Vet says gapeworm, recommends unavailable treatment; options?

[timebider]

Did you search for an avian vet using the links I sent? I think it's more important to find an avian vet. A large animal that sees chickens is better than nothing, but an avian vet will know more about birds and chickens because that's their specialty. I strongly suggest that you find an avian specialist instead.

-Kathy

I really appreciate the resources, Kathy, but I'm basically SOL because of where I live. The waterfowl site has no listings at all in my state; on the avian list, there's only one vet within 130 miles that I hadn't already called, and he's not available until next week, either. I'm actually desperate enough to make the 3-hour round trip to one of the others but I have appointments I can't get out of today. Not only do I suddenly hate where I live, I really wish I could be pragmatic like everyone else around here and at least not care so much. But I'm not made that way, and I can't imagine a worse feeling than being helpless when an animal is suffering. So off to the farm store for tetracycline and I'll have to try to figure out how to get the maximum dose into her via syringe. I don't want to just put it in her drinking water because I won't have any idea how much she's getting (or not). At this point it's a God's-will sort of thing.

 

[casportpony]

Ask the vet that suggested the tetracyline how many mg to give to a three pound hen and I can tell you exactly how to give it.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

.

 

[casportpony]

Since the vet search links failed, try to google "avian vet" and your city. If that fails, try "exotic vet" and your city.

-Kathy

 

[timebider]

Ask the vet that suggested the tetracyline how many mg to give to a three pound hen and I can tell you exactly how to give it.

-Kathy

You are seriously my hero at this point. This is the response I received: "It depends upon the concentration of your tetracycline solution. 20 mg/lb or 60 mg for your hen dosed twice daily is a reasonable dose. There should be dilution directions on the label of a tetracycline powder that tell you what concentration of the solution you'll end up with. Once you know that, you'll now how many mL represents 60 mg."

 

[casportpony]

Ask the vet that suggested the tetracyline how many mg to give to a three pound hen and I can tell you exactly how to give it.


-Kathy

You are seriously my hero at this point. This is the response I received: "[COLOR=404040]It depends upon the concentration of your tetracycline solution. 20 mg/lb or 60 mg for your hen dosed twice daily is a reasonable dose. There should be dilution directions on the label of a tetracycline powder that tell you what concentration of the solution you'll end up with. Once you know that, you'll now how many mL represents 60 mg."[/COLOR]

Do you by chance have a gram scale? It's okay if you don't, but would be great if you did.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Ask the vet if you should get tetracyline or oxytetracyline.

-Kathy

 

[timebider]

Ask the vet if you should get tetracyline or oxytetracyline.

-Kathy

He says tetracycline, because oxytetracycline is poorly absorbed when given orally. And I do have a gram scale.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Wow seems like your getting allot more confident of her and your options now
I am very pleased that casportpony Kathy has been guiding you

 

[casportpony]

Ask the vet if you should get tetracyline or oxytetracyline.


-Kathy

He says tetracycline, because oxytetracycline is poorly absorbed when given orally. And I do have a gram scale.

If you want to try tetracyline, go buy a bag and let me know which one you get, then I can tell you how many grams to use. The one that most stores carry is Duramycin 10 or Terra Vet 10.

-Kathy