Violation of sanitary rules for keeping poultry, regarding timely replacement of bedding, keeping feeders and drinkers clean, leads to infection of the livestock with protozoan parasites. Antiprotozoal and antibacterial agents are used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. For waterfowl, including ducklings, use Metronidazole diluted in water according to the indicated dosage.
Composition and release form of Metronidazole
The drug for veterinary medicine is used in tablet form.One tablet contains 0.25-0.125 milligrams of metronidazole. The drug is a synthetic analogue of the natural substance azomycin, produced by streptomycetes (bacteria of the genus Streptomyces).
Pharmacological properties
The mechanism of action of Metronidazole is to inhibit the DNA function of pathogenic microorganisms, leading to disruption of their metabolic processes and death. After administration, the medicine is absorbed through the digestive system of birds and distributed throughout tissues and biological fluids, reaching:
- into the bone marrow;
- blood;
- bile.
Up to 60% of Metronidazole is concentrated in the liver, where a metabolite is formed that retains antiparasitic and antibacterial properties. It is excreted from the bird's body within 48 hours with feces. Aerobic bacteria and fungal infections are insensitive to the drug.
Indications for use
Metronidazole is used as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent. Coccidiosis. It is impossible to exclude infection with coccidia, since in the external environment the protozoa are present in the form of oocysts, microscopic capsules that are resistant to unfavorable conditions and disinfectants for several months.
Free-range poultry becomes infected more often than cage-fed poultry due to the introduction of oocysts into the premises. The most susceptible age for young birds is from 2 to 6 weeks. Symptoms of coccidiosis in birds:
- lack of appetite combined with constant strong thirst;
- weight loss;
- diarrhea with bloody discharge;
- dull and ruffled plumage;
- apathetic state.
If left untreated, paralysis of motor muscles occurs. Histomoniasis, or black head. The causative agent is histomonas (a class of flagellated protozoa).Development goes through 2 phases: flagellar and amoeboid. Parasites infect the cecum and liver of birds. The carriers of the pathogen are earthworms and flies. Nematode eggs remain viable for a long time in soil contaminated litter.
External signs:
- depressed state;
- weight loss;
- dull plumage;
- blue skin on the head.
In chickens, ducklings, goslings, and turkey poults, the disease proceeds in a dangerous form, turning into an epidemic. The entire livestock of young animals can be infected within 2 days. Symptoms of histomoniasis:
- blackening of the skin on the head;
- foamy yellow-green diarrhea with a pungent odor;
- lack of activity;
- photophobia;
- dirty, matted plumage.
Turkey poults are most susceptible to the disease (mortality rate is from 70 to 90%). The internal organs of sick birds must be burned after slaughter.
Trichomonosis. The causative agents are Trichomonas, protozoan parasites ranging in size from 15 to 40 micromillimeters.
Localization of pathogens in birds:
- oral and nasal cavity;
- upper part of the esophagus;
- intestines;
- liver;
- oviducts.
As a result of the lesion, swallowing food and breathing are difficult. Primary signs of infection:
- oppression;
- movement coordination disorder;
- diarrhea.
The most vulnerable are chicks of all species under the age of 30 days, among which mortality can begin 2-3 days from the start of the epidemic. The source of infection is mice and rats, carriers of Trichomonas.
Instructions and dosages for ducks
Metronidazole is used as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for chicks and adult birds.For chicks and ducklings, the tablets are crushed, dissolved in warm water and given through a pipette or syringe at the rate of 0.1 milligrams per chick weight every 8 hours. The duration of treatment is 7-10 days, depending on the degree of damage.
For goslings, the medicinal solution is prepared in a proportion of 25 milligrams per live weight. If the young animals are weakened and cannot drink, then they are forcibly administered through the beak using a pipette 3 times a day.
For grown-up chicks and adult birds, Metronidazole is mixed into the feed in crushed form at the rate of 1.5 grams per 1 kilogram of feed for ducks and chickens. For geese and turkeys, the dose increases to 4.5 grams per 1 kilogram of feed.
For preventive purposes, the medicine is used for histomoniasis for 10 days. The exact dosage and duration of the course, depending on the severity and extent of the disease, should be determined by a veterinarian
Consequences of overdose
If the dosage and duration of treatment are not observed, birds will develop symptoms of overdose. An allergic reaction manifests itself in indigestion and movement coordination. In such cases, consultation with a veterinarian is required.
Possible side effects and contraindications
A contraindication is intolerance to Metronidazole, in which the bird develops convulsions. A side effect of using the medicine is refusal to feed and diarrhea.
Expiration date and storage rules
The drug is used within 2 years from the date of manufacture specified by the manufacturer. The drug is deactivated in light and at temperatures above 25 degrees.
Analogues of the drug
Medicines containing the active ingredient metronidazole in tablet form:
- "Trichopolus";
- "Klion";
- "Metrogil";
- "Flagyl".
The differences between the drugs lie in the country of origin (India, France, Spain, Russia).
