believer01, I also like Albendazole and Fenbendazole. Here is some info from my files - - for those of you not needing worming info, just leave off here.
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Albendazole, marketed as Albenza, Eskazole, Zentel and Andazol, is a member of the benzimidazole compounds used as a drug indicated for the treatment of a variety of worm infestations. Although this use is widespread in the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved albendazole for this indication. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. Albendazole was first discovered at the SmithKline Animal Health Laboratories in 1972. It is a broad spectrum anthelmintic, effective against:
roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes of domestic animals and humans. (I also have a copy of the statistics of its efficacy from a scientific study, for those interested.) I would use this at any time of year - - no problems reported with molting feathers.
11.36% solution
10 mg/kg (recommended by my own avian vet)
From MSU Ag Dept - -
Fenbendazole has been shown to be a very effective treatment for eliminating
Capillaria (capillary worms), Heterakis (cecal worms), Ascaridia (roundworms), and Syngamus spp. (gapeworms). Toxicity from overdosing with fenbendazole is very remote. Research indicates that amounts up to 100 times the recommended dosages have been given under research conditions without adverse effects to the birds.
Use of this product during molt, however, may cause deformity of the emerging feathers. (I would only use this in spring/summer, not during fall molt.)
10% solution (100mg/mL)
30 mg/kg - for capillaria, syngamus
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I have a spreadsheet that will calculate dosages by weight if you like. Even though I know around how much my girls weigh, I pop them onto a kitchen scale I bought just for the birds if I am medicating for anything.
I personally like these "newer" and less used meds for my birds, as does my vet. He worries that the older drugs are less effective on worms these days. Both drugs may usually be found at
TSC or at your local co-op. I shake well and use a 3 cc syringe to apply the tiny doses on little squares of sweet roll or something else I know the birds will eat. This seems the easiest way to administer to small numbers of birds and to be sure each one gets a proper dose. I separate each one for their dose, and put their little sweetie on a dish or on the ground, with maybe one or two untreated bites. When each girl is finished, I put her back and bring out the next one.
While you must go with your gut on treatment options, I personally would not worry about large worm expulsion affecting their health. I believe carrying an unhealthy worm load is far worse.
If you watch your pen/coop carefully, you may see dead and/or paralyzed worms in the droppings the day after worming. It is nasty, but do take note of the size and shape of the worms so you may understand what kinds you are dealing with. My guess is that if you have a worm issue, it is probably ascarids (round worms). (Oh, and clean them out of there! Oook!)
And . . . remembering the life cycle of worms, and the fact that most worm eggs have an interesting protective coating that makes them immune to most drugs, be sure to re-treat in 7-10 days to break the cycle and keep your girls clean for a good, long time.
Hope that helps. Please feel free to PM me if you would like more info. There's no need to PM me if that was waaayyyy more info than you ever needed.
