|
Microgram = mcg
Milligram = mg
Milliliter = ml
The dose range of ivermectin for dogs is 2.72
micrograms (mcg) per pound of body weight.
A 100 lb dog needs a 272 mcg dose of ivermectin.
The dilution I made has 1,000 mcg in each ml.
So
Tyler needs about 1/3 ml.
He weighs 120 pounds times 2.72 mcg/lb = 326 mcg.
That is equivalent to the ivermectin dose in
Heartgard.
Each ml
of dilution contains 1,000 mcg of ivermectin
I give Tyler 1/3 ml in
his food once a month.
|
|
|
Ivomec is sold at
the feed store
If you live in the city you're out of luck.
Either move to the country before the collapse of
urban civilization or search to buy this product
online.
|
|
I drew out 1 ml of
the Ivomec
|
|
I squirt that 1
ml into a small bottle.
Then add 9 ml propylene glycol
to make a dilution - this creates more volume so I
can measure out a dose easily.
Propylene glycol
is just a handy liquid that will mix with the
Ivomec and is sterile so it won't grow mold after
you set the dilution aside for next month's use.
I use a
brown bottle to keep out light, and store in
the refrigerator with the cat & dog meds.
|
|
|
Using my 3 ml syringe
without a needle
I transfer 9 ml of propylene glycol into the small
bottle where I first squirted the 1 ml Ivomec.
Propylene Glycol is a food additive
you can purchase
at a pharmacy, feed store, or search online. It is
fairly harmless stuff.
|
9 ml propylene glycol + 1 ml Ivomec = a 10 ml
dilution that has, conveniently, 10 mg ivermectin in 10 ml
of liquid.
Hey! That is 1,000 mcg in each ml. Excellent.
I draw out the 1/3 ml Tyler needs for his
monthly dose.
20 drops = 1 ml
Since 1 ml is about 20 drops I could use an
eye dropper to measure Tyler's dose. 7 drops
would be close enough.
|
|
|
My 10 ml dilution = 30 monthly doses for Tyler
The 50 ml Ivomec bottle will make enough monthly
doses to last Tyler for 125 years.
Cost
$35 Ivomec/50
ml
$0 propylene glycol
$0 syringes
$0 15 ml brown bottle
______________________
$35 total= 1,500 monthly doses for my 120
pound German Shepherd.
This cost $0.023 per monthly dose.
About 2
pennies/dose
.
|
|
|
See the 3 ml syringe?
Notice the 1/10 ml divisions?
My dog needs 1/3 ml - I can measure that out OK!
The dose is
not very critical
since
ivermectin is not very poisonous to a dog.
Nevertheless I want to only apply what is
recommended and not give my dog more than is
required.
Store in a cool, dark
place
I store the dilution in a brown bottle to prevent
light from affecting it. It is kept in the
refrigerator.
Do it on the
first of every month
Tyler receives his flea & heartworm medications on
the first of the month when I pay the rent; that is
how I remember to medicate him.
|