how often should i worm my bird and what do you recommend?

[minkylory]

hello, i have a rainbow lorikeet and I have not wormed them yet. I am unsure on what is a good wormer and how often to give it. they dont have worms but I don't want them to get worms obviously. I'm also not sure if worming medications can come with negative side effects so I would definitely like to know if they do and what they are so I can look out for anything concerning. thank you

 

[Mizzely]

Is your bird kept outside at all? I only ask because indoor birds getting worms is pretty uncommon. I've kept birds for 10 years and never have wormed.

Any medication has a risk of side effects, so I would personally not do it unless you see evidence of it being needed. Giving wormer with no worms will not prevent future infestation, if that makes sense.

 

[minkylory]

no he isn't kept outside but he is kept by a window during the day and I have a few other pets (dogs). I suppose there's no real point in giving it if it doesn't do anything to prevent anything thank you very much for the input!! I wouldn't want to give him something that would do more harm than good.

 

[April]

I'm no expert but I agree that I've heard of it being given to birds that primarily live outside. It's uncommon for indoor pet birds to have worms is my understanding. I've had Conures for 15 years and never had an issue.

 

[minkylory]

alright I won't worm him, ty for letting me know

 

[Shezbug]

Definitely something you would only give if there is evidence of your bird having worms- never as a preventative measure as that just is not a thing. I remember when I was a kid everyone I knew had parents that did the regular preventative worming of kids and pets alike- when I grew up and had to take my dog, ferret and cat to the vet for their vaccinations I could move them via boat to another state I asked for the vet to worm them and was told it was a waste of time, money and not good for my pets to be wormed unless they had worms or were possibly exposed to poop from other pets who may have worms.

 

[minkylory]

Definitely something you would only give if there is evidence of your bird having worms- never as a preventative measure as that just is not a thing. I remember when I was a kid everyone I knew had parents that did the regular preventative worming of kids and pets alike- when I grew up and had to take my dog, ferret and cat to the vet for their vaccinations I could move them via boat to another state I asked for the vet to worm them and was told it was a waste of time, money and not good for my pets to be wormed unless they had worms or were possibly exposed to poop from other pets who may have worms.

ahh I see okay thank you )

 

[Kassiani]

Thank you for asking this question! It has come up more frequently in the past couple of weeks on the forums. I must admit, it never occurred to me to 'de-worm' my birds unless they showed signs of a parasitic infection of the sort. I guess I just never assumed it to be necessary like heartworm prevention in dogs or horses, etc.

 

[minkylory]

Thank you for asking this question! It has come up more frequently in the past couple of weeks on the forums. I must admit, it never occurred to me to 'de-worm' my birds unless they showed signs of a parasitic infection of the sort. I guess I just never assumed it to be necessary like heartworm prevention in dogs or horses, etc.

yeah I guess I kind of thought of him as a dog but he doesn't go outside so he can't really get any parasites

 

[camelotshadow]

If he is inside then its not necessary unless his parents were wild & might have given him worms during feeding him or he got them somehow before you got him.

Never even thought about worms in pet birds.

If you were really concerned a vet can check for parasites in poop I imagine. then they could prescribe the correct medication & dosage.
Don't think it would be wise to administer medication not knowing if they really have any parasites or if the medication was the right kind.

 

[minkylory]

If he is inside then its not necessary unless his parents were wild & might have given him worms during feeding him or he got them somehow before you got him.

Never even thought about worms in pet birds.

If you were really concerned a vet can check for parasites in poop I imagine. then they could prescribe the correct medication & dosage.
Don't think it would be wise to administer medication not knowing if they really have any parasites or if the medication was the right kind.

yeah he was wild but I got him at 2-3 weeks old, so I would assume that he wouldn't be doing too great if he has parasites when he was that young. if i think something is wrong I'll bring him down to the vet