Questions about Equimax

[TheBantamRoo]

Hi!

A couple of days ago, I noticed that one of my Jersey Giant hens had passed a few tapeworm proglottids. Today I planned on ordering Equimax to treat it. I have some Safeguard (fenbendazole) that I have been using to deworm for the last few years, and it worked the last time I had tapes in the flock (about 3 years ago and none since) but I am reluctant to continue to use it because it's the only wormer I have, and I am trying to prevent any resistance from developing. I also know that fenbendazole isn't guaranteed to treat all tapeworm species. So here's my question: I know Equimax has prazi for the tapes and it's paired with Ivermectin. Does Ivermectin treat any other intestinal parasites or just ectoparasites like lice/mites? If so, can I use it later on as a normal worm treatment in spring/fall, or is Equimax only used when needed? I looked around but I don't remember seeing anything about it. Also, do yall recommend treating the entire flock when the Equimax arrives since it'll be a few days that the hen can run around or just the affected hen(s)?

Thanks!
- Levi

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use the Equimax only for tapeworm problems when you see the proglottids in poop. You only need to treat the ones you see with those droppings. Ivermectin may have lost some effectiveness against other more common worms, because some say it was overused in the past for mites. But I think you would need to get droppings checked before and after with a fecal float to confirm that. SafeGuard liquid goat wormer or fenbendazole horse paste, and Valbazen are the current favorite for common worms and very safe wormers of many poultry keepers. The dosage for Equimax is 0.03 ml per pound, or 0.16 ml given orally for a 5 pound chicken. You can repeat it in 14 days. I buy praziquantel. Or Droncit tablets from Chewy for my dog, and that is pure praziquantel. Dosage for chickens is 10 mg per kilogram or each 2.2 pounds. In dogs, they don’t repeat it. Tapeworms are obtained by animals and chickens who eat worms, beetles, snails and slugs, grasshoppers, and contaminated poop. In other words they need an intermediate host that contains the eggs. Getting rid of those hosts around your coop, and keeping droppings cleaned up may help to stop the reinfestation. Each segment or proglottid contains a bunch of eggs.

 

[TheBantamRoo]

For the valbazen, do you know of any reputable dealers? I found some at Tractor Supply but its a 500 mL bottle for $60. For the amount I would be using, it'll take me forever to use it all.