The Puffer Forum

I need to worm a new GSP I acquired yesterday. Currently he is in a 10g (hospital tank); freshly set up with filter media from 46g which he will be going into eventually. So obviously the peram's are perfect, his salinity is currently at .012, (same as at the LFS) he's about 3 inches...I'm going to slowly acclimate him to my tanks .014 but not for awhile as I'm trying to clean him up. He had a fresh prawn last night and then had some blood worms this morning...ergo eating just fine. This guy is hella skinny though so I want to worm him. I've read the library IP article and recognized one of the wormers in something that I have at home for my parrot. It’s called Worm Out Gel; it has Praziquantel (Droncit) and Oxfendazole...

My specific question is about Oxfendazole...this is what I've read about it specifically...

"Oxfendazole, the sulfoxide form of fenbendazole, is a broad spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic used against roundworms, strongyles and pinworms for sheep..."

So I get that's its closely related to fenbendazole which is also mentioned in the IP article. But the article doesn't mention using them in combination with each other. Does anyone have experience with the combo of these two?

So presuming it is safe I then get to determine the dosage; I have to convert ml to mg...argh . The concentration is Praziquantel is 20g/L and Oxfendazole is also 20g/L. Help me please...I'm not known for my math skills.

Here is the product info just in case you don't feel like googling...

Worm Out Gel

Water soluble wormer for Parrots, Budgies, Finches, Canaries, Pigeons and other ornamental birds.

For the treatment of thread worm (capilliaria spp.), Tapeworm (Raillientina spp. Choanotaenia spp.), Caecal worm (Heterakis Gallinarum), Hook worm (Acuaria spp.)

MAY BE CROP NEEDLED, APPLIED OVER SOFT FOOD OR GIVEN IN DRINKING WATER This product is not intended or approved for stock whose meat or eggs are intended for human consumption. Consult your veterinarian for authorization and supervision in administering this, or any antimicrobial medication. Worms have been a problem in birds as long as we have kept them. Wormout Gel, the result of 2½ years of research by Dr. Tony Gestier, solves the problem. The unique gel formulation, containing Praziquantel and Oxfendazole, is water dispersible or can be given directly by crop needle. Available in a convenient pump pack , Wormout Gel is indispensable to serious bird breeders. Dose rate -
To administer in the water - add 2 ml to 160 ml of water. Supply medicated water for 2 days. Remove other sources of water during treatment. Aviaries should be treated at least four times a year.
To administer in soft foods - add 0.05 ml per 100g body weight. Make sure all soft food is eaten within 24 hours
To administer by Crop Needle -
Fill a 1 ml syringe with Wormout Gel and deliver. Administer 0.05mL per 100g body weight, once. Repeat treatment every three months for all birds housed outdoors. Available in 50g and 100g Gel Pump Packs

The fact that this product is intended for birds concerns me. I would be reluctant to use it myself, only because different animals can handle different meds, and in different formats. You are best ordering the Jungle Parasite Clear off eBay, it's not very expensive.
But someone else may have something different to say about the medication you've mentioned, and maybe it's alright to use afterall, so don't just take my word for it, wait until you get more feedback from others.

I had never heard of this so I have looked it up on the net. I am comparing it to Flubendazole and it seems to go about its business of killing parasites in a slightly different way to Flubendazole which we know is preent in wormers that have been tried and tested.

So it may be safe to use but it doesnt seem to be as broad a spectrum treatment as what flubendazole is. I am not a biochemist though so what do I know.

Oxfendazole
Flubendazole

Thank you Hilly!

Comparing the two I would say it's safe but, like Hilly said, it's very narrow spectrum in use, targeted towards hook worm vs the multiple varieties that can be found on the puffers GI tract.

But don't you think the Praziquantel (Droncit) would take care of all the others? I always thought droncit was a kill anything kind of dewormer...

I think the praziquantel would most likely get rid of anything they have by dosing their food with it.

Sweet we'll be worm free by this evening!!!

So I'm assuming that I only have to do this once right? Not like mammals where you dose and then 3 weeks later dose again??

Dose now and then in another weeks time after a water change.That should take care of them all.

I can handle that!

Thanks again~
Katie