Valbazen for treating tape worms

[chick6870]

Does Valbazen treat tape worms? I just treated my flock .5 ml. I am still seeing tapeworm segments in the poop. Treatment was 5 days ago. How long should it take and will I see dead tape worm segments? Not sure how to tell it is working.

 

[coach723]

For tapeworm you would be better off getting some praziquantel and treating with that. Valbazen can do SOME types of tapes, but not all. You can get praziquantel in Equimax horse paste or Zimectrin Gold. Equimax is more cost effective, but either will work. Dosing is here in post #6.

 

[chick6870]

Is it ok to start on the Equimax now since I just dosed 5 days ago with Valbazen?

 

[coach723]

Yes. Just don't redose the Valbazen, just switch to the Equimax and do both doses of that, do the second dose of that in 10 days.

 

[chick6870]

Is there a withdrawal period for Equimax? Both ivermectin and praziquantel are used in humans.

 

[coach723]

Standard withdrawl recommendations for most wormers are 14 days following dose. The residues, if any, are very tiny. Mostly risk of allergic reaction, which is rare. Many people disregard and use the eggs anyway, I have been for years, no issues. But make the decision you are comfortable with. If it worries you or you have concern, toss the eggs for that period, don't feed them back to the chickens.

 

[chick6870]

Thank you for all your help. Hopefully last question can I add the paste to a piece of bread to give them or do I need to put it in a syringe in their mouth? I don't want to under dose.

 

[coach723]

It is much better to measure with a syringe. There are posts about giving "pea sized" and that is really subjective and does result in under dosing. It's far better to give a little too much, than a little too little. When you end up with a difficult to measure fraction, round up to the next measurable amount, not down. Under dosing can lead to resistant parasites.
This is an explanation of why "pea sized" is not a good idea:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-sized-blob-of-horse-paste-de-wormer.1141545/

 

[chick6870]

Thank you for your help!

 

[Chelsee9gooler]

For tapeworm you would be better off getting some praziquantel and treating with that. Valbazen can do SOME types of tapes, but not all. You can get praziquantel in Equimax horse paste or Zimectrin Gold. Equimax is more cost effective, but either will work. Dosing is here in post #6.

For the zimectrin gold paste could you share directions in step by step. And if your whole flock of 18 shares everything would I treat all or just the ones I know have obvious tapeworms?
I'm new to chickens. They're about 9mo old and most are 4lbs, I have 3 that are 5ish lbs.