Toxicity of anti-coccidiostats

Coccidiostats are used for the control of naturally occurring coccidiosis, mainly in poultry, calves and lambs. The ideal coccidiostat suppress the full development of life cycle of Coccidia, aloows immunity to develop and does not interfere with production performance.

Some examples of coccidiostat are: Amprolium, Florfenicol, Clopidol, Decoquinate, Clazuril, Oryzalin, Monesin, Narasin etc.

Uses:

-Coccidiostats are mainly used to control coccidiosis.

 -To maintain intestinal integrity.

 -Alleviate intestinal pain and suffering .

-Help to deliver good bird health and welfare.

Sources:

Sodium ionophores are mainly used as coccidiostats whose sources are given below:

-Sodium chloride (NaCl)

-Sodium bicarbonate (SBC)

 -Sodium sulphate decahydrate (SSD)

Kinetics:

Florfenicol is the most widely used coccidiostat in the veterinary field whose brief pharmacokinetic characters are given below:

-Half life: 2-3 hours

-Absorption: absorption is poor from GIT. Bioavailability is 54% for intramammary injection and 38% for intramuscular injection

-Dose: 25 mg/kg body weight

-Route of administration: IV or IM or intramammary but not given orally because of first pass effect

Mechanism of action:

Florfenicol binds reversibly to 50s unit of ribosome resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis of Coccidia parasites

-Coccidiostat should be injected at an early stage of infecton

Toxic effects

-Severe neurological disturbance manifestated by fine tremors, rolling gait and incoordination.

-Affected birds have necrosis of purkinjey cells of cerebellar cortex.

 -Generally do not interfere the growth and development of birds but when used haphazardly the birds show reduced growth rate.

 -Loss of body weight and declined production efficiency

Clinical Signs:

Incoordination

 -Leg weakness

-Diarrhoea

 -Reduced feed intake

 -Weight depression

Diagnosis:

-On the basis of clinical signs and symptoms

 -Specific histopathological lesions of myopathy

 -Presence of high level of ionophores in feed .

Treatment:

-No known antidote or treatment for coccidiostat toxicity

-When suspected immediately change the feed to another ration until complete the diagnosis

 -Prevent contamination of feed

-Use the exact dose of coccidiostats

-Check the compatibility or interaction of certain coccidiostats with other drugs

Differential diagnosis:

 -Nutritional myopathy

 -Sodium chloride toxicity

-Botulism

-Myopathic mycotoxins

-New castle disease

-Marek’s disease