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Let me say at the outset that I thoroughly enjoyed reading (and being educated in the process!) your book “Pigeons & Their Economical Health Care”, and also “Vet’s Tips for Fanciers”. I am from Sri Lanka. I would very much like to have your advice on the following:
I routinely use Moxidectin as a wormicide. However for a change I would like to use Albendazole which is available as a wettable powder for poultry medication. This product readily goes into suspension although not soluble. Is this o.k to use and does Albendazole have as wide a spectrum of activity as Moxidectin? Is it safe for use during the breeding and moulting season?
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Albendazole has a slightly different spectrum of action to moxidectin. Both can be given to pigeons, but not in all seasons. Note that both agents are also used in human medicine against various worm infections.
Albendazole has a broad spectrum of anthelmintic activity and is effective against hairworms, roundworms and tapeworms. However, it is not effective against external parasites (mites, lice) and air sacs parasites. It has the disadvantage of being insoluble in water. It is usually used as a powder to be mixed with feed, but can also be used as a tablet for individual treatments. There is a factory formulation which is a special liquid suspension which can also be applied individually (by oral syringe).
Albendazole should not be given to birds less than two months old. It should also not be given during the breeding season as it may cause embryo developmental disorders. Do not give during the moulting period as it may also adversely affect feather development.
Moxidectin is a highly effective drug that provides long-lasting protection against reinfection. It is effective against hairworms and roundworms, but has no effect on tapeworms. It is effective against many external parasites, such as blood-sucking mites. It also works well against air sacs mites. Low toxicity, safe to use. It can be given during breeding and molting and can also be used during the racing season.
Based on the above, the two active ingredients can complement each other, so it is worth using both throughout the year. They should not be used at the same time, with a break of at least 2-3 weeks between the two treatments.
Generally speaking, it is worth using at least two, but preferably more, types of anthelmintics, as this will make the treatment more effective and resistance to the agents less likely to develop. After a while, worms are able to develop a resistance to anthelmintics in the same way as bacteria to antibiotics. If you use only one type of anthelmintic for a long time, it will eventually become ineffective.
