Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering is this the same as ivermectin we use to worm horses?
I have a cornsnake I am taking to the vet,because I suspect he might have internal parasites. He cannot eat anything larger than a pinkie without keeping a soft lump for 7-8 days. He does not seem to have very noticable bowel movements. Also he is alot thinner than my other corn snakes of approx. the same age.
If the vet uses ivermectin is this proper? I have been reading about the turtle incident.
Thanks
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All creatures great and small we are to care for them all.
4 Corns,6 Kings,3 Milks,1 German Shephard,1 Cairn & 1 Giant Schnauzer

It is the same stuff, but it is very dangerous to reptiles if improperly dosed and some reptiles have no tolerance for it. It has a very narrow margin of safety in reptiles.

I would never treat with Ivermectin or any other drug based on the premise that an animal "may" have worms or whatever. Do a fecal exam and see what it has before you treat. It may be something that you need an entirely different drug for, or it may not have anything that needs treatment at all. Maybe it's just a skinny snake. The rate of digestion is going to be largely dependent on temperature, also. Normally, if you have a serious worm problem, you will have runny, mucousy stools.

Thank you . You are always very helpful to everyone.
I have him in a tank with an undertank heater and an overhead light. He doesn't spend much time there even when the light is off. I have had this condition with him for a few months now.
I thought he might be a skinny snake, but I am getting more concerned...He is a very wonderful little snake and I sure do not want anything to happen to him.
My other snakes are round like sausages and he is not. He does not have mucous srool though.
Thanks again
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All creatures great and small we are to care for them all.
4 Corns,6 Kings,3 Milks,1 German Shephard,1 Cairn & 1 Giant Schnauzer

I'd recommend having a stool sample analyzed anyway...if nothing else it will put your mind at ease.

If your vet recommends Ivermectin, I would turn and run out the door. I took my female black milk in a few weeks ago. She wasn't eating for the last few weeks. He did a fecal an said he thought it had Strongyloids (sp?), and recommended a shot of Ivermectin. I said ok, not knowing any better. When I got to work, I did a search on this forum and read about it's toxicity. I was very concerned to say the least. My snake seemed ok for a few days, then out of the blue it bit me (very odd for a black milk). The next day (about 6 days after the shot) it was dead. Lesson learned.