Using Capstar To Kill Maggots . . . .

[GranderTheGander]

Capstar is sold to kill fleas on dogs and cats, but it also works on rabbits, ferrets, wildlife, etc. Plus, it kills maggots, and I seem to remember a thread somewhere where someone used it successfully to kill the maggots on a goose, by giving her part of a tablet and dissolving the rest in water and spraying it on the maggots. Has anyone currently here done that before with a bird or know someone who has? If so, how much Capstar was given and how much was sprayed on the bird?

I know with cats, you can give less than what is recommended and it works just as well killing fleas. For example, I give 1/8th of a large dog tablet when 1/5th would be the recommended dose. (Of course, the manufacturer wants you to buy the smaller cat tablets, in order to make more profit.) On rabbits and ferrets, I give just a small piece, less than an 8th, more like 1/16th or smaller. I put it on a tip of a banana for rabbits; although I've also mixed it in water and put in a syringe for larger rabbits. That's how I give it to cats. With ferrets, I crush the small piece into a powder and mix it with Nutrical. Capstar is safe enough to use every day, too, on cats and dogs, but I have never done that. I have given more just a few days later, though, to cats. In addition, I've crushed it up and mixed it with tuna or wet food for stray cats.

If Capstar does kill maggots as quick as it kills fleas, and can safely be used on birds, it would be great for all bird people to know this and to always have some on hand in case of flystrike. (It does have an expiration date, though.)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I seem to remember a thread somewhere where someone used it successfully to kill the maggots on a goose, by giving her part of a tablet and dissolving the rest in water and spraying it on the maggots. Has anyone currently here done that before with a bird or know someone who has? If so, how much Capstar was given and how much was sprayed on the bird?

Link? Can you give a link to what you read please?

 

[GranderTheGander]

Sorry, no. I found the post one day in a general search online, and I THINK it was a post from this forum, but am not sure. I remember, though, it was a successful treatment. If ever I find another duck or goose with maggots, I'm going to try it, because there is no other hope with bad infestations. I would prefer, though, to hear from others about what dosages they used.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry, no. I found the post one day in a general search online, and I THINK it was a post from this forum, but am not sure. I remember, though, it was a successful treatment. If ever I find another duck or goose with maggots, I'm going to try it, because there is no other hope with bad infestations. I would prefer, though, to hear from others about what dosages they used.

That's likely something you would have to research on your own.

Bad infestations, you would want to remove the maggots even if the medication worked. All of the wounds cleaned out well and first aid measures taken to hopefully prevent infection and promote healing.

 

[GranderTheGander]

That's likely something you would have to research on your own.

Bad infestations, you would want to remove the maggots even if the medication worked. All of the wounds cleaned out well and first aid measures taken to hopefully prevent infection and promote healing.

I've only saved one duck from maggots, the last one I ever found. He had two deep wounds in his upper back area, probably from a raccoon after his esophagus. In the past, I used hydrogen peroxide, which never killed all the maggots, and may have at first in this case. I don't remember. I only remember all I had left in the medicine cabinet was Burt's Bee Banana & Beeswax hand cream. Why not? All the park ducks with maggot infestations before him ended up dead anyway.

It actually worked in both wounds! I don't know if the cream suffocated the maggots or they ate it, but there were no more maggots the next morning. Now, the pekin could reach the wounds, so I'm not sure he wasn't messing with them, but actually I don't know where the maggots went. I reapplied the cream a few times and his skin very quickly turned pink and healed up. The drake lived for a few more years. I believe the last time I checked, that hand cream had been discontinued, and was only selling at outrageous prices by those who had some left. So, it's not an option any longer.

What do you use to heal up the skin?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Maggots can usually be flushed out with a strong spray of water. If need be use a little soap/water or soak the bird depending on where the wound and maggots are located.

Triple antibiotic ointment is good to use for wounds.