Instructions for the use of Metronidazole for the treatment of chickens and the recommended dosage
Metronidazole is a popular and effective drug, the purpose of which is to fight harmful microorganisms. The remedy is widespread among poultry farmers and is actively used to treat infections in poultry. The drug is effective in eliminating parasites in the body and preventing the death of birds. Let's look at the mechanism of action of the drug and figure out how to use Metronidazole correctly and with the best effect for the treatment of chickens.
Composition and form of release
The main active ingredient that is part of the product is an antibacterial component, which bears the same name as the drug itself - metronidazole. Excipients are cellulose, calcium stearate, starch.
They are designed to speed up the process by which metronidazole attacks harmful bacteria.
The drug is produced in tablets weighing five hundred milligrams, one package can contain a different number of tablets - from one hundred to a thousand. In addition, there is a variant of the remedy in the form of capsules, suppositories, powder and ointments. However, for birds it will be most acceptable to use a tablet form of release, as well as capsules or powder.
Mechanism of action
The principle of action of the agent is that it restores the 5-nitro group of metronidazole with the help of intracellular proteins in the parasite's body. As a result, the reduced nitro group thus affects the DNA of the microorganism, which slows down the synthesis of substances in its cells. This process leads to the complete death of the microorganism.
For best absorption and efficacy, the agent should be administered to the bird through the gastrointestinal tract, along with food.
Indications for use
The medicine should be given to chickens, layers and roosters for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by exposure to parasitic protozoa. These include diseases such as trichomoniasis, coccidiosis, and various infections caused by anaerobic bacteria.
Their action can be signaled by: the appearance of bloody diarrhea in birds, decreased appetite and increased fluid intake, decreased physical activity and the desire of birds to stay closer to heat sources even at high air temperatures.
Instructions for use and dosage of the drug for chickens
For the treatment of chickens with Metronidazole in tablet form, tablets should be crushed and added to food, with the calculation of the dosage.The medicine is given to the bird three days in a row, twice a day. In some cases, the duration of the medication can be up to ten days.
In the case of using the powder form of the medicine, it should be diluted with water. However, due to the fact that the powder tends to settle at the bottom of the container, it must be given to the chicks through a pipette. The product is safe for poultry, except in rare cases when the chicken is hypersensitive to some of the components of the drug.
Overdose
An overdose of the drug is signaled by symptoms such as vomiting, a sharp decrease in appetite and convulsive twitching in the limbs. If the dose is exceeded, measures should be taken immediately: make a gastric lavage, take enterosorbent. An overdose itself is possible when using the medicine in the form of tablets or powder, therefore, you should carefully consider calculating the dose of the drug per individual in order to avoid side negative consequences.
Side effects
The main side effects that can occur when taking Metronidazole are a sharp decrease in appetite, loose stools, nausea, and allergic reactions. With proper adherence to the instructions for the drug and careful adherence to the dosage, the risk of side effects is small.
If the order of administration is not taken, for example, if the dosage is exceeded, the birds may develop renal or liver failure, which in turn will lead to the death of the chicken. If the bird has allergic reactions to the drug, contact a specialist to prescribe a poultry-safe analogue.
Contraindications for use
The main contraindication when using Metronidazone to treat birds from infectious diseases, as mentioned above, are allergic reactions caused by the individual intolerance of the poultry body to the components of the drug, as with most other drugs.
This is rarely observed. However, if you notice the manifestation of similar reactions of the bird to the remedy, you should select a drug with a similar effect based on other components. To do this, you should contact your veterinarian.
Conditions and shelf life
The package with the medicine should be stored in a dry, warm place, protected from direct sunlight, at a temperature not exceeding twenty-twenty-five degrees Celsius. With proper observance of the storage conditions, the shelf life of Metronidazole will be twenty-four months from the date of release. Before using the medication, you should contact a qualified specialist to examine the symptoms of the disease, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment and dosage.
You should not prescribe treatment on your own, always, if symptoms of a disease in poultry appear, contact your veterinarian so as not to make a mistake and not spoil the condition of the bird's body even more. Carefully follow the order of administration and dosage of the drug prescribed by your doctor.
The cost of the drug and where to buy it?
The price for a package of a medicine starts at about twenty rubles, depending on the form of release and the amount of medicine in the package. You can buy Metronidazole at any pharmacy. There are imported options on the market, as well as options for funds from domestic manufacturers.
The composition of the medicine does not differ depending on the manufacturer, however, the imported drug will cost more, since its cost includes an extra charge for transportation.
