Ivermectin is a parasite control medication used to control some types of worms and mites in chickens, other poultry, and livestock. Ivermectin is most often used to treat, scaley leg mites, gastrointestinal roundworms, grubs flies, most sucking and biting lice, and sarcoptic mange mites (but not for blood sucking red mites, Northern fowl mites or Tropical fowl mites or soft ticks). Ivermectin is also commonly used to control lice and myiasis caused by screwworm flies, bot flies, and warble flies, parasitic roundworms, gastrointestinal and pulmonary for poultry, livestock, cats, cattle, horses, and pigs. It can be administered in four different ways: pour on, injectable, drench or can be added to feed.
Ivermectin does not protect against tapeworms, flukes, fleas, mosquitoes, horse flies, deer flies, or stable flies and other flying insects. Pour on Ivermectin can control horn flies on cattle. Be sure to use this product only as directed on packaging or as directed by a veterinarian, as improper use can cause death.
There is no egg withdrawl period listed for Ivermectin but it is recommended to wait at least 7 days before eating eggs from treated birds.
Dosage: For chickens and ducks: 0.2-0.4 mg/kg PO, SC, IM, topical once, and can be repeated in 10-14 days.
Possible side effects of Ivermectin treatment or overdose are diarrhea, ataxia (lack of coordination or impaired balance), blindness, abdominal swelling, and sudden death.
It is not advisable to use Ivermectin in combination with other treatments because certain can decrease metabolism and reduce the effectiveness. Treatments such as, Clotrimazole, Erythromycin, Doxycycline, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Pentobarbital, St. John s Wort, and Voriconazole should not be administered in combination with Ivermectin (PoultryDVM).
A November 1990 report about a study done on chickens in a controlled group who were given Ivermectin as a parasite treatment discovered, ""The drug was found to be 90 and 95% effective against immature and adult worms, respectively. The lower lesion score and post-treatment near-normal haematobiochemical picture in treated birds confirmed these observations. The treated birds also had a better growth rate than the untreated chickens. The mature worms in the intestinal lumen of the host were more sensitive to the treatment than the immature stages of the parasite in the tissue phase" (2).
See more about Ivermectin below and parasite control below.
Ivermectin does not protect against tapeworms, flukes, fleas, mosquitoes, horse flies, deer flies, or stable flies and other flying insects. Pour on Ivermectin can control horn flies on cattle. Be sure to use this product only as directed on packaging or as directed by a veterinarian, as improper use can cause death.
There is no egg withdrawl period listed for Ivermectin but it is recommended to wait at least 7 days before eating eggs from treated birds.
Dosage: For chickens and ducks: 0.2-0.4 mg/kg PO, SC, IM, topical once, and can be repeated in 10-14 days.
Possible side effects of Ivermectin treatment or overdose are diarrhea, ataxia (lack of coordination or impaired balance), blindness, abdominal swelling, and sudden death.
It is not advisable to use Ivermectin in combination with other treatments because certain can decrease metabolism and reduce the effectiveness. Treatments such as, Clotrimazole, Erythromycin, Doxycycline, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Pentobarbital, St. John s Wort, and Voriconazole should not be administered in combination with Ivermectin (PoultryDVM).
A November 1990 report about a study done on chickens in a controlled group who were given Ivermectin as a parasite treatment discovered, ""The drug was found to be 90 and 95% effective against immature and adult worms, respectively. The lower lesion score and post-treatment near-normal haematobiochemical picture in treated birds confirmed these observations. The treated birds also had a better growth rate than the untreated chickens. The mature worms in the intestinal lumen of the host were more sensitive to the treatment than the immature stages of the parasite in the tissue phase" (2).
See more about Ivermectin below and parasite control below.
Do Not Use Products In Any other way than prescribed
We do not advise using any product in any way other than how the label instructions tell you to do it or how your veterinarian tells you. Even though, several people have said they have used the injectible Ivermectin as a topical treatment and testify to it's effectiveness, there is now way to determine the long term effects of using the product inconsistent with it's labeling. Here are a few examples of people who used the injectible Ivermectin on chickens I found on Amazon product questions and answers:
Question: Could this be used on chickens? I don't mean as an injection, I mean dripped on a chicken to cure lice/mites?
