Confused about treatment for worms, lice etc.

[cochinbantam-lover]

Hi,
I have had some trouble with a few of my chickens who are almost a year old. I won't go into any details about that right now because it did not end well, [I had posted this problem on the emergencies, illnesses board]
I am so confused about what to treat my chickens with when it comes to worming and external parasites. I have been reading about this topic endlessly and have read so many different treatment options for worms and lice mites etc. Treatment of the coop also. So how can I know which one to try. My head is spinning, I read somewhere that the Ivermectin pour on that is used for cattle was used on chickens, like 6 drops on the skin at the base of the neck kills the internal and external parasites, but how can this be using something for cattle on a little bitty chicken, i would be worried it would kill my chicken too, then someone else used a wormer for goats, there are more but too numerous for me to remember. I would really appreciate your input. It's spring and I want to do the worming, mites, lice treatment the works. I have reason to believe it could be necessary right now!

Sorry so long, and thank you!

 

[geebs]

I haven't killed a chicken yet... It is by far the best method I have tried...It is a once in a while do it and your done kinda deal...It does take a second pair of hands as you do need the drops to get on skin rather than feathers... Love it!!! Buy the name brand... It works best.. and yep it is expensive so get another bycer to go in on it with you and you will have a lifetime supply. DE as a topical or mixed in with the feed is a little added insurance. I buy marans hatching eggs through the mail and I spend up to 150 on a single bird... I do not hesitate to use this method. To me it is the parasites that are a bigger risk.. Good luck and have confidence in the Ivermethod and DE. I have never killed a chicken with Seven either but that stuff gets all over and I am not as confident about it all over the chicken yard.. It is up to you. Good luck

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I read somewhere that the Ivermectin pour on that is used for cattle was used on chickens, like 6 drops on the skin at the base of the neck kills the internal and external parasites, but how can this be using something for cattle on a little bitty chicken,

It's better to use injectible Ivomec, and give it to them orally

Here are some other options:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=185989​

 

[dawg53]

conchinbantam-lover, I understand your confusion and frustration. You have to choose what YOU want to do with regard to worming your chickens and treating lice/mite issues, afterall they are your chickens and you want to do what is best for them. It's nice to have so many options available to use against all the parasites that chickens can get. First of all is there anything wrong with your chickens? Do you suspect that they have lice/mites and have you inspected them individually? Ivermectin....is mainly used for worming purposes. Do you suspect worms? You may or may not see worms shed in their poop. Are your chickens ruffled looking, slowed or stopped laying or eating...generally lethargic and not acting like a chicken should? You take one issue at a time and deal with it systematically. Personally I'd never use ivermectin pour on to treat lice/mites. I use sevin dust to treat for lice/mites; chickens, coop,nests etc...repeat in 10 days to kill hatched eggs. Worming; use wazine17 first to get rid of roundworms, throw the eggs away for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks are up, YOU have a choice of which wormer to use as a second wormer to kill any roundworms that have hatched since the use of the wazine and any other types of worms your chickens might have. You can choose one of the following: Ivermectin,safeguard,valbazen and I know there's others but it's your choice.Whichever one you use,you have to throw the eggs away for another 2 weeks. Keep in mind these 3 products are for larger livestock,therefore the dosage for a chicken will be much LESS,than say a cow or goat. It's the LESS dosage that is safe for you to administer to your chickens and you wont harm them nor kill them. Dont be treating your chickens "just because," or as a preventative with these products. There are preventatives out there like cayenne pepper,DE etc... Remember that you're using poisons as treatments for something specific. Why poison them if there's nothing wrong with them?

 

[gallatea]

Old post, but since I found this, someone else might, and thought I'd add my 2 cents.

I believe people should pick up the phone and call their vet more often.

Ivermectin is used for mites and other parasites. I did a lot of research about it (reading research articles by those doing medical research, not googling it).

My vet would not use it on my rabbits when they had mites because the dose has to be ultra precise with small animals. It has to be diluted to the extreme - I assume she meant for injection purposes.

However, the recent research shows it's the most effective in this form (injectable) as far as people bringing pets back without reoccurrence. I'd advise only a vet to do this sort of thing & figure out what's best for what animal and why.

I think the best prevention, in my experience, are clean surroundings and cages. Bleach (diluted) them out or use a disinfectant, rinse like crazy, and thoroughly dry them out for 24 hours w/ no animals in them. The problem is that the animals shed the eggs, another animal picks them up, and the cycle begins again. If the area is cleaner and housing isn't over crowded - less likely to happen. Also HAY is a hug culprit in carrying eggs/mites/bugs. The irony, at least in the rabbit world, is that my vet said she usually gets buns in with parasites from house rabbits (buns that never go outside). Carpet can hold the bugs, and multiple animals in a house can shed and reinfect others. I now store my hay away from my animals to avoid cross contamination. Yeah they'll (the mites/bugs) always be there, but too many things in close quarters living or food-wise and problems arise.





