for the tapeworm with Albendazole. I no longer see any sign of the worms in her scat (for about a week solid now), but I'm worried there still might be viable eggs or some piece of worm I'm not seeing still hanging on. I did read however, that the tapeworm needs an intermediate host such as a beetle/worm/ant/slug/snail/termite to be transmitted to the chicken. Is that true?

The hen, Artemis, tells me frequently that she would really like to go scratch and preen with my other three bantams in the yard. I would love to make it so, but I just can't expose them to tapeworm until I know for sure that it is dead and gone from her system.

Any thoughts/advice?

 

[portianaomi]

Adding this just to make sure that I'm following the rules:

1) What type of bird , age and weight: silkie, ~8 months, not sure of weight, but plump
2) What is the behavior, exactly: normal and spunky
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms: see above
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms: no, the bird had not been added to my flock
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma: no
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation: yes, see above
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all: yes, a lot and normally
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc: normal, except for the worms that now seem to be gone.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far: see above
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet: see above
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help: done.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use: she is currently being kept in a cage alone with shavings in the bottom. She has organic layer pellets, water, oyster shell, and treats of various sorts 2x per day.

 

[TedJan92_in_Idaho]

I would worm her 2 more times all 7-10 days apart. them tapes are hard boogers to get sometimes

 

[portianaomi]

Quote:
Thanks for the feedback. I just realized that I didn't write that I did start her on the second round about 4 days ago.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
x2

 

[portianaomi]

Quote:
x2

So, 6 treatments total?

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
x2

So, 6 treatments total?

3 total treatments should do it, not 3 sets of treatments.

 

[portianaomi]

I'm taking fecal samples to my avian specialist today - just want to make sure the worms are gone. Thanks for the advice!

 

[TedJan92_in_Idaho]

A lot of worm larva will circulate through the blood and the wormer will not kill most of the eggs. I usually worm everything at 1, 10 and 20 days. Even the dogs get it.

 

[portianaomi]

Yikes, and here I thought the worms were species specific

Your poor pups! I'll take your advice on the treatments for sure.

I just took the fecal samples to the vet and she said that Artemis is clear of tapeworm BUT my other chicken, Phoebe, has pin worm

Well, it will be no egg-eating around here for ~month