Tapeworm Deworming Questions

[Leslieb118]

From what I've read on a lot of Dawg53's posts on tapeworms, they can be very difficult to get rid of. You're on the right track. I'd follow his advice and just keep up with what you're doing. I'm sure he'll check back in on this thread fairly soon, maybe in the morning, and will advise you on what to do next. In the meantime, you might do a search on here again for tapeworms and find threads he's posted in. I know I've seen several, and several people have had to do quite a few treatments to get rid of them. Good luck!!

ETA: I just read this post from the beginning because at first I noticed it was an older one and I skipped to the end without reading.

This one is pretty informative though!

 

[dawg53]

Update- treated the tapeworm ridden pullet again. So she has been given Valbazen a total of 3 times, 4 days apart. It is now 4 days from her last treatment and I am still seeing tons of worms. Should I switch meds or wait it out? I am seeing a lot more worms now than before she was treated. Not exactly sure what that means. Briefly talked to a vet at A&M who thought the 3rd round of Valbazen would get rid of it and it was good that I was seeing the worms come out. Seems like there should be less by now??

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Wait 5 days after last dosing with valbazen and if you're still seeing segments in feces, purchase Zimectrin Gold equine paste wormer.
It contains praziquantel, aka droncit/drontal for treating tapeworms in dogs and cats. Dosage is a "pea" size amount of the orange paste given orally to each chicken. Once administered, the chicken will wipe her beak for abit...this is normal. Then redose again in 10 days. There's a 14 day withdrawal after last dosing.

 

[BrandyS]

Thank you! I had seen (most likely one of your) posts a long time ago and was trying to remember what the paste was. I am about a week out and still tons of the nasty little tapes, so will give it a try.

 

[BrandyS]

FYI The Zimectrin Gold worked like a charm! Dosed in the afternoon and the tapes were gone the next day!! Thanks so much, I thought we would have them forever.

 

[Gallus Sapien]

Should a person just start with the Zimectrin Gold, and if so, where would one buy it. Thanks

 

[BrandyS]

Everyone told me to start with Valbazen for tapes but after hearing my experience I know a chicken breeder who started right off with Zimectrin Gold and it worked well. I bought mine at our local farm supply store. It is for horses so look with the horse dewormers. Remember just to use a tiny amount- I probably used less than a bb size on my bird who was 4 lbs at the time (though I now believe she was down in weight due to the tapes). Would be interested to hear others' views on starting with Zimectrin- I am guessing it is either more toxic or chicken people don't use it as much since it is for large animals... Good luck!

 

[Gallus Sapien]

Thanks for the reply

I will keep you posted.

 

[moehappyhens]

Hi! I have read this thread from the top and I need help! I have 19 chickens and have had a tapeworm problem for months. I have done rounds of the Zimectrin Gold and the worms always come back. Separating the chickens is not an option since I have 19 of them and I a pretty sure all of them have it. So, since this is such a nasty infestation I am going to try agin and see if maybe this time works. It has been a few months since I have tried.

Just so I have it right - withdraw food for 24 hours. Give me all a pea size amount in their mouth. Give a little food but plenty of water the whole time. Then, do it all over again in 10 days? Can I do it again 10 days later if I still see the worms? I really am desperate to get rid of the worms because my chickens are looking thin. I have lost many nights of sleep over this!

Thank you for any guidance and help you can give me!

 

[BrandyS]

I'd like to get advice on how to get rid of the tapes in the environment. It seems like you could eradicate them in the chickens only for them to eat a snail or slug and get reinfected. Are there other intermediate hosts besides snails/slugs that anyone is aware of? Any suggestions to get rid of them. Previously, I have ceased watering our bushes and sprinkled DE everywhere I could. I did not see any tapes for 6 months+ but now they are back and in more than one of my chickens so they are somewhere in the environment. I want them gone!!!

 

[Gallus Sapien]

Bandy--I saw a chart somewhere on BYC that showed all the diff. hosts for a large amount of the more common worms, but I can't find it now. I read that worm eggs can live in the dirt for years (7) even here with our wisconsin winters. Maybe longer if you live in a warmer climate than me.

Moe--Back to back wormings? Well your 1st dose must not have been too strong so I would try it BUT THAT IS ME I am no doctor and have just been starting this deworning stuff my self. I know next time i am getting something to put in the water to make it easier (18 hens).