TAPEWORMS.... Help.

[RachB]

I need help with tapeworms. ok so I’ve treated my new pullets (4-5 months old - not laying yet) with Valbazen. 2nd dose was on the 12th (Sept). I probably should have started with Zimecterin Gold since I saw tapeworm segments wiggling in their droppings....but didn’t. Do I have to wait till the 22nd (10 days after the second Valbazen) to dose with Zimecterin? I have one pullet who seems lethargic all the time. Frequently closes eyes (even while walking- she will close one eye) and will separate herself to just lay down. I noticed tape segments in her droppings. I don’t want to over dose her, but would like to help her as quickly as possible. I’ve noticed tapeworms in several girls droppings.... so I’ll treat them all, just need to know how soon after the last Valbazen dose is safe. Thank you....

 

[coach723]

I would personally go ahead and dose her now since she is so symptomatic. The medications are different in the two wormers, and praziquantel is most effective for tapeworm. The 10 day repeat is to get any hatched worm eggs in the digestive tract before they mature enough to lay more. The medications usually kill the live worms, but do not kill the eggs, the repeat dosing breaks the cycle of the worms. Correct dosing for the tapeworms is here in post #6: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tapeworms-that-wont-go-away.1130035/