I'm worried that my vet's instructions for deworming may be wrong!

[CMcGrath71]

Hi--After seeing some worms in one of my chicken's poo, I had a fecal test done (when I was at the vet for 2 other unrelated issues). The test came back positive for roundworms and the vet prescribed Safeguard goat dewormer 10% suspension. She told me to dose all my chickens (they weigh around 4-5 lbs) at .5 ml each for 5 days and to repeat in a few weeks.

Okay, here are my questions:
1. Dosing seems different from what I've seen on the BYC forum--which recommended 1 ml for a 4 lb bird.
2. If I underdosed, but already completed the 5 days...now what?
3. Do I repeat the same 5 day cycle again if it's just roundworms? If yes, when?
4. I also (from searching the BYC forum) just also read that you shouldn't use Safeguard if a chicken in molting. Too late. Gave it to a molting chicken (the vet didn't say anything about that). Eek--now what???

Thanks for anyone who can offer advice!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi--After seeing some worms in one of my chicken's poo, I had a fecal test done (when I was at the vet for 2 other unrelated issues). The test came back positive for roundworms and the vet prescribed Safeguard goat dewormer 10% suspension. She told me to dose all my chickens (they weigh around 4-5 lbs) at .5 ml each for 5 days and to repeat in a few weeks.

Okay, here are my questions:
1. Dosing seems different from what I've seen on the BYC forum--which recommended 1 ml for a 4 lb bird.
2. If I underdosed, but already completed the 5 days...now what?
3. Do I repeat the same 5 day cycle again if it's just roundworms? If yes, when?
4. I also (from searching the BYC forum) just also read that you shouldn't use Safeguard if a chicken in molting. Too late. Gave it to a molting chicken (the vet didn't say anything about that). Eek--now what???

Thanks for anyone who can offer advice!

Fenbendazole dosing for Roundworms *only* is 10-50mg/kg given once, then repeated in 10 days.

Looks like your vet has given you dosing instructions for ~20mg/kg, so this dose *should* treat Roundworms.
Follow the instructions she gave you, if you still question it, give her a call or email her.

Fenbendazole given during molt *may* cause stunted feather growth according to the Plumb's Vet Drug Manual, but you've already given the medication, you'll just have to see if that happens. It may or may not affect feather quality.
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The dosing you read about or see that most of "US" on BYC recommend for Fenbendazole is equal to 50mg/kg give for 5 days in a row, no repeat. This dosing is the max dose and will take care of most worms that poultry can have except for Tapeworms which would require Praziquantel.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Is Fenbedazole = Safeguard?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is Fenbedazole = Safeguard?

Yes.

 

[CMcGrath71]

Thanks for the feedback from an experienced chicken caretaker!

I guess I'll just wait and see about the feather issues.

Was wondering if--since I will repeat in 10 days--if I do the low dose for 5 days (as she had directed) or if you thought it made more sense to do a higher dose.

I am really bad at math so I don't understand what "10-50mg/kg" is in terms of ML on the syringe means.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for the feedback from an experienced chicken caretaker!

I guess I'll just wait and see about the feather issues.

Was wondering if--since I will repeat in 10 days--if I do the low dose for 5 days (as she had directed) or if you thought it made more sense to do a higher dose.

I am really bad at math so I don't understand what "10-50mg/kg" is in terms of ML on the syringe means.

I'd follow the Vet's Instructions since that is what you have been following.

 

[CMcGrath71]

 

[Soazchicken]

What do you give for tapeworms in a large flock? Praziquantel in the pills from tractor supply will bankrupt me based upon the dosage and number of birds we have.

 

[dawg53]

What do you give for tapeworms in a large flock? Praziquantel in the pills from tractor supply will bankrupt me based upon the dosage and number of birds we have.

Buy Equimax equine paste at TSC to treat tapeworms. The cost wont bankrupt you. You can find the dosage for chickens via the search box. You only need to dose chickens that have shown tapeworm segments in feces.