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Blood concentrations of chlortetracycline in macaws fed medicated pelleted feed
K Flammer1, D R Cassidy, W W Landgraf
1Aviculture Institute, Newhall, California 91321.
Abstract:
A trial was conducted to determine the suitability of using a pelleted diet containing chlortetracycline (CTC) for treatment of chlamydiosis in macaws. Macaws, normally fed seed and fruit diets in captivity, are notoriously difficult to treat with CTC-medicated mash diets. Healthy macaws fed a pelleted diet containing 1% or 1.5% CTC for 30 or 45 days maintained adequate food intake and mean blood concentrations of 1-2 CTC micrograms/ml blood throughout the treatment period. There were no significant differences between blood concentrations induced by the different dietary CTC concentrations. Blood concentrations of 1 microgram/ml are considered therapeutic, so it is likely that 1% CTC-medicated pellets will be adequate for treating chlamydiosis in these species.
Insights
Pelleted diets with chlortetracycline (CTC) show promise for treating chlamydiosis in macaws, a species difficult to medicate. This study found that 1% CTC pellets maintained therapeutic blood levels without affecting food intake.
Area of Science:
- Avian medicine
- Pharmacology
- Zoological nutrition
Background:
- Chlamydiosis is a significant disease in captive macaws.
- Traditional treatment with chlortetracycline (CTC) in mash diets is often ineffective due to poor intake.
- Macaws typically consume seed and fruit diets, complicating medication delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a pelleted diet containing chlortetracycline (CTC) for treating chlamydiosis in macaws.
- To determine if pelleted formulations improve CTC delivery and therapeutic blood concentrations in this species.
Main Methods:
- Healthy macaws were fed pelleted diets containing either 1% or 1.5% CTC.
- Treatment durations varied between 30 and 45 days.
- Food intake and blood CTC concentrations were monitored throughout the study.
Main Results:
- Macaws maintained adequate food intake on CTC-medicated pelleted diets.
- Mean blood CTC concentrations ranged from 1-2 micrograms/ml, considered therapeutic.
- No significant differences in blood CTC levels were observed between the 1% and 1.5% CTC concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Pelleted diets containing CTC are a suitable and effective method for treating chlamydiosis in macaws.
- A 1% CTC concentration in pelleted diets is likely sufficient to achieve therapeutic blood levels.
- This formulation offers a viable alternative to traditional mash diets for avian medication.