Originally Posted by
Pierre
Here are easy ways to get ivermectin paste, no vet needed: Go to a feed store [such as Agway's here in the states] and buy it in a tube for worming horses. Just ask for their wormers and make sure you buy ivermectin as there are other wormer products. If you can't find any feed stores [google for your area], you can order it from any horse supply catalog. You can order online and have it shipped overnight. I don't know about the shipping, but the medicine is generally ~$10. Dover's Saddlery is a great online company.
Once you get the tube, open it as per directions and squirt it out into a container with a lid. Make sure you stir it as a little liquid will be at the top of the tube that settled out and it needs to be mixed in [therefore don't just squeeze out a little off the top of the new tube--mix mix the whole contents first!]. This remainder of the tube can then be stored covered at room temp.
Dosing: For an adult rat, which are generally 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 lbs, and about the same as an adult squirrel, they only need an amount about the size of an uncooked grain of rice. Very little. Put it inside a treat and watch to make sure she eats it. One dose should be all that's necessary. We sometimes dose rats one more time one week later.
If a rehabber needs to tell us a different dosing for squirrels, please do.
Good luck!