Aussie Finch Forum

Not a finch but one of my cockatiels the poor thing had a number of developmental problems and I didn't expect her to survive for long, she recently passed and I did an autopsy well on top of the developmental problems (she had a hugely shorted keel and her internal organs were really compressed) she also had worms, I've got ivomectin here and will treat all my birds with that but was wondering is that completely effective or should I also use another product to make sure I get rid of them. Not sure what type of worms, quite long ones through her gut but also found some through her liver and other visera.

Equimax liquid or moxidectin plus are far more effective (& soluble) against a wider range of worms including tapeworm which your descriptions sound like to me.

Thanks Tiaris, will grab some from work tomorrow (thank god for working at a vets lol)

Hi Maz,

They are most likely Ascarids (roundworms) in a cockatiel.
These all have a direct life-cycle ie birds become infected by swallowing droppings contaminated with worm eggs.
The ground in the cage will be contaminated with worm eggs. Therefore worming alone will not eliminate the problem.
You can't disinfect the ground. Worm eggs will only be killed by intense heat (ie blow torch!!) or removal of the top layer of soil/sand. Good drainage also helps limit the survival of the eggs.

Moxidectin and Fenbendazole (Panacur 25) are 2 good wormers for roundworms.

For other birds in the same aviary repeat the worming in 14 days.

Sounds like I'm doing an aviary refit on the weekend then It's due for it's 3 monthly empty and re mulching anyways so not too much of a hassle (I have mulch over mouse mesh over concrete. I ordered in avitrol from work that I'm picking up tomorrow (although he isn't an avian vet he did a quick search for me and recommended that).

What other birds do you have in the aviary with the cockatiels Maz?

Myzomela wrote:What other birds do you have in the aviary with the cockatiels Maz?

I think what Myzo is thinking about is Avitrol is not for every finch and precautions should be taken if you are worming parrot finches as it will kill them at the recommended dose for other finches.It needs to be halved for parrot finches. Craig

I'll be worming every aviary but I did read it was not recommended for gouldians, so was going to remove the gouldian while I was worming, there are princess, cockatiels, turqs, diamond doves, zebras and quails as well.

I don't see the point of not worming some of your birds then putting them back with the wormed ones. Using a wormer like moxydectin + you can safely worm all your birds & not have some birds posing a reinfection risk for the ones which have been treated.

Both Craig & Tiaris are correct.

There is no point only worming some birds in the aviary & I agree with the suggestion that Moxidectin Plus may be a better option.

If your cockatiel was full of worms, I can almost guarantee you that your princess parrots & turks at least will be full as well.

If you want to worm the gouldians separately then that's fine but you may as well worm them all with the one product and save yourself the hassle.

If you decide to use the Avitrol Plus anyway just make sure you keep a close eye on the birds and if they appear in any way distressed then replace the medicated water with fresh, clean water & worm them with a different wormer in a week's time.