Worms....in a nutshell

[Pigeonpal2002]

Thanks Yong for bringing this topic up. I think it's worth while to give a bit more information about worms.

Worms and pigeons are NOT a good combination. They can directly bring the bird's health down by a number of ways. 1) they take vital nutrients from the bird and cause the bird to have to eat more in order to compensate. 2)In large numbers they can cause blockages in the intestines that can be fatal! 3) they produce toxins that harm the bird, 4) infestations can affect moulting, cause severe weight loss and diarrhea, and 4) they can infect the lungs and cause respiratory problems (lung worm).

The thing I fear most about worms, is their surreptitious ways. They literally can be unseen, undetected and no matter how good we think our husbandry/cleaning practices are...they can still manage to infect the birds.

Round worms: Lives in the small intestine. Between 1.5 - 2 inches long. The eggs need time to "ripen" outside a host which is about 10 days before they can be infectious to the bird. After this time, if a pigeon eats something that is contaminated by worm eggs, they will hatch in the intestines. Once there, they attach themselves to the wall of the intestines and do their damage.

Thread/Hair worms: These are much smaller, almost microscopic to the naked eye. They also live in the intestines but can do more damage than round worms. All the same conditions apply as the round worm in it's methods of infection and harm.

Lung worm/gapeworm: Much less common than the other two types in pigeons. This type of worm only requires one male and female each. Once the male and female come together, their breeding cycle is finished and the worm is expelled through the mouth of the pigeon but in the mean time it causes severe stress on the bird because of breathing difficulties.

Worms are insidious, horrific and easily transmittable. I've often said this and it's so true. No matter how much you clean, how diligant a person is, these parasites can get into a bird and do damage. Everyone should have their birds tested for worms if possible. The treatments are easy and fast working but they also should become routine once their presence has been previously detected.

[Pigeonpal2002]

I forget to mention...if you don't see evidence or the presense of worms in the birds' droppings, this means nothing. Worms will often not show themselves through fecal elimination. It's not a good idea to judge whether or not you see them in droppings, because 95% of the time, you won't see them until after treatment.

[KIPPY]

What is a good prevention against worms? or What can you use to get rid of all these worms?

[Birdmom4ever]

All the pigeon supply places sell wormers. Check Foy's or Global's:

Foy’s Pigeon Supply: http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/

Global Pigeon Supply: http://globalpigeon.com/

Personally I use Global's multi-mix for canker, coccidiosis and worms every few months and I've never seen evidence of worms in my pigeons. Several have been checked during vet visits for other problems and no worms showed up when they were tested, so I think the meds are pretty effective.

I also periodically use diotomaceous earth (DE) a natural wormer. It kills worms mechanically rather than using toxic chemicals. You can sprinkle it on your pigeons' feed. I'm sure there are other sources, but you can get it from Avian Medicine Chest: www.petmedicinechest.com

[Lin Hansen]

Hey Birdmom,

The idea of natural remedies such as the diotomaceous earth (DE) is interesting. I know Maryco and Reti (I think) are also interested in natural alternatives to medications as a means for cure and for overall good health. Are there any more alternatives in the "medicine chest" that you know of and can advise us all on?

Thanks
Linda

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by Birdmom4ever

. Several have been checked during vet visits for other problems and no worms showed up when they were tested, so I think the meds are pretty effective.

I also periodically use diotomaceous earth (DE) a natural wormer. It kills worms mechanically rather than using toxic chemicals. You can sprinkle it on your pigeons' feed. I'm sure there are other sources, but you can get it from Avian Medicine Chest: www.petmedicinechest.com

Hi Birdmom, You are right. The key to keeping worms in check is regular treatments. Once worms have reared their ugly heads in a loft or pen, it's very hard to completely erradicate them. Check the sources on the net or in pigeon books. You will often see references to "burning or torching" loft floors to kill them. Regular bleach and disinfectants don't always suffice. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but rather just inform them that worms are much more resiliant and hardy than many think.


As far as diotomaceous earth, there has been new studies on this with birds. I am sorry but I forget exactly what the concerns are at this time. Mary can tell you them. I was once in favour of this natural product as well until Mary and a few others enlightened me about it. Garlic is a better natural alternative to "discourage" worms from setting up house in large numbers. However and unfortunately, once they DO take up house, oftentimes, worming medications are the only for sure way to get rid of them completely.

[KIPPY]

Garlic, does garlic get rid of worms? At one time I had garlic bulbs growing in the pigeon house. Kip chowed on them non stop so I quit doing that, not sure if you can have a garlic over dose. Can they over do it on garlic?

