Ivomec poisoning? Will he make it...?

[Miss Chuckles]

I recently treated my hens and 1 yr old rooster for worms with topical ivomec (3-4drops for the hens and 5 for the rooster as he's a bit bigger). Within 24 hrs we noticed the rooster was having difficulty walking and he fell over a couple of times and wasn't able to get back up on his own. By yesterday morning he could hardly walk at all and when he did, would stumble around looking almost like he was drunk. He seemed a little better by last night and was able to get back into the coop by himself. This morning he was worse - completely unable to walk, but again a little better by tonight. He's eating and drinking plenty with our help and at the moment I have him propped between 2 towels so he's not lying on his side or back. He seems mentally alert with no other obvious issues outside of this major problem. I feel really terrible but I've used ivomec several times before on advice of our vet (but never on this guy) and never had any problems. The hens are completely fine. My question is this: can he recover from this or is he damaged permanently? Is there anything I can do to improve his chances?

 

[dawg53]

Here's is a link regarding ivomec poisoning. Poultry isnt mentioned, but the symptoms you described are relative to the symptoms in other animals:
http://amberfoundation.org/PoisonOverdose/poiivm_IvermectinOverdose.html#TreatingOverdose
FYI: It might be best next time to switch to Safeguard (fenbendazole,) it's probably the safest wormer on the market.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I'm sorry for your rooster and you. I have never heard of that reaction before so I don't know what to say. At least your hens are doing ok.

 

[Miss Chuckles]

It's day 4 since the ivomec was given to the roo and day 3 of his symptoms - he's stll hanging in there and eating but no change in his ability to walk. An awful question but I'm wondering how long to keep him going until I should consider the 'alternative'? There seems to be mixed info on ivomec poisoning in dogs (nothing on poultry) where some fully recover after a number of weeks and some do not?

 

[dawg53]

It's day 4 since the ivomec was given to the roo and day 3 of his symptoms - he's stll hanging in there and eating but no change in his ability to walk. An awful question but I'm wondering how long to keep him going until I should consider the 'alternative'? There seems to be mixed info on ivomec poisoning in dogs (nothing on poultry) where some fully recover after a number of weeks and some do not?

There are remedies posted in that link if you read them. There isnt mixed info about ivomec and dogs. Some dogs such as collies and sheepdogs cant tolerate ivermectin and need to be treated with alternative products. There' s no mention of poultry because ivomec is not meant to be used in poultry, it is an off label wormer like all other wormers except wazine. The company (Merial) will tell you it's not for poultry, no help there.