Ivermectin Toxcisity in puppies
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Copyright: Genji Bailey Last Updated: 02.14.2009
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Product information can be found on: http://www.elephantcare.org/Drugs/ivermect.htm
Disclaimer: the information on this page is used entirely at the reader's discretion, and is made available on the express condition that no liability, expressed or implied, is
accepted by the authors or publisher for the accuracy, content, or use thereof.
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Although the website says Ivermec should not be given to puppies under 6 weeks of age, waiting until 12 weeks is MUCH safer!!!
Apparently there is no problem with pregnant females, but there can be in nursing females.
If given to puppies under 12 weeks of age, or to nursing mothers, the following symptoms may occur in as little as 2 hours:
1st signs of toxic overdose:
jaw clamping
crying and trying to "get away" from pain
climbing walls of crate or going under furniture but with no set direction and for no obvious purpose
disorientation and/or turning in circles
eye rolling or unfocused eyes
stiffness in limbs
falling from inability to use back legs properly - frog legs
lethargy - laying flat out on tummy
Progressing signs of toxic overdose:
tremors or shivering
crying in spurts, followed by sleeping fitfully
jaw clamping as if having a seizure
back legs useless
diarrhea and urinating on self
gagging or vomiting
jerking limbs
"rag doll" musculature alternating with stiffness of whole body
appearing to sleep with eyes open and/or rolled back
bloating of tummy also is possible
Full blown toxicity symptoms:
jaw clamps and unclamps seizure-like and is nearly impossible to pry open at times
coma-like appearance or periods of lucidity followed by disorientation
grunting in rhythm with breathing
gagging, coughing, or vomiting
diarrhea
difficulty swallowing, ragged breathing
no clear conscious reaction to noises or affection/physical touch
tremors and shivering, sometimes severe
stiff limbs, neck, head turned in an odd direction, and/or completely limp body - can alternate between the two
back legs splayed like a frog and tummy flat on floor and/or back legs stiffening and lifting hips off floor while head/neck is flat on floor
Improving signs:
Attempts to walk but back limbs turned outwards or held stiff and straight, head too heavy to lift for long, wobbly and shaky, shivers
eyes seeming to focus
lack of jaw clamping as often or as harshly as before, although it may still occur
some coherence
ability to curl up to get comfortable
back legs tucked under and tummy curled instead of back legs splayed like a frog and tummy flat on floor
reaction to noises and affection
ease of swallowing
According to the website, the medicine is expelled primarily through the purging of the stomach contents.
Urination is said not to eliminate enough, but puppies need to be hydrated to survive.
Possible home administered solutions prior to veterinary assistance:
liquid with sugar given orally (via syringe is probably the cleanest way)
Possible : flat soda, honey or another sugary gel (watered down somewhat so it slides down the throat and can be cleaned more easily)
Must dos:
keep puppies warm and on clean absorbent material - towels, etc.
keep hydrated and avoid hypoglycemia
rub tummies to expel waste and urine
rub backs to stimulate
Time frame from beginning to end:
the smaller the puppy, the longer the time frame
can vary from 1 day to 2 weeks - average around 1 week
can vary per puppy though, seemingly for no reason
Average loss per litter of five effected:
loss of 1 or 2 pups is not unusual, loss of whole litter is possible, loss of none is highly unlikely
reaction time in getting care, and dosage, are key components in survival rate