Quick question. after going through lots of topics here with Ivermectin in the thread I was wondering if it is the only treatment to use for birds?

 

In the Rat and Mouse Club we also have issues with Mites, sometimes worms, lice too - and we require our members to treat for these ailments. We used to recommend using Ivermectin (Oral mainly - used a horse based past and fed with toothpick, or Sheep Oral from vet), but now we actually recommend our members use Revolution/Advantage/Advocate/Frontline etc instead. Members use a tube for their colonly and use a needleless syringe to place on the scruff of the neck.

 

 

So why do you use Ivermectin exclusively, is it the only one safe for birds?

I dont use ivermectin exclusively. I use it and other methods for varying reasons and situations.

1. If I see a bird in the aviary with the beginnings of scalyface, I catch it and apply ivermectin to the back of the neck.......spot on method.

2. Any incoming birds ( new birds ) automatically get a spot of ivermectin.

3. Any birds pulled from the aviary and before being put in the breeder cage get spot on ivermectin.

4. In between, birds in the aviary get the water soluable ivermectin in their drinking water. Or S76.

5. Any suspected feather mites ...the bird gets a soaking of Avian Insecticidal Liquidator by pump pack spray.

 

 

Spot on ivermectin is used in most cases because its easy and quick and one only application. Flock treatment requires different methods as I have a LOT of birds and spot on in those cases would be very difficult.

 

I think thats about it.

The exotics vet at my uni uses a related compound called selamectin from an extremely diluted cattle drench. (I know this is also in some of the drugs you mentioned above). BUT I would not do this without the advice of a bird vet with an exotic animal drug formulary, as I don't know the dose rate and it appears to be extremely different to what is used for ivermectin. (Our vet had to look it up and only used it because it is the only drench available in our pharmacy). I don't know about the ones you mentioned, it is likely that there is not enough scientific or veterinary anecdotal evidence to warrant their use, especially in non-mammalian species with completely different physiology and thus metabolism/effects/excretion. (Also, those drugs listed above have multiple compounds, none of which have been specifically tested in birds, and much less different types of birds).

 

Please note that ivermectin is not registered for use in birds, which means the drug company hasn't done any registration tests for their safety and effects (good and bad) in birds. Non-registered drug use is based on scientific theory with clinical evidence rather than actual drug trials. Ivermectin is widely used by bird vets and there is enough veterinary anecdotal evidence for its use. This is probably the reason why other drugs are not used as extensively.

Edited June 5, 200915 yr by Chrysocome

"selamectin"

 

That's the stuff that's in Revolution for cats.

Never seen selamectin use in cattle at least here is Australia.

 

As Chryo says Ivermectin has been around a long while now, vets have determined it's use is safe for birds. I doubt that, having found a safe cheap and easy way to treat birds using Ivermectin, other compounds have been tested by either chemical companies or vets. None the less selamectin is in the same family of chemicals as Ivermectin and could possibly work - bags not being the first to try it out though........

 

Have heard of someone trying out a cattle spot-on from the organophosphate family of chemicals and wiping out almost their entire stud as they had heard that cattle pour-ons where what you use on budgies!!!!! I guess this is why technically vets are the only ones legally allowed to use chemicals off-label.

Edited June 8, 200915 yr by nubbly5

*blinks* I could have sworn she said selamectin, but maybe she actually meant cydectin. I trust you know your drenches well, and you are right now that I think about it (forgive me, I've been studying dogs and cats all week.. largies aren't my forte). I'll have to go to the pharmacy and look it up when exams are over.

 

In any case.... I'd stick with ivermectin.

*blinks* I could have sworn she said selamectin, but maybe she actually meant cydectin. I trust you know your drenches well, and you are right now that I think about it (forgive me, I've been studying dogs and cats all week.. largies aren't my forte). I'll have to go to the pharmacy and look it up when exams are over.

 

In any case.... I'd stick with ivermectin.

 

 

MIMS will do the trick!

 

Very good luck with your exams Chryso! Have you had any yet? And WHY are you on here aren't you supposed to be studying?