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Doxycycline plasma concentrations in macaws fed a medicate corn diet
S E Prus1, S L Clubb, K Flammer
1Department of Companion Animal and Special Species Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606.
Avian Diseases
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Feeding a doxycycline-medicated corn diet to large psittacine birds achieved therapeutic plasma concentrations in most samples. This suggests the diet may be effective for treating chlamydiosis in these avian species.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Avian Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chlamydiosis is a significant disease in psittacine birds.
- Doxycycline is the primary antibiotic used for treating chlamydiosis in these birds.
- Effective drug delivery methods are crucial for treating avian diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate doxycycline plasma concentrations in large psittacine birds fed a medicated corn diet.
- To determine if the achieved concentrations are therapeutic for chlamydiosis treatment.
Main Methods:
- A 0.1% doxycycline-medicated corn diet was administered to healthy macaws for 45 days.
- Plasma doxycycline levels were measured using microbiological assay on days 3, 15, 30, and 45.
- Therapeutic concentration was defined as >1 microgram/ml.
Main Results:
- 87% of plasma samples showed doxycycline concentrations above 1 microgram/ml.
- Consistent plasma levels were observed throughout the 45-day feeding period.
- The medicated diet facilitated sustained drug exposure.
Conclusions:
- A doxycycline-medicated corn diet can achieve therapeutic plasma concentrations in large psittacine birds.
- This dietary approach shows potential efficacy for treating chlamydiosis in macaws and similar species.
- Further studies can validate the clinical effectiveness of this treatment method.