Ivermectin available at Pets@Home

Emma · 10-12-2005, 08:58 AM

I visited a different Pets@Home today from normal, and noticed some impressive changes going on (alhtough they're still far from perfect, especially in the hamster area!)

They now sell ivermectin spot-on for small pets. The box is labelled "Anti-Parasite Spot On for Hamsters & Gerbils", and contains 2 tubes of spot-on each containing 25ug of ivermectin. It's by a company called Beaphar, although isn't mentioned on their website. There's also a separate one for Rabbits, Guinea-pigs, Rats & Ferrets with a higher dose.

The dose is 0.2-.04mg/kg (200-400ug). So for say a 100g hamster, one tube works out a dose of 0.25mg/kg, within the dose range. Unusual for a pet shop remedy to do this!

The box doesn't say that two treatments are recommended 7-10 days apart, but that is what I would do. It also says that it will continue to be effective for "up to 4 weeks" which I guess isn't a lie but might be a bit misleading.

Thought I would post it as it should be useful for some people! I think the pack was £2.99 for the two tubes (in my opinion a treatment course for one animal).

Michele4Mouse · 10-12-2005, 03:10 PM

Do they have a dose size for mice too?

**babyboos** · 10-13-2005, 09:47 AM

No you would need to only use a drop from the tube and then again the following week. Check the storage conditions for opened tubes on the side of the box before you purchase although even if you need to throw away the rest of the tube it is still a lot cheaper than the vet charges for a course of Ivermectin.

The dosage is based on weight of the animal being treated. How heavy is the average mouse in grammes?

Michele4Mouse · 10-13-2005, 02:39 PM

My fatest mice were 80 & 90 grams.

I know that is big for a mouse. I had 2 sisters that were both fat mice. An average size mouse is about 30 grams. I don't need any Ivermectin now, but it's always good to know where I can get it if I need to.

Pendragon · 10-13-2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emma

I visited a different Pets@Home today....

They now sell ivermectin spot-on for small pets. The box is labelled "Anti-Parasite Spot On for Hamsters & Gerbils", and contains 2 tubes of spot-on each containing 25ug of ivermectin. It's by a company called Beaphar, although isn't mentioned on their website.

Thanks enormously for posting this, Emma!

Ivermectin has been very difficult to acquire in the past, and many vets still insist on injecting it, which poses a very serious risk of overdosage, not to mention a hefty price tag! I heard about one vet who charged £40 for a course of three injections for one rat, and a few years ago a friend's rat was overdosed by accident by a vet (!), and slowly lost the use of its nervous system, dying 2 weeks later.

When used as a spot-on, it is extremely effective and far safer. I use the cattle drop on for my rats (rats are extremely prone to mites). I have found that if I use a small insulin syringe - with the needle carefully de-tipped with pliers - this delivers the tiniest drop possible which I put on the back of the rat's ear. One drop for baby rats over 6 weeks before they leave home; 2 drops for an adult.

A lot of people don't realise it is not a prescription-only drug in the UK, but the person supplying it must be trained in its use. Therefore, it is quite legal to acquire it from someone who is not a vet, but it would be illegal for me to pass any of my own supply to someone else or treat anyone else's rats. Thankfully, I can now recommend the Beaphar drops to the many people every year who ask me advice about their rats' mites!

Quote:

The box doesn't say that two treatments are recommended 7-10 days apart, but that is what I would do. It also says that it will continue to be effective for "up to 4 weeks" which I guess isn't a lie but might be a bit misleading.

When using the cattle drop-on for my rats, I have always found one application to be enough. Only in stubborn cases of mites have I needed a second go, and only once in over 5 years have I needed a third application. It seems that it does stay in the system for some time after use, and if I am showing rats I make sure they are given a drop beforehand to prevent them picking up any mites at the show.

I always recommend just one application, and if you don't see any signs of improvement, do a second application 10 days later. Be aware that Ivermectin is a potent drug, therefore "less is more" and use the minimum dose possible every time.

Just out of interest, it's also effective for pinworms, ear mites and a few other parasites although I am not 100% certain it works for fleas.

**babyboos** · 10-14-2005, 09:13 AM

Hi Sue, do you know if the formula is stronger in the cattle or the same concentration?

Pendragon · 10-14-2005, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyboos

Hi Sue, do you know if the formula is stronger in the cattle or the same concentration?

I believe the one I use is 1%... but without knowing the concentration of the Beaphar one, it's impossible to say. Maybe someone who is better at maths than me could work it out.

Even so, I would still follow the manufacturer's recommendations and use the one dose only as advised on the packaging. It's not a chemical to be used lightly unless you really know what you're doing; the risk of overdose is low - although I know of someone who accidentally overdosed a mouse with the cattle drop-on - so would you take the chance?