Answer:
I used this on a special needs chicken (she has a crossed beak and can't preen) who had lice. 1 drop on the back of her neck, and presto the lice were gone. This was months ago and no sign of lice.
By Hillary on May 9, 2017
Question: Could this be used on chickens? I don't mean as an injection, I mean dripped on a chicken to cure lice/mites?
Answer:
I used this on a special needs chicken (she has a crossed beak and can't preen) who had lice. 1 drop on the back of her neck, and presto the lice were gone. This was months ago and no sign of lice.
By Hillary on May 9, 2017
Food grade DE (Diatometaceous Earth) Can Be Used to Get rid of poultry parasites
Foodgrade DE can get rid of internal and external parasites. "I use 1/2 cup mixed well into 50lbs of feed once a month and powder the birds once a month by putting them in a brown paper bag with a hole cut out for their head to poke through which has DE inside the bag. Then I just shake the bag (not the chicken) for a few seconds and then release the bird"--Motherhen Find out more about it here:Go to How to Use Foodgrade DE for Chickens
About Ivermectin-Excerpt from Merck's Veterinary Manual
"Ivermectin is an avermectin and a fermentation product of Streptomyces avermitilis (also see Macrocyclic Lactones). It acts as a GABA agonist, causing paralysis in susceptible arthropods and nematodes. It is used in small animals for treatment of Sarcoptes scabiei, Otodectes cynotis, Cheyletiella blakei, C yasguri, and Demodex canis; in cattle for psoroptic mange, lice, and Hypoderma larvae; in horses for equine filarial dermatitis from Onchocerca cervicalis; and in swine for Sarcoptes scabiei.
In small animals, all use for skin conditions is extra-label in the USA. For Demodex, the dosage is 0.3–0.6 mg/kg/day, PO, until two negative skin scrapings 1 mo apart. For Sarcoptes, Otodectes, and Cheyletiella, the dosage is 0.3 mg/kg, PO, repeated in 2 wk. In cattle, 0.2 mg/kg is given as a single SC injection for Psoroptes and lice. In horses, 0.2 mg/kg, PO, kills microfilariae but not adult Onchocerca cervicalis, so relapse may be noted within 2 mo of treatment. In swine, the dosage is 0.3 mg/kg, SC, repeated in 2 wk, or 0.1–0.2 mg/kg in feed for 7 days.
In mammals, GABA is found only in the CNS and does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier. At least 10 times the normal dose of ivermectin is needed for toxic reactions. Ataxia, depression, and visual impairment develop in horses given 2 mg/kg, PO. In cattle, 4 mg/kg by drench or 8 mg/kg, SC, leads to listlessness and ataxia; 30 mg/kg induces ataxia in swine.
Some dog breeds (Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Old English Sheepdogs, Australian Collies, and their crosses) have an abnormality in the blood-brain barrier associated with a mutation of the multiple drug resistance gene MDR1, which allows increased ivermectin into the CNS and results in toxicity. Dogs that are homozygous for the mutation produce a severely truncated P-glycoprotein (<10% of the normal amino acid sequence) and will develop ivermectin toxicity at any of the dosages used to treat demodicosis. The critical point seems to be 120–150 mcg/kg, at which transient, nonfatal clinical signs (mydriasis, ataxia, tremors) are seen. At higher dosages, collapse, coma, and respiratory collapse may develop. Similar idiosyncratic reactions may develop in any breed, so a gradually increasing dose (daily progression of 50, 100, 150, 200, then 300 mcg/kg) should be given to identify susceptible individuals. Administration should be stopped if any adverse effects are seen. One cat treated with 4 mg of the oral paste (~70 mcg/kg) showed ataxia, blindness, tremors, and mydriasis, with retinal atrophy in one eye 10 hr later".(Retrieved on Oct 3, 2017 from Merck Veterinary Manuel. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pharmacology/systemic-pharmacotherapeutics-of-the-integumentary-system/antiparasitics-for-integumentary-disease}
In small animals, all use for skin conditions is extra-label in the USA. For Demodex, the dosage is 0.3–0.6 mg/kg/day, PO, until two negative skin scrapings 1 mo apart. For Sarcoptes, Otodectes, and Cheyletiella, the dosage is 0.3 mg/kg, PO, repeated in 2 wk. In cattle, 0.2 mg/kg is given as a single SC injection for Psoroptes and lice. In horses, 0.2 mg/kg, PO, kills microfilariae but not adult Onchocerca cervicalis, so relapse may be noted within 2 mo of treatment. In swine, the dosage is 0.3 mg/kg, SC, repeated in 2 wk, or 0.1–0.2 mg/kg in feed for 7 days.
