To prevent the death of a bird due to infection with parasites, there is a drug called Metronidazole, which is an antibiotic. It has a detrimental effect on most of the simplest and anaerobic microorganisms.
Release form and composition of metronidazole
The main component in Metronidazole is the antimicrobial and antiprotozoal component, which bears the same name. In addition, the composition includes various ballast substances, glucose and chemical compounds, the meaning of which is to facilitate the absorption of the drug into the blood and to ensure maximum penetration directly into the bloodstream.
The birthplace of the drug is France and before it was called Flagil.
Among the dosage forms in which Metronidazole is produced, there are those that are not suitable for consumption by poultry - candles, ointments, toothpastes. The most acceptable for hens are tablets and capsules.
The weight of the tablet is most often 500 mg, and the amount of active substance is 0.125 or 0.250 g.
The number of pills in the package may vary depending on the country of manufacture. Most often, the drug is produced in packs of 10, 20, 50,100, 250, 500 and 1,000 tablets in jars or boxes.
Since Metronidazole is a drug, then before giving it to birds, you should consult a veterinarian who will diagnose and select how much medicine should be taken.
Pharmacological properties and system of action
Metronidazole affects most of the simplest parasites - Trichomonas, Histomonas, Amoeba and several others. After entering bacteria and protozoa, the drug molecules react with the transport proteins of these organisms. As a result, the agent enters into active communication with the DNA cells of microorganisms and blocks the possibility of protein synthesis by them, which prevents them from multiplying and leads to death.
After taking Metronidazole, it enters the digestive system, from where it spreads to the tissues of organs. It tends to accumulate in the liver.
The elimination half-life is about 8 hours. Most of Metronidazole leaves the body by renal filtration (60-80%), and the rest goes with feces. Withdrawal of metabolites that appear in the liver takes a little longer.
Why and in what amounts do they give chickens and chickens a remedy?
The essence of taking Metronidazole is the elimination of the simplest parasites and anaerobic microorganisms from the body.
Coccidiosis
This is a protozoonous infectious disease that is caused by the simplest anaerobic bacteria - eimeria. They develop and affect the organs of the gastrointestinal tract in the first days of life. It is completely impossible to cure this disease.
Symptoms of coccidiosis include:
- lack of appetite;
- increased thirst;
- diarrhea with blood clots;
- the location of the bird near a heat source;
- immobility;
- the desire of the chicken to isolate itself from other individuals;
- paralysis.
Coccidiosis is diagnosed using anamnesis, symptoms and autopsy results of the dead bird.
How metronidazole is treated with coccidiosis:
- The preparation is given to the birds in the amount of 0.1 g of the active ingredient per 1 kg of individual weight (if the dosage is 0.125 g, then one tablet per 5 kg of bird weight, with 0.5 g of the main substance, one tablet per 10 kg of body weight) .
- The medicine in the form of a tablet or in the form of a powder must be dissolved in water.
- A chicken dropper or syringe is used to administer the medicine to the chicken.
- Metronidazole is given 3 times a day for 1.5 weeks.
Sometimes the drug is given not with water, but with food. The tablets are ground and mixed with food at the rate of 150 mg per 1 kg of feed for 10 days.
At preventative measures for broiler chickens, Metronidazole is mixed with food in a dosage of 0.2-0.25 g of medicine per 1 kg of body weight for five days. Prevention can last up to 1.5 months.
Trichomoniasis
It is the most dangerous infection among chickens. It is especially dangerous for broilers, as they have weak, poorly developed immunity. But nevertheless, they do not encounter this disease as often as homestead birds, as broiler birds do not have contacts with trichomoniasis carriers - pigeons.
In addition, the sources of infection are, as usual, dirty water and chicken feed, and Trichomonas is the causative agent. To prevent infection, it is recommended to monitor the purity of water and food.
Symptoms in a sick bird are as follows:
- drowsiness;
- open beak all the time;
- diarrhea is observed;
- decreased mobility;
- a yellow coating appears in the throat and goiter;
- wings hardly rise;
- the chicken refuses to eat and is breathing heavily;
- conjunctivitis.
