Ivermectin for Ectoparasites - Page 1

Before I get started, I KNOW for a fact that high doses of Ivermectin are potentially fatal in dogs.  This comes from experience.  The reason I am coming to the readership of this site is to ask for help; not get ridiculed.  A bit defensive?  I also speak from experience on this board.  So those that can help, please do.

Can anyone tell me the dosage of 1.87% Ivermectin Paste for treatment of ectopparasites e.g mange.sucking lice, etc?

I have read threads from the past and can't see that this was addressed.

Thank you in advance.

                                               Don D.

It is much safer and  easier to dose a dog with liquid ivomectrin over paste. I am sure that someone here will post the dosage per lb or if not search previous posts.

Don,

Use 1% injectable Ivermectin. My vet says a full size German Shepherd needs no more than 1/2cc per month. He says that the paste is not evenly distributed in the tube as it's meant to be given in its entirety.

I can't anwer your question as for use for controlling lice though. Sorry.

It is also very important when mixing meds in formulations for other animals than dogs to understand that not only may the actual medicine not be mixed as it might in a dog medicine, but that the way in which a medication is delivered may have a huge impact on HOW the medication is absorbed and distributed in the body. This is one reason that one should be extremely careful about simply accepting internet advice. If one is going to use medications in formulations for other animals, then at least have the sense to ask your own vet for proper dosage information.

Well HODIE,

That's from my vet's mouth! I am looking at the paper he wrote this information on too. Everyone knows the internet is full of bullshit. So Don can take this information to his vet if he chooses. That's if his vet doesn't want to sell him the over priced heart guard.

Don -

I would only trust a vet to administer the correct amount.  You could put your dog in harms way by trusting a lay person to give you a dosage.  Do the smart thing have it diagnosised and treated by a vet - sometimes when we try and save money - it ends up costing more.  Just my two cents.  People have killed thier on dog by ignorance.

Most vets will want to sell you Heartgard so they can make money as ivomec is for cattle . I have used paste but the liquid is better I use it on horses and dogs it is not cleared for either. I do not inject it I give orally in a syringe without a needle. I would say that the dose posted is correct . I use it monthly with no adverse affects but use it at your own risk. I have rubbed it on Demodect Mange spot and had it disappear in 2 weeks.

The dosage for the 1% injectable Ivomec is 1/10 cc per ten pounds, so .8 cc for a 80 lb dog. I usually give my adult dogs 3/4 to 1 cc and have never had any reactions, no heartworms, have cleared up mange with this dose, etc. If you feel at all uncomfortable, ask your vet, but of course, he likely may not want to discus this with you, but rather try to sell you other products.

HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) Chewables should be administered

orally at monthly intervals at the recommended minimum dose level of 6 mcg of

ivermectin per kilogram (2.72 mcg/lb) and 5 mg of pyrantel (as pamoate salt) per kg

(2.27 mg/lb) of body weight.

10mg/ml ivomectin

0.001 mg =1 mcg

10mg = 10000 mcg

So in 1 ml of 1% ivomec there are 10000 mcg and one only needs 6 mcg/kg of the dog's weight to equal the dose of ivomectin in the doseage of heartgard.  The doseage of ivomec one needs to treat equivalent to the dose in heartgard is very minute... an 80 pound dog needs about 218 mcg of ivomectin or 0.02ml of 1% ivomec for routine monthly heartworm prevention.   Keep in mind this amount is less than a drop. 

I have some friends who have their vet do a dilution with distilled water so they can better measure the exact dose for their dogs.  You certainly should have your vet double check my math, but I believe it is correct.

For treatment of ectoparasites I have heard of breeders applying ivomec topically much the same way one would apply frontline.  You are on your own for this dosing, but keep in mind this is a powerful drug that should be used with the advice of a qualified veterinarian...which I am not. 

I do agree one should choose the 1% solution vs the higher concentration of the pastes.  Even at the 1% the dosing is quite high compared with what the dog actually needs.

Thank you for all your replies.  I agree that dispersal of the active ingredient Ivermectin may be suspect in the paste.  I have seen what happens to a 70lb. dog that got into a 1000lb horse dose of the stuff at 1.87%. He survived, but it was not a pretty sight; ataxia, blidness, and a $1800 bill at the vet.  Thankfully there was no residual problems.

  I was looking for information as to alternative treatment regimens and would wiegh out the pros and cons for safety and efficacy.

The dose for heartworm prophylaxis is not the same as for treating ectoparasites.  I am well versed as to that dosing schedule.

Thanks again for all your help, I do appreciate the kind responses.

                                      Don D.