Endoparasites in Domestic Pigeons

Bird · Columba livia domestica · typical adult weight 0.30–0.50 kg

5 cited drugs treat Endoparasites in domestic pigeons: Febantel, Ivermectin, Levamisole, Mebendazole, Piperazine.

Gastrointestinal helminth and protozoal infections. Macrocyclic lactones, benzimidazoles, and pyrantel cover the bulk of nematode treatment; protozoal indications require dedicated drugs (metronidazole, sulfadimethoxine).

The overview above describes Endoparasites across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to domestic pigeons — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Febantel(Rintal)

Antiparasitic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	30 mg/kg	once	Ascarids (repeat doses required for Capillaria obsignata)	Moderate	38. Baert L, Van Poucke S, Vermeersch H, et al. Pharmacokinetics and anthelmintic efficacy of febantel in the racing pigeon (Columba livia). J Vet Pharmacol Therap. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.433 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.1993.tb00167.x — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

Full Febantel dosing in Domestic Pigeons →Calculate for this domestic pigeon →

Ivermectin(Ivomec, Heartgard)

Antiparasitic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO, SC, IM	0.2 mg/kg	once; can repeat in 10-14 days	Nematodes, acanthocephalans, ectoparasites (Knemidokoptes, Dermanyssus)	Moderate	378. Harlin RW. Pigeon therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:19-34. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.435 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

Full Ivermectin dosing in Domestic Pigeons →Calculate for this domestic pigeon →

Levamisole(Levasole, Tramisol)

Antiparasitic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	20 mg/kg	once	Nematodes (anthelmintic)	Weak	43. Bailey TA, Apo MM. Pharmaceutics commonly used in avian medicine. In: Samour J, eds. Avian Medicine, 3rd ed., Mosby Elsevier, Edinburgh, Scotland; 2016:637-678. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.436 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Avian Medicine (Samour) — ISBN 9780723438328, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780723438328

Full Levamisole dosing in Domestic Pigeons →Calculate for this domestic pigeon →

Mebendazole

Antiparasitic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	5–6 mg/kg	q24h x 3-5 days, repeat in 21d	Nematodes	Moderate	391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.436 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712

Full Mebendazole dosing in Domestic Pigeons →Calculate for this domestic pigeon →

Piperazine(Pipa-Tabs, Sergeants Worm Away)

Antiparasitic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	35 mg/kg	q24h x 2 days	Ascarids	Moderate	391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.439 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712 - Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.4 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table - not the page - is the citable location.

Full Piperazine dosing in Domestic Pigeons →Calculate for this domestic pigeon →

All drugs cited for Endoparasites →All drugs for Domestic Pigeons →

Other conditions in Domestic Pigeons

Bacterial Infections Coccidiosis Sedation

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.