Furazolidone is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and is used against a number of diseases in poultry, in particular turkeys. How to breed it correctly and when to give turkeys - read on.

Description and composition of the drug

The antibiotic in question belongs to the group of nitrafurans. 1 g of the drug contains 98% of the active substance of furazolidone.

Did you know? The cackling of a wild turkey is heard at a distance of 1 mile around. Only a male makes such a sound and does this in order to warn other males that a specific territory is already occupied, as well as to attract a female.

Additionally, the composition of the drug includes:

• potato starch;
• polysorbate;
• calcium stearate;
• lactose;
• sucrose.

"Furazolidone" for animals and birds is a yellow fine-crystalline powder with a light bitterness. It does not dissolve in water, partially soluble in alcohol. Virtually non-toxic.

The drug is available in the form of a powder packaged in double bags made of polyethylene or jars of plastic with a dosage of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 g. For turkey poultry, the drug can be used in tablets with a dosage of 50 mg.

Reception efficiency

"Furazolidone" is a universal remedy and is in almost every first-aid kit of an experienced poultry farmer. The effectiveness of the drug is high in relation to gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

The active substance completely inhibits the growth and formation of harmful microorganisms, such as:

• streptococci;
• staphylococci;
• sticks of dysentery;
• paratyphoid sticks, etc.

Video: Drinking turkeys "Furazolidone"

The tool has an antifungal and antitrichomonas effect on the bird's body, as well as a therapeutic effect in giardiasis, destroying toxins released by parasites in the process of life, cleansing the intestinal microflora.

The advantage of the drug is the slow development of resistance to furazolidone in harmful microorganisms. The active substance is active against bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics and sulfonamides.

When turkey poultry enters the body, the active substance is absorbed by the intestinal walls and is evenly distributed throughout all cells of the body, including the central nervous system. The concentration of the drug in the blood is observed only 1 hour after administration.The therapeutic dosage in blood plasma is observed within 4-6 hours. A life-threatening concentration in the tissues and kidneys is not created, since the drug is metabolized in the liver.

65% of the substance is excreted by the kidneys, part - with bile. When excreted with bile, a high concentration of the substance in the intestinal lumen is observed, due to which a high therapeutic effect is achieved with intestinal infections. In case of impaired renal function, furazolidone accumulates in the blood due to a slower elimination of kidneys from the body.

Important! Antibiotics are effective only for bacterial infections and are powerless against viruses.

When to use

How long to feed the birds with “Furazolidone” depends largely on the intensity of the disease and the type of bacteria that cause it.

The medicine is used in the following cases:

• hepatitis;
• giardiasis;
• coccidiosis;
• salmonellosis;
• paratyphoid;
• infectious diarrhea;
• bacillary dysentery or pullorosis;
• staphylococcal septicemia;
• respiratory mycoplasmosis.

In order to help as quickly as possible and save the livestock, you must be able to clearly identify the symptoms. Most diseases are determined by autopsy.

Hepatitis

Incubation 2–7 days.

The main symptoms are:

• decreased or complete lack of appetite;
• blue skin of the head;
• sudden death of birds without manifestations;
• decreased egg production and hatchability of turkey poults.

It is determined by symptoms, analyzes of discharge from the anus and an autopsy. Pathological analysis shows an increase in the liver by 1.5 times. Over the entire surface of the liver, numerous hemorrhages and necrotic foci of an ellipsoidal shape with uneven edges are noted.

The gall bladder is also enlarged, filled with a liquid of almost black color. The pancreas is enlarged, covered with pink-gray foci. The spleen can be enlarged or vice versa reduced.

Giardiasis

The main symptoms of giardiasis are:

• upset stool;
• liquid greenish-red droppings;
• growth retardation;
• sharp weight loss while maintaining appetite.

It is determined symptomatically, based on analyzes of bowel movements and postmortem examination. In the context of the liver and intestines, the parasites themselves are determined. The presence of through holes in the tissues of various organs (liver, lungs, etc.) is characteristic, depending on the focus in which the highest concentration of parasites.

Coccidiosis

The disease is most often identified in chicks. After infection, the first manifestations are noted already on the 7th day.

The main symptoms are:

• lack of appetite;
• crowding of birds;
• inhibition of activity, drowsiness;
• tousled down;
• intense thirst;
• diarrhea with blood.

With a pathological study, lesions are observed in the intestinal tract in the form of swelling of the tissues, necrotic outpourings. Diagnosis is based on these studies, as well as laboratory tests of bowel movements.

Important! The coccidia causing the disease will differ in type of activity depending on which birds are affected, that is, when the chickens are infected, turkeys will not be able to catch the virus from them.

Salmonellosis

It affects more often turkey poults in the first weeks of life.

It appears:

• decreased activity;
• diarrhea with whitish-yellow viscous feces that stick to the cloaca;
• shortness of breath
• convulsive muscle contractions of the whole body.