[phyll]

Thanks for your informative post, Brad.
When I mentioned Jesse's watery poops (fine now) to a pigeon rescuer, they mentioned worms.
Now I'm worried again.
Jesse has been here exactly thirteen months tonight.
Is it a possiblity that he may have had worms all this time?
Do you know if worm medication can be harmful in any way? If Jesse does not have worms, I would hate to give him a drug unnecessarily.
Thanks.

Phyll

[maryco]

Thanks for the interesting post..

Lin, That could workd (the DE) though I have heard about it having negative effects if inhaled, and or used in open areas in the loft. As for it being taken internally I guess it could be put in a capsule and should be just fine.
I think black seed would also have positive effects on worms, I wish someone could do some study on it though : )
Garlic is good of course as well... And probably if it's used regularly can help boost the immune system and keep away these types of parasites.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by phyll

Thanks for your informative post, Brad.
When I mentioned Jesse's watery poops (fine now) to a pigeon rescuer, they mentioned worms.
Now I'm worried again.
Jesse has been here exactly thirteen months tonight.
Is it a possiblity that he may have had worms all this time?
Do you know if worm medication can be harmful in any way? If Jesse does not have worms, I would hate to give him a drug unnecessarily.
Thanks.

Phyll

Hi Phyll,

Yes, it is possible that Jesse had worms prior to you getting him. But before you start to worry....do you have a vet that you trust? If you do, then you could take Jesse in for a fecal float. They don't cost very much and they can test for worms and other internal parasites. It's best if you have two tests done actually just to make sure nothing shows up. This way, you won't be medicating him unnecessarily. I use ivermectin (Ivomec) as a wormer myself and it is used my many vets to treat birds. It's safe as any of them and I've never had a problem with over dosing or side effects. You should see my birds poop these days

I hope you will ease your mind and get a fecal float done

[Motherlodelofts]

Brad do you use the injectable ? normally that is what I use and drop a couple of drops down the throat. But a buddy of mine is a sales rep for livestock Meds and says that the injectable is designed for just that, injecting, he uses the skin asorbing Ivomec which I just tried, it is just hard for me to compare though as worms aren't a real problem here and the birds are never on the ground. Normally I only worm every two or three years or if I suspect something with a bird worm wise. Has anyone else tried the skin absorbing Ivomec ? Phyll I would worm the bird just "because" but after that not be to concerned about it unless you let the bird peck around on the ground outside or bring other birds that might be invested, of which should be wormed also. Where you live and conditions play a large role , in other words we get about 4 montes of very dry heat which is why worms aren't a big problem due to droppings on the floor or ground, some area's you get alot of humidity along with heat and these type of areas can be more prone to problems on a whole expessially if such area's don't have freezing temps during the Winter, dry heat and freezing temps are both helpful, where warmth and moisture is Ideal for bacteria and things such as worms.
Just my opinion

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Scott,

Yes, I've got the injectable Ivomec now. It can be either injected into the skin or given orally. I wouldn't attempt an actual injection myself. Some vets might do this but I give it orally like you do. My vet uses the injectable orally though. The other Ivomec is called "pour on" and I've used this before as well. A couple of drops on the back of the neck. Now they say that using the pour-on is also effective in getting rid of internal parasites as well as external ones. I never feel "safe" that the pour-on works internally so I use the injectable to be sure. I'm sure the pour-on does in fact work like it should however because this is how it's administered to cattle to de-worm them.

[Yong]

Such a yummy topic!

I use as a flock and individual bird treatment (same bottle) Moxidectin Plus. It is the same as Moxidectin, but the Plus version also does tape worms. I used to use Droncit and Panacur, but have found that the Moxidectin Plus was more effective and not as harmful.

I buy it from http://www.siegelpigeons.com/catalog-worms.html

It's cheaper than a vet visit (125ml, $24.00), and it can be added to water for flock treatment, or squirted into the mouth. This was the med I used in my worm picture.

The product was developed by Dr. Colin Walker, "The Flying Vet." (Australian Pigeon Company)

Yong

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by phyll

Is it a possiblity that he may have had worms all this time?

Hi Phyll,

I meant to address this. Yes, it is possible for pigeons to carry worms over a long period of time and show little signs problems. Worms aren't always fatal, in fact, birds can live in an equalibrium with them. It mostly depends on how bad the infestation gets. Most wild birds carry worms of some form and degree of infestation. I think you should really get a fecal float done though.

Yong,

Thanks for that information about the moxidectin...looks like good stuff. I remember seeing it before and just about bought some. I might still as med to rotate with.

[mr squeaks]

Mr. Squeaks passed what looked like a round worm after he healed from having his right-side flight feathers amputated. A previous fecal check was, supposedly, negative.

I took the worm to my Avian Vet, who prescribed Panacur. Squeaks passed SIX more worms. No problems since. HOWEVER, he is having another fecal done tomorrow at a general check-up appointment.