Target species
Chickens (broilers)
Pigs (Fattening pigs)
Indications for use
Chickens (broilers) : Prevention and treatment of Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum susceptible to doxycycline.
Fattening pigs: prevention and treatment of clinical respiratory infection caused by sensitive strains of Pasteurella multocida susceptible to doxycycline.
Use of the product should be based on susceptibility testing of the bacteria isolated from the animal. If this is not possible, therapy should be based on local (regional, farm level) epidemiological information about susceptibility of the target bacteria. The presence of the clinical disease in the herd should be established before preventive treatment is started.
Contra-indications
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance, to other tetracyclines or to any excipient.
Do not use in animals with hepatic disorders.
Do not use in animals with renal disorders
Special warnings for each target species
The uptake of medication by animals can be altered as a consequence of illness. In case of insufficient uptake of drinking water, animals should be treated parenterally.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
Due to variability (time, geographical) in susceptibility of bacteria for doxycycline, bacteriological sampling and susceptibility testing of micro-organisms from diseased animals on farm are highly recommended.If this is not possible, therapy should be based on local (regional and farm level) epidemiological information about susceptibility of the target bacteria as well as by taking into account official national antimicrobial policies.
As eradication of the target pathogens may not be achieved, medication should therefore be combined with good management practices, e.g. good hygiene, proper ventilation, no overstocking.
Avoid administration in oxidised drinking equipment.
Inappropriate use of the product may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to doxycycline and may decrease the effectiveness of treatment with other tetracyclines due to the potential for cross-resistance.
Do not use at concentrations lower than 0.23 g of powder /litre in drinking water with pH higher or equal to 7.5 to avoid precipitation.
Do not add acid to the medicated drinking water.
Special precautions for the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
People with known hypersensitivity to tetracyclines should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product During preparation and administration of the medicated drinking water, skin contact with the product and inhalation of dust particles should be avoided. Wear impermeable gloves (e.g. rubber or latex) and an appropriate dust mask (e.g. disposable half-mask respirator conforming to European Standard EN149) when applying the product. In the event of eye or skin contact, rinse the affected area with large amounts of clean water and if irritation occurs, seek medical attention. Wash hands and contaminated skin immediately after handling the product.
If you develop symptoms following exposure such as skin rash, you should seek medical advice and show this warning to the physician.
Swelling of the face, lips or eyes, or difficulty with breathing are more serious symptoms and require urgent medical attention.
Do not smoke, eat or drink while handling the product.
Take measures to avoid producing dust when incorporating the product into water.
Avoid direct contact with skin and eyes when handling the product to prevent sensitisation and contact dermatitis.
Adverse reactions
Allergic reactions.
Photosensitivity reactions.
If suspected adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued. Inform your veterinary surgeon if adverse reactions occur that are not indicated.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The product should not be used during pregnancy or lactation.
Do not use within 4 weeks of onset of the laying period.
Interactions
Do not administer together with bactericidal antibiotics (penicillins, aminoglycosides, etc.)
Absorption of doxycycline can be decreased in the presence of high quantities of calcium, iron, magnesium or aluminium in the diet. Do not administer together with antacids, kaolin and iron preparations.
It is advised that the interval between the administration of other products containing polyvalent cations should be 1-2 hours because they limit the absorption of tetracyclines.
Doxycycline increases the action of anticoagulants.
The solubility of the product is pH dependent and will precipitate if mixed in alkaline solution.
Do not store the drinking water in metallic containers.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
To be administered in drinking water.
Chickens (broilers): 20 mg of doxycycline (equivalent to 40 mg of the veterinary medicinal product) / kg BW / day for 3 - 5 days
Fattening pigs: 10 mg of doxycycline (equivalent to 20 mg of the veterinary medicinal product) / kg BW / day for 5 days.
For the preparation of the medicated water the body weight of the animals to be treated and their actual daily water intake should be taken into due account. Consumption may vary depending on factors like age, state of health, breed, husbandry system. Based on the recommended dose, and the number and weight of the animals to be treated, the exact daily amount of HydroDoxx should be calculated according to the following formula:
--- mg HydroDoxx per kg BW per day | x | Mean BW (kg) of the animals to be treated | | | |
__________________________________ | = | --- mg HydroDoxx per litre of drinking water | |
Mean daily water consumption per animal (litres) | | | |
To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible to avoid under-dosing.
The intake of medicated water depends on the clinical condition of the animals. In order to obtain the correct dosage the concentration of doxycycline has to be adjusted accordingly. Do not use at concentrations lower than 0.23 g of powder /l in drinking water with pH higher or equal to 7.5 to avoid precipitation.
Sufficient access to the system of water supply should be available for the animals to be treated to ensure adequate water consumption. No other source of drinking water should be available during the medication period.
The use of suitably calibrated weighing equipment is recommended if part packs are used. The daily amount is to be added to the drinking water such that all medication will be consumed in 24 hours. Medicated drinking water should be freshly prepared every 24 hours. It is recommended to prepare a concentrated pre-solution - approximately 100 grams product per litre drinking water - and to dilute this further to therapeutic concentrations if required. Alternatively, the concentrated solution can be used in a proportional water medicator.
Overdose
The administration of 40 mg/kg BW in pigs and 80 mg/kg in chickens (in both species corresponding to 4 times the recommended dose), for 5 days did not cause any adverse reaction.
In case of overdose the treatment should be suspended and symptomatic treatment established.
Withdrawal periods
Meat and offal
Pigs: 6 days
Chickens: 6 days
Not authorised for use in laying birds producing eggs for human consumption.
Do not use within 4 weeks of onset of the laying period.