Help - My Flock Very Sick

[weeziewoo]

Hi there: just joined Backyard in the hopes of help. My flock consist of 1 year old Rhodie mix and 22 week old Rhodie pullets. Extremely diligent with their care and cleanliness, however, infested with Mites/Lice; loss of a great amount of back feathers; gurgling/respitory, lethargic and now as of today, I have a pullet who is flopped over on her side twisting her neck and can't walk as if a paralysis has occured. I have treated them all with teramycin in the water and dusted each and everyone of them with Sevin. Some have improved but it is pretty bad. Any help?????????????? I am totally frustrated, exhausted and discouraged.

 

[TwoCrows]

I was just grazing thru this section and saw yours. I have no idea what could be wrong, but I am going to bump this post up to the top in hopes that someone has an answer for you. I am very sorry you are having so much trouble.

But glad you joined BYC as the folks here are very helpful and may be able to help.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Welcome to BYC. If you dusted using sevin dust 7-10 days ago, you need to redust them again to kill nits hatched from eggs since the first dusting. You also need to dust the inside of their house including roosts and nests. Redust again in 7-10 days. The mites are weakening your chickens by sucking their blood and can cause anemia, then death. They also weaken the immune system to the point where other diseases such as CRD can invade their systems. Dust the mites, rebuild their strength and immune systems by giving them scrambled eggs mixed with buttermilk for 3-5 days in their feed. Continue with the terramycin as directed. Do not add apple cider vinegar (ACV) or anything else to the terramycin medicated water. I recommend that once your birds have fully recovered from the mite infestation, and have the CRD somewhat under control, that you worm your chickens with valbazen. After first dosing them, then redose them again in 10 days. Dosage would be 1/2cc for each of your chickens given orally.

 

[Anianna]

Mites, Lice, Flea Treatments Recommended by BYCers

Treat birds directly using any of the following methods along with disinfecting the coop. Eliminate any bedding that may be infested and clean the coop thoroughly.

Oxine – without activator! Use as disinfectant or in humidifier/fogger to treat respiratory illness. Spray chickens and bedding to treat insect infestation. Add to water to discourage slime growth and to prevent internal worm infestations. Can be used with activator to thoroughly disinfect EMPTY animal houses (do NOT use activated Oxine around animals). See this link for more.

Eprinex ivomec pour – mites, lice, fleas. Put between shoulders much like flea treatments on cats. Only recommended for adults (may be too strong for chicks).

Seven Dust – place body of chicken in a plastic bag with the head sticking out of the bag. Do not put a chicken’s head in a plastic bag!! Add Seven Dust, hold bag closed at neck, and shake gently to coat bird with powder.

Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) – use on mite scales to suffocate mites out and soften the scales down.

* Some have recommended Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth ( DE ) Powder as a treatment for existing infestation and in bedding to prevent infestation. However, there is some debate over its effectiveness and some concern over the respiratory effects. DE contains breathable coarse dust that can scar the lungs. Please research DE if you wish to consider using it.

Find out more about infestations and treatments at Backyard Poultry Magazine and The University of California.

 

[dawg53]

Oxine does not prevent internal worm infestations. I have a gallon of it and nowhere on the label does it say anything about using it as a worm preventative.
Additionally, eprinex's primary purpose is used as a wormer, anything else is secondary.

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
The worm preventative is an off-label use I have seen recommended. I have not tried it personally, so I do not know first-hand if it is effective. Oxine is a biocide/pesticide and is approved for biocide and pesticide uses in HVAC systems. The label does mention pesticide use and several off-label uses are mentioned in various locations.

I will have to disagree with you regarding the Eprinex ivomec pour. Please see the drug label information here that specifically includes mites, lice, and horn flies.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
The worm preventative is an off-label use I have seen recommended. I have not tried it personally, so I do not know first-hand if it is effective. Oxine is a biocide/pesticide and is approved for biocide and pesticide uses in HVAC systems. The label does mention pesticide use and several off-label uses are mentioned in various locations.