Overview

Parasitic diseases are common in animals. Parasites can affect the skin, ears, stomach and intestines, and the internal organs including the heart, lungs and liver. Several drugs have been developed to kill or prevent parasites such as fleas, ticks, mites and worms. Ivermectin and related drugs are among the most effective of these.
Ivermectin is a parasite control drug. Ivermectin causes neurologic damage to the parasite, resulting in paralysis and death.
Ivermectin has been used to prevent parasite infections, as with heartworm prevention, and to treat infections, as with ear mites.
Ivermectin is a prescription drug and can only be obtained from a veterinarian or by prescription from a veterinarian.

Brand Names and Other Names

This drug is registered for use in animals only.
Human formulations: None
Veterinary formulations: Ivomec

(Merial), Zimectrin

(Farnam), Eqvalan

(Merial), Heartgard

(Merial), Iverhart

(Virbac) and various generic preparations

Uses of Ivermectin

Ivermectin is used to control skin parasites, gastrointestinal parasites and parasites within the bloodstream.
Ivermectin prevents development of heartworm disease in dogs and cats.
Ivermectin can be used in an extra-label manner to kill microfilaria (microscopic offspring) in heartworm infected dogs.
Ivermectin is not effective against tapeworms and liver flukes.

Precautions and Side Effects

While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, ivermectin can cause side effects in some animals.
Ivermectin should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug.
Ivermectin should be used with caution in collie breeds or collie mixed breeds due to potential toxic effects. This is particularly true when using higher doses.
Ivermectin should not be used in dogs that are positive for heartworm disease except under strict supervision of a veterinarian.
Prior to starting a heartworm prevention containing ivermectin, the dog should be tested for heartworms.
Ivermectin generally should be avoided in dogs less than 6 weeks of age.
Ivermectin is relatively safe, but overdoses can occur if massive amounts are given or if the drug is given to heartworm positive dogs.
Signs of overdose, including stumbling, tremors, blindness, disorientation or weakness, generally occur within 12 hours of overdose. In heartworm positive dogs, supportive treatment for shock may be required.
Ivermectin should be used with caution at high doses when used with Comfortis™, a drug used to treat or prevent flea infestations.

How Ivermectin Is Supplied

Ivermectin is available in 10 mg/ml and 2.7 mg/ml injectable form; 0.153 percent and 1.87 percent paste form; 10 mg/ml liquid oral form and 68 mcg, 136 mcg and 272 mcg tablets.
Heartgard Plus

and Iverhart

are available in various concentrations of ivermectin combined with pyrantel pamoate.

Dosing Information

Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian. The dose for ivermectin varies from species to species and also depends on the intent of treatment. General dosing guidelines follow.
For dogs: Dose is 0.0015 to 0.003 mg per pound (0.003 to 0.006 mg/kg) once a month for heartworm prevention; 0.15 mg per pound (0.3 mg/kg) once, then repeat in 14 days for skin parasites; and 0.1 mg per pound (0.2 mg/kg) once for gastrointestinal parasites.
For cats: Dose is 0.012 mg per pound (0.024 mg/kg) once monthly for heartworm prevention.

The duration of administration depends on the condition being treated, response to the medication and the development of any adverse effects. Be certain to complete the prescription unless specifically directed by your veterinarian. Even if your pet feels better, the entire treatment plan should be completed to prevent relapse or prevent the development of resistance.

 

[Buugette]

I haven't had a problem yet... but I do keep my girls dusted with DE and put it in their food. When I clean their coop, I dust it with DE and when I put hay in the nesting box, I dust that too with DE.

They have a run attached and when I add sand, I add DE as well... they spread the sand and DE around themselves.

Now I only have 4 with a small coop and run. But so far so good... oh, and I dust the dogs with DE from time to time.

D

 

[dawg53]

Great information gallatea. But try finding a vet that knows about poultry and wont charge $100 to walk in the door,much less talk to you on the phone. Been there,done that! Turns out there's more knowledgable people here on this site and there's at least one member that is a vet that I know of and has poultry herself....and all the info is free! Alot of people here that I have observed clean their coops/runs on a daily basis using bleach/water solution. I clean mine once a week with bleach/water combo as well as spray the soil in and around the pen,diluted of course. Yet I've dealt with the parasite issues and then some, just as others here have also. If you have chickens for whatever reason,sooner or later a parasite issue will come up...it's a fact of chicken life. So, we all have to deal with it whether we use ivermectin,safeguard,valbazen,zimectrin gold,sevin dust, etc...just as long as it gets the job done. Also please keep in mind that not only can animals pick up parasites from the soil...chickens in particular eat all kinds of bugs that carry many different types of parasites as well as eating grass which holds parasites. My chickens are my only pets I have and they get the best care that I can give them.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Thank you everyone, I very much appreciate all your thoughts and suggestions.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Quote:
When you expensive how much were you talking about, I ordered some for like 16.00 from Amazon I think it was 250 ml?