Best wormer for Gizzardworm??

[Tiaris]

A bloke told me that the most effective of the commonly used soluble wormers for control of gizzardworm are the levamasole-based ones (Avitrol,Nilverm), is this correct? Myzo or Danny perhaps (or anyone else in the know)??

[Myzomela]

Hi Tiaris,

Levamisole certainly is effective against gizzardworm in most situations, but there is no one best wormer in all cases. It depends to some extent on what drugs the worms have been exposed to previously. ie if you have always treated with one particular wormer then the worms may have developed some resistance to it.

I have always been a little concerned using levamisole in drinking water because it is quite unpalatable (do they drink enough for it to be effective) and its narrow safety margin (in hot weather).

Moxidectin has also proved quite effective in most situations, with minimal side effects.

At the end of the day a group faecal check will tell whether what you are using is working or not.

Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions.

Cheers

Myzo

[finches247]

i use Q Drench NZ Brand

[Tiaris]

For the last few years at least I have always included Avitrol+ in my annual rotation of wormers, thinking that it was the best way to prevent gizzardworm. Palatability has been an ongoing issue when using this due its bitterness & relatively strong solution compared to other wormers.

[Diane]

What about adding a sweetener (honey/nectar) to the mix, just to take the bitterness away?

[Danny]

Hi Tiaris,

Levamisole certainly is effective against gizzardworm in most situations, but there is no one best wormer in all cases. It depends to some extent on what drugs the worms have been exposed to previously. ie if you have always treated with one particular wormer then the worms may have developed some resistance to it.

I have always been a little concerned using levamisole in drinking water because it is quite unpalatable (do they drink enough for it to be effective) and its narrow safety margin (in hot weather).

Moxidectin has also proved quite effective in most situations, with minimal side effects.

At the end of the day a group faecal check will tell whether what you are using is working or not.

Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions.

Cheers

Myzo

Ditto that, but also remember than worming the birds agianst gizzard or tape worms without adequate insect control at the same time is only fixing part of the problem. Its like treating the dog for fleas but not the cats. The reservoir for reinfection is the insects free living in the aviary i.e. the intermediate hosts). These should be sprayed at the same time as the worming program so that reinfection is limited. I have found Solfac very safe and very effective.

[Tiaris]

What about live termites fed as another possible intermediate host for worms?

[Myzomela]

You're right Danny, controlling the intermediate host is essential- well spotted mate!!

Regarding palatability. I bought some saints once for a friend. They were loaded with gizzardworm on faecal examination ( he arranged the purchase- I was just the courier ;) ) I tried placing a certain levamisole product in the drinking water for 24 hrs- birds didn't touch it. Next day I added glucose to the treated water- they still didn't drink any. By the end of the third day they were looking really unwell and I relented and gave them fresh water. They drank like they hadn't seen water for days.... So you can certainly try sweeteners- you may have better luck by experimenting a bit.

Regarding termites as intermediate hosts: when we first started diagnosing gizzardworm the affected aviary had a mealworm culture on the floor.
Try as we might we never found any evidence that mealworms acted as intermediate hosts. But we still got the breeder to remove the mealworms and with treatments managed to solve his problem.

I don't know that anyone has found any evidence that termites carry this parasite. It is possible but the termites would have to feed on wood that has been contaminated by an infected bird's droppings. The likelihood of this occurring is remote, in my opinion, since termites are harvested from the wild.
Yet another area needing research!

[Danny]

What about live termites fed as another possible intermediate host for worms?

No, unless the insect has been feeding on the faeces of an infected bird, it poses no risk - roaches, ants, mealworms on aviary floors YES, moths, maggots, termites NO

[Tiaris]

Thanks guys, I've always felt that since I feed livefood regularly that I may be inadvertantly increasing their risk of worm infestation. I do control insects in the aviary with regular sprays of Coopex as it was the only safe insecticide I knew of for this purpose. I'll try Solfac as well, thanks.