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Accurate dose for Ivomec?

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Laura-CCC4

Laura-CCC4

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Since the Ivomec given orally to treat mites/internal parasites is typically the cattle injection suspension, the rubber seal which covers the bottle makes it hard to give "2 drops" as is always recommended.

Is there an easier way to dose this - any accurate measurements?
 
Vedra gave me a small dropper bottle and a large syringe to draw it out of the main bottle (through the seal), this works really well. She did warn against using a bottle with a dropper though, I can't remember why!

Sophie
x
 
Fab, thank you Sophie. I have plenty of dropper bottles here! What size syringe do you use to draw it out the main bottle?
 
Is it a dose you've given, Sue? Just wondering!
 
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I hope you have not given 0.2ml by mouth. That is the injection dose. The oral dose is 2 drops.
ccc4 how have you given Ivomec before?
It does not matter what size the needle is, the rubber bung is self sealing.
The interesting question is how big is a drop? There is no standard measurement.
Don't get worried, a drop from a dropper bottle, or even from the end of a syringe is adequate.
However, be very careful if you give drops from a syringe, it is all too easy to press the plunger too far and give more than a drop.
 
Correction the standard metric drop size is 0.05ml, so 2 drops is 0.1ml (obviously!)
I prefer to give Ivomec from a dropper bottle.
 
I do remember now, something about not keeping it in glass bottles, the one she gave me was plastic with the dropper built in, if you know what I mean?

She gave me a 10 ml syringe I think to draw it out, but if you use a smaller one you obviously just do it more times.

The inaccuracy of the two drops has worried me slightly, some drops do seem much bigger than others!

Sophie
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I agree. I meant to say, originally, that there is no standard "opening" on dropper bottlles, so whilst there is a standard drop size your particular bottle may dispense more or less than the 0.05ml.
I think I use the same type of dropper bottle as you do, I have never measured the drop size, it "looks about right"!
 
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I've found the replies very useful, thank you!

The last time I do tend to use a 1ml syringe and draw up a tiny amount (less than 0.1ml) and give two drops from that. I find it tricky making sure I only give 2 drops though, it is all too easy to let the plunger go further.

My ten are up for their next dose in early September, will try from a dropper this time - thanks!
 
Here is my bottle from Vedra:

DSCN3976.jpg


Hope that helps!

Sophie
x
 
Good thing you posted that Sophie as I have the glass dropper bottles! Lord knows why I thought a glass one would be ok, good thing I didn't need to apply this info for another few weeks!

Just found the proper bottles on Vet UK, very cheap:

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1795

Shall stock up on a few of them, they will come in very handy!
 
Thanks for the link. I'm stumped as to why Vedra said the glass dropper bottles weren't ok, all I can remember is her warning me against them!

Sophie
x
 
Clear glass bottles are not recommended because sunlight can have an adverse effect on the contents.
Bottles made from coloured glass should be suitable.
 
With any luck someone will soon be along to give us chapter and verse on Ivomec.
I can't be bothered to type out the information, try Google!
 
For the benefit of those who have little or no experience of guinea pigs it may be worth pointing out that there are other ways to treat guinea pigs for parasites. It is important for the benefit of the guinea pigs that, if in any doubt, a suitably qualified/experienced person should to be consulted.

As has been shown in the posts here the "two drop" method is both vague and inaccurate and could possibly lead to over/under dosing. If anyone is at all unsure here are.....

A few points to consider, not in any particular order.

Ivomec does come with different Ivermectin concentrations - what strength is in use?

Was it obtained from a reliable source - is what's inside the bottle what it says on the outside?

How heavy is the guinea pig?

What age is the guinea pig?

Has the guinea pig been bathed/going to be bathed?

Is the guinea pig currently on any other medication?

Is the treatment necessary?

What are your own views/research on routine worming?

Have you drawn out the correct dose? Are you absolutely sure of your measurements?

Would you prefer a spot on, oral drops or via injection?

When was your guinea pig last treated?

What dropper do you have available and what measurement is each drop?





Sorry CCC4 if this is slightly off topic :)

Sophie - perhaps you are thinking more of the glass dropper that should be avoided rather than the bottle?
 
The dose of two drops by mouth or 0.2ml by injection has been used on many thousands of guinea pigs over the years, both safely and effectively.

Most of the other drugs commonly used to treat guinea pigs are used at a "standard" dose rate with no regard to age, weight or gender of the animal, rather like many drugs used on humans.
There does exist quite a wide "therapeutic window", that is there is a wide dose range between the minimum effective and the maximum safe dose.
Ivomec (Ivermectin) is not licensed for use on guinea pigs and it is almost certain that the drug manufacturers would not spend vast amounts of money to have Ivomec licensed.
I am sure most of us already follow the " Is the pig on any other drugs or medication? protocol.
I have yet to come across counterfeit Ivomec being sold on street corners!!
 
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