Ivermectin poisoning

[casportpony]

The last time I went to the vet with my beloved P-Dawg he had some lice on his face and the vet gave hime something, but I don't remember what that was, but it worked. Need to call them and ask what that was.

-Kathy

 

[Duck Drover]

When I spoke with Dave Holderread last week he mentioned that ivermectin has become completely useless in some parts of the country due to resistance but I did not think that was a problem here. I like that it is a broad spectrum treatment and easy to dose, even if it does require grabbing each bird individually rather than dusting their surroundings. I am going to use the DE I have in the coops mixed with fresh shavings to see if that helps in case they are not being killed with the ivermectin.

I had a brief issue with lice when I bought chicks from someone and they had lice on them because I don't normally treat chicks until they are old enough to move to the coop and then it is a preventative, not because they have bugs. I used the DE at the time because I was afraid to use anything too strong on young birds and it was effective in getting rid of them. I just worry about respiratory irritation from using dust so I don't usually apply it directly to the chickens. I tried dustine my Silkies with it and it irritated me too much while also causing them to sneeze immediately after they were dusted so I have not used it again.

I know that with wild birds carrying mites there is always going to be mites in the environment a chicken lives in so I try not to get overly concerned if mites are present. I want to get rid of the blood suckers but I don't want to poison my birds in the process.

 

[dawg53]

When I spoke with Dave Holderread last week he mentioned that ivermectin has become completely useless in some parts of the country due to resistance but I did not think that was a problem here. I like that it is a broad spectrum treatment and easy to dose, even if it does require grabbing each bird individually rather than dusting their surroundings. I am going to use the DE I have in the coops mixed with fresh shavings to see if that helps in case they are not being killed with the ivermectin.

I had a brief issue with lice when I bought chicks from someone and they had lice on them because I don't normally treat chicks until they are old enough to move to the coop and then it is a preventative, not because they have bugs. I used the DE at the time because I was afraid to use anything too strong on young birds and it was effective in getting rid of them. I just worry about respiratory irritation from using dust so I don't usually apply it directly to the chickens. I tried dustine my Silkies with it and it irritated me too much while also causing them to sneeze immediately after they were dusted so I have not used it again.

I know that with wild birds carrying mites there is always going to be mites in the environment a chicken lives in so I try not to get overly concerned if mites are present. I want to get rid of the blood suckers but I don't want to poison my birds in the process.

I would be overly concerned if my birds had mites since they can cause anemia, then death. Here's a link with pics to help you discern the difference between lice and mites:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140

 

[ivan3]

Maybe I could get someone to send me some pour-on ivermectin so I could see for myself? I'd go buy a bottle, but it's just too expense, lol. I know for a fact that oral and injectable ivermectin do not treat poultry lice. I wonder if I used 1% topically if that would work? Maybe I'll find a mean ole rooster and try it.

-Kathy

Here's a thread with shots: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/457471/a-picture-with-bugs-new-pic-p3

If OD in poultry is anything like that in cats, the first sign I'd be watching for is ataxia...

 

[casportpony]

I found a rooster with lice, so I removed some a placed them on a paper towel drenched in ivermectin. Those that swam through it died, those that just touched it a little lived.

-Kathy

 

[Duck Drover]

I would be overly concerned if my birds had mites since they can cause anemia, then death. Here's a link with pics to help you discern the difference between lice and mites:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140

What generally happens for me is that I stay awake at night reading about all the potential threats to my chickens while they sleep cozy in their coop with no worries! I also like to use preventatives as much as possible to avoid problems.

The way I was able to tell mites from lice is that mites are red and lice are lighter colored. They came in on chicks I got from someone else and then I was able to see them against the black skin of my Silkies in order to know what they were since I had never seen them before. I really don't know all the different species of each so as long as they are exterminated I have not researched further.

 

[Duck Drover]

Here's a thread with shots: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/457471/a-picture-with-bugs-new-pic-p3

If OD in poultry is anything like that in cats, the first sign I'd be watching for is ataxia...

I looked up ataxia to see if it is reversible and I could not find much about whether it is permanent or not. There are some drugs to treat it but I don't know what would be recommended for chickens and unfortunately this is not my bird so I am unable to do anything myself. The bird in question was very likely stressed and overheated from being in a box with no air holes for hours and then poisoned with ivermectin while in a weakened (near death) condition. The overheating and lack of air were not fatal but I don't know if the poisoning is as easily remedied with rest. Because the pour-on is intended to be effective for a prolonged period of time, the ataxia may also be ongoing so that neurological symptoms are ongoing but maybe death is not a certain outcome as I feared. Hopefully the damage is reversible.

 

[chooks4life]

Ataxia is reversible in some cases but it's one of those things that relies more on the recovery abilities of the patient rather than anything you add to it.

Best wishes.

 

[casportpony]

For those that want to safely use ivermectin in the future:

• The pour-on dose is .1ml per 2.2 pounds (.5mg/kg). Pour on only.
• The 1% injectable dose is .02ml per 2.2 pounds (.2mg/kg). This can be injected or given orally.

An average sized RIR hen weighs 2.9kg, so she would get:

• .29ml of the pour on
• .058ml of the 1% injectable

-Kathy

Edited to add:
Let me know if there is an error in my math!

 

[Michael Apple]

For those that want to safely use ivermectin in the future:

• The pour-on dose is .1ml per 2.2 pounds (.5mg/kg). Pour on only.
• The 1% injectable dose is .02ml per 2.2 pounds (.2mg/kg). This can be injected or given orally.

An average sized RIR hen weighs 2.9kg, so she would get:

• .29ml of the pour on
• .058ml of the 1% injectable

-Kathy

Edited to add:
Let me know if there is an error in my math!

Good information for those insistent upon using Ivermectin. Why they insist upon it is still baffling. It really serves no purpose for poultry and there are much safer and more effective alternatives.