Metronidazole for chickens: instructions for use and dosage, how to give, treatment rules

Metronidazole is a popular and effective drug, the purpose of which is to fight harmful microorganisms. The tool is common among poultry farmers and is actively used to treat poultry infections. The drug is effective in eliminating parasites in the body and in preventing the death of birds. Let's look at the mechanism of action of the drug and figure out how to use Metronidazole for the treatment of chickens correctly and with the best effect.

Composition and release form

The main active ingredient in the product is an antibacterial component, which has the same name as the drug itself - metronidazole. The excipients are cellulose, calcium stearate, starch.

They are designed to speed up the process of metronidazole's action on harmful bacteria.

The drug is produced in tablets weighing five hundred milligrams, one package may 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, the tablet form, as well as capsules or powder, will be most acceptable.

Mechanism of action

The principle of action of the remedy is that it restores the 5-nitro group of metronidazole with the help of intracellular proteins in the body of the parasite. As a result, the reduced nitro group acts on the DNA of the microorganism in such a way that the synthesis of substances in its cells slows down. This process results in the complete death of the microorganism.

For best absorption and effectiveness, the product should be administered to the bird through the gastrointestinal tract, along with food.

Indications for use

The medicine should be given to chickens, laying hens 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, reduced motor activity and the desire of birds to be 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, the tablets should be crushed and added to food, with the calculation of the dosage. The drug is given to the bird for three days in a row, twice a day. In some cases, the duration of the medication can be up to ten days.

In case of using the powder form of the drug, 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 birds, except in rare cases when the chicken has an increased sensitivity to some components of the drug.

Overdose

An overdose of the drug is signaled by symptoms such as vomiting, a sharp decrease in appetite and convulsive twitches in the limbs. If the dose is exceeded, measures should be taken immediately: do a gastric lavage, take an enterosorbent. An overdose itself is possible when using the drug in the form of tablets or powder, so you should carefully consider the calculation of the dose of the drug per individual in order to avoid negative side effects.

Side effects

The main side effects that may occur when taking Metronidazole are a sharp decrease in appetite, loose stools, nausea, and allergic reactions. With proper observance of the instructions for the drug and careful observance of the dosage, the risk of side effects is small.

If you violate the order of intake, for example, exceed the dosage, the birds may develop kidney or liver failure, which in turn will lead to the death of the chicken. If your bird has an allergic reaction to the drug, see a specialist for a bird-safe equivalent.

Contraindications for use

The main contraindication when using Metronidazon for the treatment of birds from infectious diseases, as mentioned above, are allergic reactions caused by individual intolerance to the body of the bird components of the drug, as well as when taking most other drugs.

This is quite rare. However, if you notice the manifestation of similar bird reactions to the drug, you should choose a drug with a similar effect, based on other components. To do this, contact your veterinarian.

Terms and conditions of storage

The medicine package should be stored in a dry, warm place, protected from direct sunlight, at a temperature not exceeding twenty to twenty-five degrees Celsius. With proper observance of storage conditions, the shelf life of Metronidazole will be twenty-four months from the date of issue. Before using the medicine, you should consult a qualified specialist to examine the symptoms of the disease, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment and dosage.

You should not prescribe treatment yourself, always, when symptoms of poultry disease appear, contact veterinarians so as not to make a mistake and not spoil the state of the bird's body even more.Carefully follow the order of administration and dosage of the drug prescribed by your doctor.

Cost of the drug and where to buy it?

The price of a drug package 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 drug does not differ depending on the manufacturer, however, the imported drug will cost more, as it includes a shipping surcharge.