Nemex-2 (pyrantel pamoate) for wormer

[chic-lover]

I was told second handedly that an avian specialist uses the dog wormer Nemex-2 (pyrantel pamoate) as a wormer for her chickens. Unfortunately, I am uncertain of the dosage. It was second handedly suggested 5 mg to begin with then in 2 weeks increase to 10-15 mg. My problem is that the Nemex I bought is a liquid. I am not positive how to convert these mgs to mls. The dosage for a dog is 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs. My chickens weigh approximately 5 lbs. So if I were to give them 1/2 teaspoon would that be too much? I have heard and read in the forums that if they have a lot of worms, killing them off too rapidly can make the chickens sick. They have never been wormed and are 4 years old. I have from day one been using natural wormers (garlic, pumpkin, etc). But I recently learned when one of my chickens died that she did have worms. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[casportpony]

I was told second handedly that an avian specialist uses the dog wormer Nemex-2 (pyrantel pamoate) as a wormer for her chickens. Unfortunately, I am uncertain of the dosage. It was second handedly suggested 5 mg to begin with then in 2 weeks increase to 10-15 mg. My problem is that the Nemex I bought is a liquid. I am not positive how to convert these mgs to mls. The dosage for a dog is 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs. My chickens weigh approximately 5 lbs. So if I were to give them 1/2 teaspoon would that be too much? I have heard and read in the forums that if they have a lot of worms, killing them off too rapidly can make the chickens sick. They have never been wormed and are 4 years old. I have from day one been using natural wormers (garlic, pumpkin, etc). But I recently learned when one of my chickens died that she did have worms. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to BYC!

I think the dose for most *birds* is 4.5 mg/kg and Nemex is Pyrantel 4.54 mg/ml.

To calculate the dose for a bird - Weight of bird in pounds, divide by 2.2 (that converts to kg) , times 4.54 (mg per kg), divide by 4.54 (mg per ml). That looks like this for a five pound bird:

5 ÷ 2.2 x 4.54 ÷ 4.54 = 2.27 ml per five pounds

My Vet drug book says the low dog dose is 5 mg/ml, so that looks like this for a 10 pound dog:
10 ÷ 2.2 x 5 ÷ 4.54 = 5 ml per 10 pounds

The place I found the dose is here:
http://avianmedicine.net/content/uploads/2013/03/18.pdf

Does that help?

-Kathy

 

[chic-lover]

Thanks. Very helpful. if I am understanding you correctly, my chicken would need 2.27 ml of the Nemex for a dosage. I truly appreciate your response and help.

 

[casportpony]

Thanks.  Very helpful. if I am understanding you correctly, my chicken would need 2.27 ml of the Nemex for a dosage.  I truly appreciate your response and help.

That is how I understand it. If it's easier, probably okay to round up to 2.5ml (1/2 teaspoon) per five pounds.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

For other people reading this, please note that the doses mentioned are for Nemex 2, they are *not* for the 50mg/ml in the 16 or 32 ounce bottles.

-Kathy

 

[chic-lover]

Perfect. Thanks again.