Ivermectin Dosage????

[furchaser]

I am wanting to administer 1% solution of Ivermectin orally to my RT. Local Falconers said to be very careful with the dosage and consult a Vet. After numerous calls and a few visits to local and semi-local Veterinarians I have acquired more conflicting information than collaborating info. Searches on the INTERNET didn't turn up anything definite either. Finally conversed with a Avian Vet. that actually calculated the amount for a 33 oz. bird at .035 ml (cc). I know that an overdose can kill a bird and that it doesn't take much at these amounts to do that. I have heard everything from a low of the .035 ml to 3 ml/kg. I was just wanting to know what everybody else's experience/dosage has been with this drug.

[ehh]

The dose that I use is .2 ml / kg of 1%. This is higher than is recommended by most vets for raptors but is the standard dose for pigeons and I don't see why they should be different. Lower doses will miss a lot of worms, I know that. In any case a dose of .035 ml will in no way hurt your bird, I can assure you of that. You can go ahead and use that dose and then get a mute sample tested to make sure it worked. Remember to repeat in 10 days. That is essential since Ivermectin will not kill the early stages. And BTW, Ivermectin is not particularly dangerous to birds. Fenbedazole is the one that is dangerous and I would stay away from that.

[okiereddirthawker]

The standard dose of Ivermectin is 0.2mg/kg. A 1% solution is 10mg/ml. I read a study done in the UAE where they incrementally dosed up to 12mg/kg. Neurological signs were seen at doses of 7mg/kg and death above that. I have dosed as high as 2mg/kg with no ill effects.

[okiereddirthawker]

I feel I should also add that the administration of a drug without reason is contraindicated.... a fecal with conformation of a parasite load would be an indication for dosing.

[okiereddirthawker]

veterinaryrecord.bvapublications.com/cgi/content/abstract/148/19/596