In mammals, GABA is found only in the CNS and does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier. At least 10 times the normal dose of ivermectin is needed for toxic reactions. Ataxia, depression, and visual impairment develop in horses given 2 mg/kg, PO. In cattle, 4 mg/kg by drench or 8 mg/kg, SC, leads to listlessness and ataxia; 30 mg/kg induces ataxia in swine.
Some dog breeds (Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Old English Sheepdogs, Australian Collies, and their crosses) have an abnormality in the blood-brain barrier associated with a mutation of the multiple drug resistance gene MDR1, which allows increased ivermectin into the CNS and results in toxicity. Dogs that are homozygous for the mutation produce a severely truncated P-glycoprotein (<10% of the normal amino acid sequence) and will develop ivermectin toxicity at any of the dosages used to treat demodicosis. The critical point seems to be 120–150 mcg/kg, at which transient, nonfatal clinical signs (mydriasis, ataxia, tremors) are seen. At higher dosages, collapse, coma, and respiratory collapse may develop. Similar idiosyncratic reactions may develop in any breed, so a gradually increasing dose (daily progression of 50, 100, 150, 200, then 300 mcg/kg) should be given to identify susceptible individuals. Administration should be stopped if any adverse effects are seen. One cat treated with 4 mg of the oral paste (~70 mcg/kg) showed ataxia, blindness, tremors, and mydriasis, with retinal atrophy in one eye 10 hr later".(Retrieved on Oct 3, 2017 from Merck Veterinary Manuel. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pharmacology/systemic-pharmacotherapeutics-of-the-integumentary-system/antiparasitics-for-integumentary-disease}
The Merck Veterinary Manual 11th Edition
The Merck Veterinary Manual (MVM) covers all domesticated species and diseases in veterinary medicine worldwide. This completely revised and redesigned new edition of the veterinary classic uses a two-column format and color throughout for easy-to-read text and tables. Hundreds of color images enhance and illustrate the text. In addition to extensive revisions and updates, this edition includes a new section on public health and zoonoses, expanded coverage of fish and aquaculture, new chapters on backyard poultry, toxicologic workplace hazards, smoke inhalation, and additional coverage of numerous new and emerging topics in veterinary medicine.The Merck Veterinary Manual (MVM) covers all domesticated species and diseases in veterinary medicine worldwide. This completely revised and redesigned new edition of the veterinary classic uses a two-column format and color throughout for easy-to-read text and tables. Hundreds of color images enhance and illustrate the text. In addition to extensive revisions and updates, this edition includes a new section on public health and zoonoses, expanded coverage of fish and aquaculture, new chapters on backyard poultry, toxicologic workplace hazards, smoke inhalation, and additional coverage of numerous new and emerging topics in veterinary medicine.
References:
1. Ivermectin for chickens and ducks.(PoultryDVM). http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/ivermectin
Mestorino, Nora, et al.. Residue depletion of ivermectin in broiler poultry Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 34.4 (2017)
Moreno, Laura, et al.. Ivermectin Pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and tissue/egg residue profiles in laying hens Journal of agricultural and food chemistry (2015)
See more at: http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/ivermectin
2. Sharma RL, Bhat TK, Hemaprasanth. Anthelmintic activity of ivermectin against experimental Ascaridia galli infection in chickens. Vet Parasitol. 1990 Nov;37(3-4):307-14. doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(90)90014-3. PMID: 2267731.
1. Ivermectin for chickens and ducks.(PoultryDVM). http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/ivermectin
Mestorino, Nora, et al.. Residue depletion of ivermectin in broiler poultry Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 34.4 (2017)
Moreno, Laura, et al.. Ivermectin Pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and tissue/egg residue profiles in laying hens Journal of agricultural and food chemistry (2015)
See more at: http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/ivermectin
2. Sharma RL, Bhat TK, Hemaprasanth. Anthelmintic activity of ivermectin against experimental Ascaridia galli infection in chickens. Vet Parasitol. 1990 Nov;37(3-4):307-14. doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(90)90014-3. PMID: 2267731.