I will have to disagree with you regarding the Eprinex ivomec pour. Please see the drug label information here that specifically includes mites, lice, and horn flies.

From the label: "Sanitizer Disinfectant." Fungicidal-Bacterial-Virucidal. Show us links for references for off label use as a wormer for users of oxine. Nowhere in BYC have I read that oxine is used as a worm preventative.
You are incorrect about eprinex, it's primary purpose is a wormer as stated in your link...as is ivermectin pour on, only without the withdrawal period (eprinex.)

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
The worm preventative is an off-label use I have seen recommended. I have not tried it personally, so I do not know first-hand if it is effective. Oxine is a biocide/pesticide and is approved for biocide and pesticide uses in HVAC systems. The label does mention pesticide use and several off-label uses are mentioned in various locations.

I will have to disagree with you regarding the Eprinex ivomec pour. Please see the drug label information here that specifically includes mites, lice, and horn flies.

From the label: "Sanitizer Disinfectant." Fungicidal-Bacterial-Virucidal. Show us links for references for off label use as a wormer for users of oxine. Nowhere in BYC have I read that oxine is used as a worm preventative.
You are incorrect about eprinex, it's primary purpose is a wormer as stated in your link...as is ivermectin pour on, only without the withdrawal period (eprinex.)

Upon further research, I believe there was confusion between Oxine AH and Milbemycin Oxime which is a heartworm treatment. I have removed that Oxine prevents worms in my original post on the matter. Thank you for pointing it out.

I still cannot agree with you regarding the Eprinex ivomec pour. Below is a quote from its prescribing information (I have not changed a thing, it is a direct quote):

INDICATIONS

IVOMEC EPRINEX (eprinomectin) Pour-On is indicated for the treatment and control of gastrointestinal roundworms (including inhibited Ostertagia ostertagi), lungworms, grubs, sucking and biting lice, chorioptic and sarcoptic mange mites, and horn flies in beef and dairy cattle of all ages, including lactating dairy cattle.

I'm not saying it doesn't treat worms, but it is also indicated to treat lice, mites, and horn flies. Again, click here to see the prescribing information for yourself.​

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
From the label: "Sanitizer Disinfectant." Fungicidal-Bacterial-Virucidal. Show us links for references for off label use as a wormer for users of oxine. Nowhere in BYC have I read that oxine is used as a worm preventative.
You are incorrect about eprinex, it's primary purpose is a wormer as stated in your link...as is ivermectin pour on, only without the withdrawal period (eprinex.)

Upon further research, I believe there was confusion between Oxine AH and Milbemycin Oxime which is a heartworm treatment. I have removed that Oxine prevents worms in my original post on the matter. Thank you for pointing it out.

I still cannot agree with you regarding the Eprinex ivomec pour. Below is a quote from its prescribing information (I have not changed a thing, it is a direct quote):

INDICATIONS

IVOMEC EPRINEX (eprinomectin) Pour-On is indicated for the treatment and control of gastrointestinal roundworms (including inhibited Ostertagia ostertagi), lungworms, grubs, sucking and biting lice, chorioptic and sarcoptic mange mites, and horn flies in beef and dairy cattle of all ages, including lactating dairy cattle.

