Gape worm treatment

[Warrior Creek]

Can someone give me the specific dosage and medication for gape worm in a 22 lb turkey.

She has always displayed the gasping breathing when the temps start getting warmer, although my local DVM, who runs her fecals say they are clear. They know nothing about avians, especially turkeys. Just trying to help w out w basics.

I’ve used Safeguard, and have the other more standard wormer and use $$$ natural feed throughs, but she still has the “gasping for air and labored breathing behavior every night” during the warmer months.

I’m convinced she needs several days of Ivomec or the other medication that starts w a C. I’m told broad breasted whites don’t live as long as some of the modified wild birds, so really important to me to keep her the healthiest she can be.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would doubt your turkey has gapeworms. They aren't very common. It is common for turkeys to pant when hot. Broad breasted turkeys are prone to heart problems, so gasping might be common to them.

 

[dawg53]

I would doubt your turkey has gapeworms. They aren't very common. It is common for turkeys to pant when hot. Broad breasted turkeys are prone to heart problems, so gasping might be common to them.

x2

 

[Warrior Creek]

It’s not even hot outside yet. 75 degrees and pretty cool. My avian DVM believes in worming aggressively, so my local DVM gave me four days of Ivomec or Ivermectin IM. I’ll post if the “gasping stops.” Turkey is new. Other animals aren’t. I’m not an alarmist. Can’t hurt. Avian DVM said they might not have a significant egg load in the fecal to have worms. It’s the only wormer she hasn’t had in a year. Certainly won’t hurt anything.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Definitely update. Hopefully it works.

 

[Warrior Creek]

Nobody answered my question on dosage or wormers, so “from my research,” gapeworms are fairly common in young chickens and turkeys. And that is from veterinarian references. I can always screenshot that info. This is a hatchery turkey from TSC, not a breeder. She and her sisters came w some issues.

It’s not even hot in NC yet (70 and noticed when she came in to watch TV the other night and I have AC on). I cover everything and she’s housebroken. It’s just me and her on the farm and we are pals. TV nights are occasional treats. Don’t freak, bc she has pristine outdoor habitat and fenced areas to roam, goes on long walks.

She’s gasping and had all the behaviors long standing in warmer months. She’s not overweight (23 lbs) and healthy otherwise. I don’t overfeed her and watch her carefully for everything, bc I know they aren’t bred for longevity. So even though BBWs may have heart issues, that shouldn’t cause the other things I see that go along w gape worm behavior.

But after more reading last night, birds are usually treated w Levamisole wormers or Avitrol Plus for adult gapeworms. Ivermectin wormers won’t kill adult gapeworm. F nbendazole (Safeguard) says it does on the label, but not according to my reading. I’m hoping she breathes easier after this, because I decided to treat it after noticing her breathing in 70 degrees, the which I consider to be fairly comfortable.

 

[Warrior Creek]

Doing GREAT day 4. Gasping reduced dramatically. First time I’ve noticed she’s not had labored breathing in warmer, humid days and around 90 today.

Been reading more and panting in over 85 degree days or higher humidity normal. She still might need Avitrol, but greatly improved.