Target Species
Sheep (lambs) and cattle (calves).
Indications for use
For the treatment and prevention of coccidial infections in lambs caused in particular by the more pathogenic Eimeria species, Eimeria crandallis and Eimeria ovinoidalis.
To aid in the control of coccidiosis in calves caused by Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii.
Contraindications
None.
Special warnings for each target species
None.
Special precautions for use
For oral use only.
It is advocated to treat all lambs of the flock and all calves in a pen. This will contribute to reduce the infection pressure and assure a better epidemiological control of the coccidiosis infection.
Lambs:
On rare occasions, in highly susceptible lambs e.g. where they have been housed for long periods of time before being turned out onto heavily contaminated pasture, a severe scour has been seen shortly after dosing. In such cases, fluid therapy is essential and the use of a sulphonamide should be considered. It is also important to consider other potential pathogens that may be playing a role e.g. Cryptosporidium, Nematodirus, Rotavirus, Giardia and E. coli.
In the event of any stress factors (e.g. cold weather, other diseases) or high challenge (e.g. warm wet weather, inability to move lambs from infected pastures after dosing) the timing of the doses may need to be adjusted.
Calves:
Clinical coccidiosis generally occurs late in the parasite’s life cycle after most of the damage to the calf’s intestine has already been done. This severely damaged intestine can easily be infected by secondary bacteria and/or other agents. In cases of acute clinical coccidiosis treated with the veterinary medicinal product, fluid therapy is essential and the use of an antibiotic should be considered. Symptoms of clinical disease may remain obvious in some calves treated with the veterinary medicinal product, even though oocyst excretion is reduced to a very low level, and overall prevalence of diarrhoea is decreased.
Operator warnings
Wash hands after use.
Adverse Reactions
Sheep (lambs) and cattle (calves):
Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports): | Gastrointestinal signs (e.g. Diarrhoea1,2); Lethargy, Recumbency; Agitation; Neurological signs (e.g. Paresis). |
1 with possible presence of blood.
2 in some treated animals, even though oocyst excretion is reduced to a very low level.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.
Use during pregnancy or lactation
Not applicable.
Interactions
None known.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Oral use.
To ensure a correct dosage, bodyweight should be determined as accurately as possible.
Lambs:
Therapeutic use: 1 mg diclazuril per kg bodyweight or 1 ml of the veterinary medicinal product per 2.5 kg bodyweight, as a single administration.
Preventative use: 1 mg diclazuril per kg bodyweight or 1 ml of the veterinary medicinal product per 2.5 kg bodyweight at about 4 - 6 weeks of age at the time that coccidiosis can normally be expected on the farm.
Under conditions of high infection pressure, a second treatment may be indicated about 3 weeks after the first dosing.
Calves:
To aid in the control of coccidiosis: 1 mg diclazuril per kg bodyweight or 1 ml of the veterinary medicinal product per 2.5 kg bodyweight, administered as a single dose, 14 days after moving into a potentially high-risk environment.
If a satisfactory response is not observed, then further advice should be sought from your veterinary surgeon and the cause of the condition should be reviewed. It is good practice to ensure the cleanliness of calf housing.
Treatment with diclazuril causes interruption of the coccidial cycle and of excretion of oocysts for approximately 2 to 3 weeks after administration.
Method of administration
Shake well before use.
After using the draw-off cap, re-close the container with the original cap. The veterinary medicinal product should be administered with a drenching gun. Appropriate drenching equipment should be used to allow accurate dosing. This is particularly important when administering small volumes.
Overdose
The veterinary medicinal product was given to lambs as a single dose up to 60 times the therapeutic dose. No adverse clinical effects were reported.
No adverse effects were noted either at 5 times the therapeutic dose administered four consecutive times with a 7-day interval.
In calves, the product was tolerated when administered up to five times the recommended dose rate.
Withdrawal periods
Lambs and calves:
Meat and offal: Zero days.