TO BE ADMINISTERED ORALLY VIA DRINKING WATER
Chickens:
The recommended dose is 10 mg doxycycline hyclate (20 mg product) per kg body weight per day for 3-4 consecutive days in case of infections caused by P. multocida and 20 mg doxycycline hyclate (40 mg product) per kg body weight per day for 3-4 consecutive days in case of infections caused by O. rhinotracheale.
Pigs:
The recommended dose is 12.5 mg doxycycline hyclate (25 mg product) per kg body weight per day for 4 consecutive days.
If no improvement in clinical signs is seen within this time, the diagnosis should be reviewed and treatment changed. In case of severe infections the medication period may be prolonged for a maximum of 8 consecutive days as determined by the attending veterinary surgeon.
Based on the dose to be used, and the number and weight of the animals 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:
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 pigs/chickens. 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 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 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 animals should not have access to other water sources than the medicated water.
Water uptake should be monitored at frequent intervals during medication.
After the end of the medication period, the water supply system should be cleaned appropriately to avoid intake of sub-therapeutic amounts of the active substance.