Target species
Turkeys (broilers, breeders).
Indications for use
Treatment of clinical respiratory infections associated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum susceptible to doxycycline.
Contraindications
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Do not use in animals with hepatic and/or renal dysfunction.
Do not use when tetracycline resistance has been detected in the flock due to the potential for cross-resistance.
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, turkeys should be treated parenterally.
Special precautions for use in animals
Official, national and regional antimicrobial policies should be taken into account when the product is used.
Use of the product deviating from the instructions given in this datasheet 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.
Due to likely variability (time, geographical) in susceptibility of bacteria for doxycycline bacteriological sampling and susceptibility testing are recommended. In particular susceptibility of O. rhinotracheale may differ from country to country and even farm to farm.
Use of the product should be based on culture and sensitivity of micro-organisms from diseased cases on farm. If this is not possible, therapy should be based on local (regional, farm level) epidemiological information about susceptibility of the target bacteria. 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.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
This product may cause contact dermatitis and/or hypersensitivity reactions if contact is made with the skin or eyes (powder and solution) or if the product is inhaled.
If you know you are allergic to the tetracycline class of antibiotics, special care should be taken when handling this product or the medicated solution. 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
As for all tetracyclines, on rare occasions (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals) allergic reactions and photosensitivity may occur. If suspected adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Laboratory studies in rats and rabbits have not produced any evidence of a teratogenic, foetotoxic or maternotoxic effect. Do not use in birds in lay and within 4 weeks before the start of the laying period.
Interactions
Do not administer in conjunction with bactericidal antibiotics such as beta-lactams as tetracyclines are bacteriostatic antimicrobials. 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 or 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 it will precipitate out if mixed in alkaline solutions.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Administration orally in the drinking water.
Dosage: 25 mg doxycycline corresponding to 29 mg doxycycline hyclate per kg of body weight daily (equivalent to 58 mg product per kg of body weight), administered in the drinking water for 5 consecutive days.
The product should be administered continuously in the drinking water during the whole period of treatment. Based on the dosage to be used, and the number and weight of the birds to be treated, the exact daily amount of product can be calculated. The following formula can be used to calculate the concentration of the product in drinking water:
58 mg product / kg body weight / day x mean body weight (kg) of birds to be treated | | |
________________________________________________ | = | ___ mg product per litre drinking water |
Mean daily water consumption (l) per bird | | |
To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible. The uptake of medicated drinking water depends on the clinical condition of the birds. In order to obtain the correct dosage the concentration of doxycycline has to be adjusted accordingly. 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 refreshed or replaced 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. Solubility of the product is pH dependent and it may precipitate out if it is mixed in hard alkaline drinking water. Use at minimum concentrations of 200 mg powder per litre drinking water in areas with hard alkaline drinking water (hardness above 10.2°d and pH more than 8.1). During the treatment period birds should not have access to water sources other than the medicated water.
Overdose
No adverse effects were observed after administration of doxycycline to turkeys at the fivefold therapeutic dose for up to 10 days. If suspected toxic reactions do occur due to extreme overdose, the medication should be discontinued and appropriate symptomatic treatment should be initiated if necessary.
Withdrawal periods
Turkeys: Meat and offal - 12 days.
Not authorised for use in birds producing eggs for human consumption.