I'm not saying it doesn't treat worms, but it is also indicated to treat lice, mites, and horn flies. Again, click here to see the prescribing information for yourself.​

The PRIMARY purpose of eprinex is a wormer.
http://www.ads.uga.edu/extension/beefteam/pdf/MWorms.pdf
Scroll down 3/4 of the way and read about ivomec and eprinex.
The reason ivomec products, to include eprinex (Merial) should only be recommended as use against mites is as a LAST resort. There are other options; sevin dust, Adams products, poultry protector etc...
The reason is simple; using ivomec products including eprinex for the primary purpose of mite control enhances worm resistance, which is already happening especially with roundworms in chickens...therefore it should only be used as a last ditch effort to kill the mites.
Additionally, if a chicken has worms (there are many types) and eprinex is being used against mites, the eprinex will kill most worms in the chickens system causing a toxic overload...possibly killing the chicken.
Here is a link where overuse of ivomec products have caused internal parasites to become increasingly resisant in a study with sheep (4th paragraph.)
http://www.sheep101.info/201/parasite.html
Here is a link where ivermectin injectable is useless against roundworms...with a link to a study proving it. It also provides a link to where it can still control mites. Worms are more deadly than mites. Mites can be seen, worms cant...unless there's a worm overload and are seen in feces, which indicates an infestation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=172967&p=4
Post #38
If people here keep recommending ivomec products including eprinex as a primary product to get rid of mites...ivermectin pour, ivermectin paste and eprinex will eventually be useless as a wormer, just like the ivermectin injectable, all due to worm resistance.
ETA: This is why I always recommend sevin dust...it is persistant and there isnt any lice/mite resistance.

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
Upon further research, I believe there was confusion between Oxine AH and Milbemycin Oxime which is a heartworm treatment. I have removed that Oxine prevents worms in my original post on the matter. Thank you for pointing it out.

I still cannot agree with you regarding the Eprinex ivomec pour. Below is a quote from its prescribing information (I have not changed a thing, it is a direct quote):

INDICATIONS

IVOMEC EPRINEX (eprinomectin) Pour-On is indicated for the treatment and control of gastrointestinal roundworms (including inhibited Ostertagia ostertagi), lungworms, grubs, sucking and biting lice, chorioptic and sarcoptic mange mites, and horn flies in beef and dairy cattle of all ages, including lactating dairy cattle.

I'm not saying it doesn't treat worms, but it is also indicated to treat lice, mites, and horn flies. Again, click here to see the prescribing information for yourself.​

The PRIMARY purpose of eprinex is a wormer.
http://www.ads.uga.edu/extension/beefteam/pdf/MWorms.pdf
Scroll down 3/4 of the way and read about ivomec and eprinex.
The reason ivomec products, to include eprinex (Merial) should only be recommended as use against mites is as a LAST resort. There are other options; sevin dust, Adams products, poultry protector etc...
The reason is simple; using ivomec products including eprinex for the primary purpose of mite control enhances worm resistance, which is already happening especially with roundworms in chickens...therefore it should only be used as a last ditch effort to kill the mites.
Additionally, if a chicken has worms (there are many types) and eprinex is being used against mites, the eprinex will kill most worms in the chickens system causing a toxic overload...possibly killing the chicken.
Here is a link where overuse of ivomec products have caused internal parasites to become increasingly resisant in a study with sheep (4th paragraph.)
http://www.sheep101.info/201/parasite.html
Here is a link where ivermectin injectable is useless against roundworms...with a link to a study proving it. It also provides a link to where it can still control mites. Worms are more deadly than mites. Mites can be seen, worms cant...unless there's a worm overload and are seen in feces, which indicates an infestation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=172967&p=4
Post #38
If people here keep recommending ivomec products including eprinex as a primary product to get rid of mites...ivermectin pour, ivermectin paste and eprinex will eventually be useless as a wormer, just like the ivermectin injectable, all due to worm resistance.
ETA: This is why I always recommend sevin dust...it is persistant and there isnt any lice/mite resistance.

I have adjusted it to read:

Eprinex ivomec pour– mange mites, lice, and horn flies but only as a last resort if other treatments prove ineffective. Widespread use of Eprinex causes resistance in worms to this and other dewormers in the same class (including Ivermectin), making them less effective as a dewormer and putting your flock at risk should you encounter a worm infestation. If you do find you need to use it, put between shoulders much like flea treatments on cats. Only recommended for adults (may be too strong for chicks).