Avian Medicine: Princilpes and Application

1 His chapter provides an overview of theunique characteristics of various drugsused in Avian species. All suggested druguses are for companion (non-food) birdsonly. Complete reviews of all the drugs discussed inthis book are available through a variety of deskreferences and product information forms providedby the manufacturers. The clinician is referred tothese references for a review of the general pharma-cology and specific contraindications of any drug dis-cussed. The suggestions of the manufacturer shouldalways be followed. A drug should never be used forwhich the clinician is not fully aware of the indica-tions, contraindications and potential side drugs administered concurrently will potenti-ate toxicity, and the clinician should review any po-tential drug interactions before placing a bird onmore than one drug at a time. In this chapter, commonly used drugs and their asso-ciated doses are provided in table form for easy refer-ence.

2 The information concerning the use of thedrugs listed in the table should be reviewed beforeadministering any therapeutic agent . If a drug is notdiscussed, either insufficient data is available to war-rant its use in birds, or it has been used but has doses and material presented for each drug havebeen compiled from numerous reference sources, in-cluding the various chapters in this book. Some of therecommended doses are based on pharmacokineticinformation, and some are based totally on observa-tion. An asterisk in the formulary table indicates thatthe suggested dose is based on pharmacologic dataobtained in some species of birds other than on any adverse drug reactions should be for-warded to the Journal of the Association of AvianVeterinarians to keep colleagues informed of anyproblems that occur with commonly used therapeuticagents. Representative manufacturers listed in theformulary are for reference purposes only.

3 Othermanufacturers may produce similar products ofequal W. RitchieGreg J. HarrisonACETYLCYSTEINE - Mucomyst (Apothecon)Neonates treated with nebulized Mucomyst developed dyspnea,lethargy, edema of the eyelids and tachycardia 20 minutes ACID - Aspirin (Butler; Vedco)Available as tablets (5 or 60 grain) for oral administration. Alsoavailable as grain orange-flavored chewable tablets. May beeffective as an analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agentin some Avian species. May be indicated to prevent clot formationand embolisms secondary to egg-related peritonitis, granuloma-tous diseases and shock. Uricosuric at low doses and may beeffective in some cases of acute and chronic gout. A five grain tabletcan be mixed in 30 ml of diluent and administered at a dose of , TID (or 1 tablet per pint of drinking water).(ACTH) ADRENAL CORTICOTROPIC HORMONE -(Vedco; Phoenix; Butler)Available as an injectable solution (40 or 80 units/ml) for IMadministration.

4 Used to test stimulation of the adrenal glands insuspected cases of adrenal insufficiency. Glucocorticoid admini-stration may falsely elevate endogenous cortisol levels. Prolongedadministration induces adrenal gland CHARCOAL, KAOLIN - Toxiban (Vet-A-Mix)Available as a suspension (104 mg/ml activated charcoal and kaolin) for oral administration. Can be used to absorb someingested toxins (many insecticides, pesticides, lead, mercury, inor-ganic arsenic and chemotherapeutic agents ) from the gastrointes-tinal tract. High therapeutic index. Can be mixed with sodiumsulfate in cases of heavy metal ingestion to form lead complexesthat are not absorbed. Sodium sulfate can cause osmotic diarrheaand should be used with extreme caution in birds that weigh lessthan one kg. Can be mixed with hemicellulose to function as a bulklaxative and aid in the passage of ingested - Zovirax (Burroughs Wellcome)Available as a soluble powder (50 mg/ml when reconstituted) for IVadministration and as a capsule (200 mg), tablet (200 mg) orsuspension (40 mg/ml) for oral administration.

5 Has been shown tobe effective in decreasing mortality associated with flock outbreaksof Pacheco s disease virus. Appears to be most effective if treat-ment is initiated in an individual bird before clinical signs is preferentially absorbed by herpesvirus-infected cellsand primarily inhibits herpesvirus DNA polymerase. Acyclovir iseffective in preventing herpesvirus replication in only thosestrains of herpesvirus that code for their own DNA also has varying effects on different strains of suscepti-ble herpesviruses. Low level of effect on uninfected host cellsresults in a high therapeutic index. It has been suggested fortreatment of poxvirus, but there is no conclusive evidence tosupport its injectable product may cause severe muscle necrosis if admin-istered IM and may cause phlebitis (common) and neurologic signs(rare) when administered IV.

