Gapeworms----Treatment?

[Winggedheart]

What do you treat gapeworms for? I've had a lot of trouble with my birds lately, and am beginning to suspect it could be gapeworms.
I've been treating the birds with vitamins, and electrolytes, antibodies, and Sulfa-Med for Cocci in their water, and also DE in their food (which normally works with worms for me.)
The birds are still ill, with symptoms of lethargy, diarrhea (in the older birds, where they stay alive longer) drooping combs, gasping for air, revulsion towards food and water, and weight loss. No blood in poop, just a bit more green then usual.

 

[Winggedheart]

I also wanted to say, until the birds get ill enough to be real lethargic, they ARE eating and drinking.

 

[Kassaundra]

I thought gape worms lived in the throat not the intestines? Attatched themselves to the esophagus?

 

[Winggedheart]

Yes from what I understand they do; but at this point I have no clue what's got my birds so ill, though I'm still leaning towards a type of worms...could be gape, I was wondering if anybody knew anymore? Any treatment suggestions?

 

[dawg53]

DE wont kill worms. I recommend you use valbazen. 1/2cc for standard size chickens and 1/4cc for smaller chickens given orally. Repeat again in 10 days. Grand total withdrawal is 24 days.

 

[Linda Swihart]

Thank you -- please help me understand that last part. Is this a period of time for which I should not use the eggs, or is 24 day withdrawal and meat withdrawal period? My flock is a laying flock only right now.

Linda

 

[opalwednesday]

I just got some panacur from the vet (10% suspension), it's cheep and kills alot of different worms, including gape. they were prescribed .2 ml a day for 5 days for a 3.6 pound bird.
i hope your flock gets better

 

[JakRat]

So I see that your vet gave you panacur. I can only find the horse strength at tractor supply and the only avian vet near us is not taking new patients right now... Has anyone used the horse panacur for chickens in the minutest of doses? If so how did you do this? Same with invetricn.

 

[JakRat]

Here is a video of my girl

 

[JakRat]

When I press on her throat, like to feel around if she has something stuck in there. I feel a bump which I am assuming is part of her throat, BUT when I press on it a little bit she makes that sound right after, almost as if that is a trigger.