Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I understand that using wormwood powder is difficult to dose. I know that Parazap contains wormwood. I have read and read and read online trying to find someone that gives a dose for using straight wormwood powder for reptiles. Surely it can be used, as I have found many people that use it on their livestock. I definitely trust natural herbal products over manufactured ones, I just need to know how much would be too much. I also understand that many are concerned about not knowing just how potent a particular batch of wormwood is. I have your ordinary wormwood powder purchased in bulk from my herb supplier.

More specifically, I'm wondering if I could put the needed dose of wormwood powder into the mouth of the f/t rat or mouse to be fed to my snakes.

Thanks, Jeremy

You've read and read and read and can't find a real dose. Want to know why? Because there is no dosage, it's a haphazard treatment regimen that anecdotally helps. If you would like to use it and/or other herbal products as is popular nowadays then keep it in moderation. Better yet, follow the advice that I give out to fans of both holistic and modern medicine. Don't give anything unless there is a problem, and then direct treatment towards that problem.

Ian

thanks ian! just because its natural isnt going to mean its safer, ian is right whith what he said, wormwood is not something to be messed with!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

Kingsnake forums seem to have become a place where someone with a question can be told how wrong they are for even pondering such things. There is a definite difference in how people on here answered questions 4 years ago compared to now. I read down in the current forums and instead of answered questions, I find replies telling the question asker how horrid they are for even asking the question. I would rather no answer as opposed to degrading "how dare you" responses. For instance Ian said, "... Better yet, follow the advice that I give out to fans of both holistic and modern medicine. Don't give anything unless there is a problem, and then direct treatment towards that problem." Ian, I believe that is why I am here asking questions. And Po says, "thanks ian! just because its natural isnt going to mean its safer, ian is right whith what he said, wormwood is not something to be messed with!" I guess we are to hand out high fives for "really tellin em good this time." I appreciate Kingsnake for what it is and all that it offers, but the forums are oozing with pretentious arrogance nowadays. I digress.

My vet recommended this website to me since she herself doesn't practice holistic therapies in her clinic, but still supports them: http://fiascofarm.com/herbs/wormer.htm

Here is a quote from that site
"Wormwood is a safe dewormer when used properly, but the continuous, long term use of small doses of wormwood, (every week- exactly how other wormers and worm compounds prescribe it) can be harmful to an animal's kidneys, liver and nervous system. Wormwood can be used safely on animals in larger doses, on an occasional basis (every 6-8 weeks)."

I don't know of any wormer that I want to give an animal any more frequently than every 6-8 weeks so I think this natural product will certainly suffice. One of two main ingredients in Parazap is wormwood, with the other being black walnut. Parazap boasts, "Because Para-zap is made of 100% natural ingredients, overdosing is not a concern." Wormwood has been used for thousands of years for eliminating parasites from animals and humans.

With that being said, I apologize for bringing up such a taboo topic.

Relax, while I'm somewhat annoyed with trends pushing health care in certain direction I am not opposed to responsible and knowledgeable forrays into a holistic direction. I tried to give a response that wasn't overly opinionated.

The advice that you quoted is still good advice. Unless your reptile has problems with parasites, don't use anything. Less is more, and that's, IMO, the best holistic approach there is.

When wormwood first came out commercially, there were a lot of questions about it. I looked at the websites pushing it and after the initial impression of the well presented product, the best website was still no more than a sales gimmick taking advantage of the aforementioned trend. If you want to use this product when your reptile has a problem, then go and try it. If it works, great. If not, go the more recognized route.

I don't know how more objective my responses can be. I've been on kingsnake for over 4 years I think, and attitudes have been around the entire time. I just try to help the best I can, but am by no means perfect.

Ian

The best part of forums is multiple opinions. I am not a text book, thus my posts should always be taken with a grain of salt. Other posters, either backing me up, or saying otherwise, will give you a better idea of what to believe. So I don't think PO was out of line.

Cheers,
Ian