Does anyone have Ivermectin in Cleveland?

[tiffanyo]

Hi. My 6 week old chick clearly has gape worm and I can't find any Ivermectin b/c Tractor Supply had to pull it off shelves because of COVID. I am in Solon Ohio and was hoping someone close had some on hand that I could buy. Don't know if she is going to make it through the night without it.

Thanks!
Tiffany

 

[Eggcessive]

Gapeworm is very rare. What symptoms is your chick having? Respiratory diseases can cause gaping and gasping. Those are more common. Infectious bronchitis and MG are common ones, and they may be passed to chicks from a carrier. MG also can pass though hatching eggs. Ivermectin would not be the best treatment for gapeworm anyway. SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer or the horse paste can be used to treat gapeworm. Dosage is 0.25 ml (1/4 ml ) per pound of weight biven orally for 5 consecutive days.

 

[tiffanyo]

Thank you for the response. She is gasping for air, and has a high pitched cough/sneeze like she is trying to clear her throat. She is stretching out her neck and shaking her head. She is clearly in distress, I noticed it started yesterday.

 

[Folly's place]

It's very unlikely that her problem is gapeworm, more likely a respiratory infection or ???.
Your veterinarian probably has ivermectin, and could send home the very tiny amount needed, but it's just not going to help unless it is gapeworm.
Mary

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have older chickens? Did you get her from a breeder? Look in her eyes to see if there are any bubbles or foam. Have you had other chickens who have sneezed? If she has infectious bronchitis, antibiotics may not help, but the virus would have to run it’s course over a month. If she has eye bubbles or eyelid swelling, I would try to get antibiotics from a vet to treat for MG. This is tylosin (tylan) which can treat MG symptoms:
https://www.jedds.com/shop/tylan-soluble-100-g/

 

[tiffanyo]

Her eyes seem fine. I got her from Meyer hatchery 6 weeks ago. I have 3 other older chickens and now that I think about it one of my older ones was doing the same thing last week but now seems fine. And I introduced the chicks through fencing the other day. I have given DE and apple cider vinegar to all chickens. What else should I do?

 

[Folly's place]

Leave out the DE and vinegar!
Gapeworm is contracted by eating earthworms or snails, for example. If your adults have Mycoplasma, they are lifetime carriers, and will infect any new birds. There's a test for that, by throat swabs, if you check with your state veterinary laboratory. Tylosin will make them better for a while, if that's what is happening.
Mary

 

[tiffanyo]

Leave out the DE and vinegar!
Gapeworm is contracted by eating earthworms or snails, for example. If your adults have Mycoplasma, they are lifetime carriers, and will infect any new birds. There's a test for that, by throat swabs, if you check with your state veterinary laboratory. Tylosin will make them better for a while, if that's what is happening.
Mary

Thank you for the food advice. I just took fresh water and she is eating and drinking fine. And is not lethargic. I think I am going to take her to the vet in the morning.

 

[Folly's place]

Have her (them) tested for Mycoplasma, as a rule-out. If present, nothing will go well, because it's depopulation, three weeks with no birds, and then new birds.
I had to test mine years ago, and they were negative, thank God.
All the best with your flock.
Mary

 

[Eggcessive]

It could well have come from your older chickens. Testing is always the best, and helpful to know if your flock is positive. but if you need the tylosin, it takes a few days to get it.