It is determined by symptoms, laboratory tests and pathological analysis. At autopsy, diseases with a similar course are excluded. In the context of the carcass, an enlargement of the liver, a change in the color of its tissues, and serous exudate are identified. The spleen and kidneys are enlarged. In the gall bladder, an overflow of bile is noted.

Paratyphoid

It affects turkeys under the age of 3-4 months, less often - adult birds. The incubation period lasts 1-2 days.

Symptomatic picture:

• uneven gait;
• tousled down;
• drooping wings;
• depressed state;
• lack of appetite;
• lacrimation of the eyes, accompanied by purulent conjunctivitis;
• swelling of the joints of the legs.

It is determined on the basis of bacteriological analysis, symptoms and autopsy.In a pathoanatomical study, the main factors indicating the presence of paratyphoid are:

• enlarged spleen and kidneys;
• inflamed hyperemic gastrointestinal mucosa.

Infectious Diarrhea

Black feces in turkeys signal this disease. As a result of infection, the mucous membranes become very tight, and small hemorrhages appear. Blood stains droppings in black.

The type of infection is determined by laboratory analysis of excrement.

Bacillary dysentery or pullorosis

It mainly affects chicks aged 1–7 days; in case of feeding disorders, it can be observed in chicks 1–2 months old.

The main symptoms are:

• white diarrhea;
• low mobility;
• increased thirst;
• rapid breathing;
• fever.

An autopsy reveals an enlarged liver. The gallbladder is full and also enlarged. The cecum is filled with curd mass. All intestinal mucosa are inflamed. An unabsorbed yolk is found in the abdominal cavity. Diagnosis is based on autopsy analysis, laboratory tests, and symptomatology.

Staphylococcal septicemia

Incubation lasts from 48 to 72 hours.

Symptoms:

• vesicular dermatitis;
• joint ankylosis;
• limp on one limb;
• decreased activity;
• fever;
• decreased appetite;
• exhaustion.

Did you know? Initially, in Europe, turkeys were bred only to obtain beautiful plumage, which was used to create outfits and accessories. Only in 1935 they began to breed for meat.

It is determined on the basis of laboratory tests with screening of the pathogen, pathoanatomical studies and clinics. An autopsy reveals an increase in the liver and spleen. The large intestine is inflamed, hyperemic, often covered with bran-shaped serous flakes. The mucous appendix is ​​inflamed catarrhally or hemorrhagically.

Respiratory Mycoplasmosis

Incubation can last from 2 days to 2 weeks.

The main symptoms are:

• wheezing that can be heard even from a distance;
• decreased appetite;
• discharge from the nasal passages;
• decrease in productivity;
• growth retardation;
• conjunctivitis.

The course of the disease is complicated by the addition of second microflora. Most often, birds under the age of 4 weeks are affected, among them there is the highest percentage of deaths.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of bacteriological analyzes, symptoms and an autopsy of a dead or forced slaughtered bird. An autopsy shows that the mucous membranes of the airways are inflamed. Purulent exudate is found in the oropharyngeal and nasal cavities. Fibrous films are identified on the liver in complicated cases.

Dosage and instructions for use

"Furazolidone" is added to the water to feed the young and dry food. The treatment regimen is determined depending on the type of pathogen. For young animals, the dose is calculated according to the number of livestock; for 1 chick, the dose is 0.1-0.4 mg.

Add the drug to food or water 1 time per day. The duration of treatment is 7-10 days. If necessary, the course can be repeated, but not earlier than after 10 days of a break.

In the acute course of typhoid, paratyphoid, salmonellosis, the dosage will be 0.04–0.06% relative to the norm of dry food, taking into account that the dose should not exceed 7–11 mg per week.

For prophylactic purposes from pullorosis, chicks are prescribed 0.4-0.6 mg of powder to dry food or water for 7 days.

Important! Taking antibiotics must necessarily be accompanied by taking probiotics, which the doctor selects taking into account the degree of gastrointestinal damage.

Contraindications and side effects

Before breeding a drug for turkeys, you need to familiarize yourself with the annotation regarding side effects and contraindications.

The drug can not be used with:

• intolerance to the active substance of this drug and its derivatives;
• impaired kidney function;
• exhaustion;
• strong weakening of the body.

Side effects can occur when the recommended dose is exceeded or when the owner does not know that the birds do not tolerate this drug.

In such cases, it is observed:

• rapid breathing;
• diarrhea;
• lack of appetite;
• the progression of the underlying disease after a short-term improvement;
• paralysis;
• death.

Shelf life and storage conditions

From the date of release, the drug retains its properties for 3 years, subject to all storage recommendations.

Important! Before using the drug, be sure to consult a doctor, as well as conduct a test on one or 3 individuals from the entire livestock. Such an approach will help to quickly correct mistakes and save a bird’s life if a drug intolerance is found in a specific litter of chicks.

Storage conditions:

• temperature within +5 ... + 25 ° С;
• lack of light;
• humidity not higher than 70%;
• preservation of the manufacturer’s packaging.

"Furazolidone" refers to universal preparations, which should be in the first-aid kit for urgent help of a poultry breeder. It is effective against most known diseases that affect turkeys.