Trichomoniasis is diagnosed by examining smears taken from the mucous membrane of the beak. Symptoms of trichomoniasis resemble the symptoms of smallpox and vitamin A deficiency. While the breeder is waiting for the test results, his birds can die from the disease (mortality from trichomoniasis can grow up to 90%). Therefore, he will have to independently solder the chicks with vitamins and Metronidazole.
Tablets must be carefully crushed and added to food (25 mg per 1 kg of bird weight). The procedure is carried out once a day for 10 days.
With trichomoniasis preventive actions not carried out. To do this, it is enough to comply with sanitary standards and diet.
It is also worth knowing that sometimes the need for treatment appears for already grown birds. The dose of the drug in such cases is 1.5 g of the active substance per kilogram of feed. Giving is also necessary for 10 days.
Histomoniasis
It is an invasive disease caused by the simplest anaerobic bacterium - histomonad. The disease occurs due to non-observance of the rules for keeping birds and poor feeding. It is characterized by damage to the cecum and liver. Symptoms of the disease:
- loss of appetite;
- yellow frothy diarrhea;
- immobility;
- drooping wings;
- feather contamination;
- blue skin on the bird's head;
- chicks can tremble and squeak;
- death of the epithelium in open areas of the body.
The disease occurs from the 20th to the 90th day of the chicken’s life, lasts from 1 to 3 weeks and ends with either recovery or the death of the bird. Adult birds rarely suffer from histomoniasis.
Histomonosis is diagnosed, taking into account the epizootic position, symptoms and autopsy results.
Metronidazole Treatment:
- Dissolve in water 0.25 g per 1 kg of body weight and give the bird with a pipette or syringe for a week three times a day.
- Crushed tablets or powder is also added to food at a dosage of 4.5 grams per 1 kg of feed and divided into 3 doses. The duration of treatment is 10 days.
During preventative measures the powder is added to the feed at a rate of 20 mg per 1 kg of poultry weight for a period of three to five days. A break between courses - at least 10 days.
Possible contraindications and side effects
Intolerance to the main component of metronidazole is a rare, but the most important contraindication.
If you select the right dosage and give Metronidazole at the right time, then allergic reactions do not occur. But if suddenly the side effects still made themselves felt, then you should immediately stop giving the drug to the birds and consult a veterinarian.
Overdose
Metronidazole poisoning is associated with exceeding the permitted dosage of tablets in the case when the drug is taken orally. Candles and other types of this medicine are not able to inflict such a strong blow on the body, therefore it is with the pills that you should be very careful about the use of tablets in the treatment of people and animals.
Other features of the drug
Metronidazole is a drug with a very short half-life, so that even in birds killed immediately after use, a person will not be able to detect its traces. However, before slaughtering a bird, you should still wait until at least 3-5 days have passed since the last dose of the drug. Do not eat eggs that are laid during this period of the chicken, because the drug can penetrate into its tissues.
You should not get involved in prevention - 1 course per year will be more than enough, since Metronidazole significantly affects the work of bird kidneys. The period for prevention is winter-spring.
Terms and conditions of storage
It is advisable to store the tablets in their original packaging in a dry place out of the reach of sunlight, at a temperature of +5 to + 20 degrees, away from children and pets.
The preparation should not be allowed to come into contact with surfaces on which the cooking or eating process takes place, as well as with dishes from which they eat.
Shelf life under all conditions is 5 years.
The cost of the drug and where to get it?
The chemical structure of the drug does not differ at all depending on whether it is imported or domestic, but the cost will vary due to transportation costs.
Among domestic manufacturers of metronidazole can be noted:
- Biochemist;
- TakedaFarma AS;
- Medisorb;
- Dalchimpharm;
- Ozone;
- Trichobrol.
You can buy the drug at any pharmacy, and the cost of the drug starts at 19 rubles.
Metronidazole is an effective drug against many serious diseases, however, it is not worth it to do independent treatment of birds. It is important to remember that before starting treatment, you should still consult a veterinarian who will indicate when, in what quantities and whether it is worth giving the drug to your brood at all.
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