Ivermectin use on reptiles

[Colin Vestrand]

so... i know all about ivermectin and its use in livestock and whatnot, but my vet recommends a heavily diluted dose to be carefully used on reptiles (excluding chelonians) to get rid of mites... which a couple of our animals have due to an idiot that we had gotten a snake from earlier in the year.
anyway, does anyone use ivermectin on their reptiles? is this controversial? i know it's extremely neuro-toxic, makes me nervous. my wife had picked up one of our snakes that was in with an RI and the vet basically said that this was their 'preferred method' for irradicating those nasty things. my wife agreed to purchase some and wrote the directions down. i had just planned to use PAM - and of course, since it's an injectable medication, i can't return it. i'm willing to use it as a long as it's safe.

[BMorrison]

It's EXTREMELY controversial to use Ivomec.
However, Furio had mites about a month ago and I used PAM on his enclosure and then took him to the vet every week for the Ivomec injections (4 rounds). As he's just a little guy he diluted the Ivomec down to .50/100th a CC of Ivomec and I haven't seen a mite since. If it's diluted down enough I haven't seen any negative effects thus far. And I now have a happy healthy ball python.
I hope this helps.
Keep in mind this is my experience only and not everyone agrees.

[Colin Vestrand]

thanks, i appreciate the candid response.... sounds like vets like it, hobbiests don't necessarily from what i've read so far. thanks again though, i really freakin hate mites and dihonest seller right now...

[BMorrison]

Yeah, I know vets prefer it and honestly from a medical standpoint if they know what they're doing it can do nothing but good.
I didn't necessarily agree with it at first but the mites are gone and he's a happy boy now.
I see you're in K-Zoo and the vet I went to is in the Williamston/Dansville area all MSU graduates a few times over. Really good people out there.

[SatanicIntention]

Ivermectin stings when injected(it is VERY thick)and cannot be reversed if the animal has a reaction to it. PAM can be reversed just by washing the animal off and putting them in a ventilated area. Both are neurotoxic though.

I would honestly bypass the ivermectin and just use it for your dogs or something if you aren't able to get heartworm prevention for a bit. The PAM will take care of everything with 1-2 treatments and you KNOW that it will work. Mites/lice are becoming more resistant to ivermectin, and we're never sure how well it's going to work.

I've used Frontline spray to get rid of mites/lice on rats as well(not the concentrated drops, the Spray).

[Colin Vestrand]

oh yeah, nice... MSU has a great program, i wanted to transfer there myself and try to get into the vet school but between my wife's business starting up and having had a baby it's not going to happen anytime soon. anyway, the vet i go to is an MSU grad as well... thanks again.

[BMorrison]

No problem. Like I said though, that was my personal experience and it could be different for anyone. Good luck with it! PS I love the carpets!

[Colin Vestrand]

becky thanks, i was hoping you'd chime in as well.
well, i don't have dogs, but that's good to know.

[nor_cal1980]

Ivermectin stings when injected(it is VERY thick)and cannot be reversed if the animal has a reaction to it. PAM can be reversed just by washing the animal off and putting them in a ventilated area. Both are neurotoxic though.

I would honestly bypass the ivermectin and just use it for your dogs or something if you aren't able to get heartworm prevention for a bit. The PAM will take care of everything with 1-2 treatments and you KNOW that it will work. Mites/lice are becoming more resistant to ivermectin, and we're never sure how well it's going to work.

I've used Frontline spray to get rid of mites/lice on rats as well(not the concentrated drops, the Spray).

Have you ever had a mite problem? Speaking from my own experience PAM doesn't work worth a crap. I used it time and time again during the couple mite outbreaks i've had. I've sprayed it on paper towel in enclosures then put the infested snake in only to see mites walking around unscathed the next day and following days after.....just my experience ...