survey on antibacterial drug use in broiler chicken farms in Qum province, Iran

Background: Antibacterial drugs have long been used for prevention and treatment of poultry diseases but their misuse or overuse can make adverse effects on public health including occurrence of drug residues in poultry products

Objectives: To assess the frequency and status of antibacterial drug consumption in broiler production farms in Qum province

Methods: In the present survey, Qum province was divided into six regions [north, west, southwest, south, southeast and east] and in total 138 broiler production units [59%] were studied by direct interview using a questionnaire

Results: The present study showed that the most frequently used antimicrobial drugs in broiler farms were sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim [93.4%] followed by enrofloxacin [60.0%], colistin [49.7%], furazolidone [42.0%], oxytetracycline [17.5%], and chloramphenicol [14.6%]. Mean antibacterial consumption rate during a 42-48 day production period was 3.0+/-0.37 times per farm. A notable finding in this survey was the high percentage of banned drug usage such as furazolidone and chloramphenicol, indicating the ignorance or un-awareness of poultrymen regarding the potential hazards of these drugs on public health

Conclusions: Owing to widespread and frequent usage of antibacterial drugs in broiler farms, all-out actions are needed to be taken in educational, research and administrative fields of veterinary and animal production sectors for rational and responsible use of these drugs in poultry industry

survey on antibacterial drug usage in dairy farms in Tehran province during 2004-2005

Antibacterial drug use in food-producing animals may be associated with risks to public health. The present survey was carried out due to lack of data on the status of antibacterial drug usage in Tehran Province dairy farms. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the status of antibacterial drug usage in these farms and implementation of the points from public health view. A total of 120 dairy farms in four regions of Tehran province including East [Damavand], South-East [Varamin and Shar-e-Rey], South-West [Shariar and Islamshar] and West [Karaj and Savojbolagh], were surveyed by direct interview using a questionnaire. The mean consumption rate of oxytetracycline and penicillin + streptomycin, 100% and 93.25%, respectively, were the most frequently used antibacterial products in these dairy farms in terms of variety, and a wide range of other antibacterials also showed high percentages of usage. Regarding intramammary formulations, cloxacillin, Dry Cow [DC], with a mean of 82.5%, was shown to be the most frequently used intramammary products in terms of variety. In 47.4% of farms, the orders for antibacterial drugs were issued by non-veterinarians. Also, in a considerable percentage of dairy farms the milk collected from animals receiving antibacterial drugs for mastitis [27.5%] or other infectious diseases [24.2%] were being entered into the milk reservoirs to be used for humans. The principles of rational antimicrobial therapy as well as withdrawal/ milk discard times are not implemented in a great percentage of these dairy farms. This situation may be due to lack of knowledge among dairymen regarding drug use and public health, and inadequate supervision of the veterinary offices of Tehran province

Effects of some alpha 2-adrenergic agonists and their antagonists on food intake in dwarf goats

The effects of some alpha[2] adrenoceptor agonists and their antagonist atipamezole on food intake were studied in dwarf goats. Detomidine at the dose rate of 0.2 micro g/kg/min over 10 min failed to modify food intake during either the first or second observation period [0-30 min and 180-210 min after drug infusion respectively]. Given at a higher dosage [rate of 0.4 micro g/ min over 10 min] the drug inhibited food consumption during the first observation period but stimulate food intake during the second observation period. A similar pattern was observed often i.v. infusion with medetomidine [0.2 micro g /kg min over 10 min] romifidine [0.4 micro g /kg min over 10 min] or xylazine [1 micro g/kg/ min over 10 min]. The alpha[2] antagonist atipamezole [2 micro g/kg/min over 10 min] failed to modify food intake during either the first or second abservation period. After premedication with atipamezole the effects of alpha[2] agonists of feeding behaviour were completely antagonized. These results suggest that the CNS control of feeding differs in ruminants and monogastric species

[Drug interaction between iron and oxytetracycline absorption in swine]

Iron is known to interfere with the absorption of simultaneously taken tetracycline derivatives. In order to avoid this interaction a suitable time interval should be regarded between the administration of tetracycline and iron in swine. The drug interaction is probably due to the formation of chelates in the gastrointestinal tract. A time interval of about 3 hours however is sufficient to avoid drug interaction between iron and tetracyclines. The present study was intended to demonstrate the interference between iron [in rusty water] and oxytetracydine absorption in swine. But the amount and/or the type of iron used, may not significantly influence the absorption of simultaneously ingested tetracycline