Methylene blue is an effective drug for the treatment and prevention of diseases in chickens. The product has an antiseptic effect and destroys bacterial microorganisms. It is used to disinfect pests.
To safely use methylene blue, you should read its annotation, description, and precautions.
Composition, release form, packaging
Methylene blue was first developed by Scottish scientist D. Lister in the 21st century.The drug is an antiseptic and is widely used in veterinary medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases of various etiologies. It attracts farmers with its budget cost, ease of use, and relative safety.
The product shows good results in the treatment of diseases in birds caused by infectious agents.
Mechanism of action
Blue helps destroy pathogenic organisms and disinfects surfaces. When administered internally, it has a negative effect on pathogenic flora in the gastrointestinal tract and is widely used for poisoning. Another remedy relieves mild pain. It can be compared with brilliant green, but their mechanism of action is different. Blue iodine stimulates the thyroid gland, which performs the function of protection against harmful microorganisms. When chickens lack this substance, organ dysfunction occurs, which can lead to a decrease in immunity.
The product is poorly soluble in water and alcohol, after penetration into the bacterial body it causes cell dysfunction and the body dies. The medicine is quickly eliminated from the tissues of chickens, which practically eliminates the development of side effects.
How to use, optimal doses
Methylene blue is used externally and internally. Depending on the method of application, a specific dosage is established.
- Outdoor use. For external use, apply blue to pre-cleaned affected areas of the body of an animal or bird. During application, it is important to cover a small area of adjacent healthy tissue. Use a 1-3% alcohol solution of bluing and cotton pads. For urethral infections, take a 0.02% aqueous mixture to rinse the cavities.Methylene blue powder is diluted with water at a ratio of 1:5000. The throat is sanitized using the same method.
- Using blue iodine internally. When birds have coccidiosis, methylene blue is administered orally, diluted in water at a ratio of 1:1. The duration of therapy is 1 week. Young individuals up to 1 month old need 0.5 milliliters 3 times daily. Adult chickens are given 1 milliliter 3 times a day. When it comes to pullorosis, chickens are given half a milliliter of blue. The product is diluted with clean water and given 3 times a day. The duration of the treatment course lasts 10 days-++. In case of poisoning, chickens are injected into the axillary vein with a 1% solution based on a 15% glucose solution. Methylene blue is usually used as an adjunct to primary therapy. As a mono drug, the product is not suitable.
Blue is widely used as a prophylactic agent to increase the protective functions of the body of chickens. It is given 0.3-0.5 ml once a day.
What is blue iodine used for?
The scope of application of methylene blue is wide. Indications include:
- disinfection of premises;
- treatment of skin lesions;
- resistance to poisoning;
- treatment of fungal infections;
- elimination of skin parasitic microorganisms;
- relief of pain;
- increased exposure to antimalarials;
- for treating affected areas for genitourinary infections.
On affected tissues, the product creates a protective film.
Methods for preparing methylene blue
The product can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently. To make it at home, use the recipes below. The first instructions were created by Dr. V. Mokhnach.The second method is less popular, but makes it possible to obtain iodine, which dissolves better and does not irritate the epithelium.
- Recipe 1. You will need 200 ml of water, 1 tbsp. starch, 1 tsp. citric acid, 5% iodine in the amount of 1 dessert spoon. Take 100 ml of warm liquid, add starch and sugar to it. The components are mixed until the mass becomes homogeneous, without lumps. Pour citric acid into it and pour in another 100 ml of water. The mixture is placed on the stove and brought to a boil. It should turn out to be jelly. It needs to be cooled, pharmaceutical iodine poured in, and stirred. The liquid should turn blue. It is poured into a bottle and capped tightly. When interacting with the medicine, observe safety precautions, since it is difficult to wash away. Homemade blue can be stored for 3-4 months. When the composition begins to lose its blue tint, it loses its healing qualities.
- Recipe 2. Take 250 ml of water, 1 tbsp. starch, 5% iodine in the amount of 1 tsp. Pour 50 ml of warm water, starch, pharmaceutical iodine into a small saucepan, stir. Add 200 ml of boiling water to the mixture in a small stream, without ceasing to stir. The result is a paste-like solution. Let cool, pour into a bottle, and seal. Store prepared blue for 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
If you do not follow the proportions, the effectiveness of the product decreases.
Contraindications and side effects
Methylene blue can cause allergic reactions and skin rashes if the instructions are ignored. If the substance gets on mucous membranes, irritation is possible. In case of overdose, vomiting and diarrhea occur.
Methylene blue can lower hemoglobin levels, which can lead to anemia.
How to preserve methylene blue, expiration date
Blue bought at a pharmacy does not have a shelf life, provided that the storage conditions are met. Solutions with water or alcohol are suitable for 3 years from the date of issue. After opening, the period of suitability is shortened. The jars should be stored tightly closed, at low humidity and air temperature +15-25. If the blue spills on furniture or clothes, it cannot be washed off.
Methylene blue checker
Iodine checkers are widely used in the treatment and prevention of pathological conditions in birds. They are purchased at the pharmacy; they have high permeability. Checkers are used for the following purposes:
- disinfect the chicken coop;
- prevent outbreaks of epidemics;
- implement therapy during outbreaks of infections.
The “bomb” is placed on a non-flammable, flat surface. You can choose iron sheet, concrete, brick. Set fire to allow iodine vapor to carry out cyclic processing. After igniting the checker, healing blue fumes will begin to be released. It burns out in 30 seconds, the birds will not suspect a dirty trick.
When using checkers, pay attention to the following nuances:
- if respiratory pathologies are detected in birds, disinfection is carried out once every 2 days;
- when the concentration of the substance decreases, treat the poultry house daily, but do not forget about pauses every 3 days;
- prevent oxygen from entering the room to increase the power of blue iodine vapor to 200 mg per square meter.
When treating a poultry house with blue, it is advisable to remove the chickens from there. Also close windows and doors tightly for 3 hours. Afterwards, ventilate the chicken coop and rinse the equipment with running water. Only after these steps, start the chickens.