6 Oral administration may cause vom-iting. Acyclovir has been shown to interfere with spermatogenesisand is mutagenic when administered at high doses in some excellent solvent for many drugs as well as a popular skindisinfectant. Bactericidal for most common pathogenic bacteriawith variable activity for viruses and fungi. Will cause a dramaticdecrease in core body temperature when applied to large areas ofthe skin as a presurgical dressing. Consumption of alcoholic bev-erages or absorption of ethanol through open wounds can result inlethargy, incoordination and regurgitation in most Avian - Zyloprim (Burroughs Wellcome)Available as a tablet (100 or 300 mg) for oral administration. Usedfor the treatment of gout. Well absorbed from the gastrointestinaltract. Functions to inhibit purine catabolism, which prevents theproduction of uric acid. A 100 mg tablet can be crushed anddissolved in 10 ml of sterile water.

7 Up to 1 ml of the dilutedsuspension may be added to 30 ml of drinking water. A freshsolution of drinking water should be provided several times perday. A reduction in serum and urinary uric acid levels should benoted within two to three days of administration. Birds being treated with allopurinol should be thoroughly hy-drated at all times. It has been found to cause gout in Red-tailedHawks, and may cause a skin rash, urticarial lesions or birds with severe gout, the initial dose should be 25% of therecommended dose, with a gradual increase over several be used in conjunction with colchicine in severe cases VERA - George s Aloe Vera (Warren Laboratories)Available as a lotion or for topical Application on pruritic lesions oras a liquid for oral administration. Solution for treating pruriticskin lesions is made by mixing oz of aloe vera oral liquid with1 tsp of Penetran, 2 drops of Woolite and 1 pint of SULFATE - Amiglyde (Aveco); Amikin (Bristol Labs)Available as injectable solutions (50 mg/ml and 250 mg/ml) for IMor SC administration.

8 Limited activity against gram-positive or-ganisms. Should be used only in birds when absolutely necessaryto treat gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas, Klebsiella spp.)that are resistant to other, less toxic antibiotics. Very effectivewhen used in combination with synthetic should be thoroughly hydrated throughout the treatmentperiod to decrease the possibility of nephrotoxicity. Use in conjunc-tion with furosemide may potentiate renal damage. Toxic effects ofaminoglycosides may be potentiated when used in combinationwith cephalosporins (see Chapter 17).AMINOPENTAMIDE HYDROGEN SULFATE - Centrine (Aveco)Available as an injectable solution mg/ml for SC or IM admini-stration for controlling - (Essex; Schering Corporation)Has been used to induce molt in raptors. Should induce completemolt within 2 months of HCL - Elavil (Stuart); Endep (Roche)Available as a tablet (10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 mg) for oral admini-stration or as an injectable solution (10 mg/ml) for IM administra-tion.

9 Tricyclic antidepressant with a sedative effect that has beensuggested for use in some cases of feather picking. Appears to berarely effective. Should not be used in conjunction withmonoamine oxidase inhibitors. May cause depression, arrhyth-mias, tachycardia, vomiting or muscle SOLUTION - Penetran (Trans Dermal Technologies)Available as an ointment for topical Application . Used as a topicalanalgesic or antipuritic (see Aloe Vera).AMOXICILLIN - Amoxi-drops, Amoxi-Inject (SmithKline)Available as a suspension (50 mg/ml, Amoxi-drops) for oral admini-stration or as an injectable solution (250 mg/ml, Amoxi-Inject) forIM administration. Palatable and easy to administer but rarelyeffective against the bacterial organisms that affect birds. Ab-sorbed from the gut more effectively than ampicillin, resulting inhigher blood levels than are achieved with oral ampicillin.

10 Inject-able solution stable one year after reconstitution if suspension stable for 14 days if refrigerated (see Chapter 17).SECTION THREE TREATMENT REGIMENS458 AMPHOTERICIN B - Fungizone (Squibb)Available as an injectable solution (5 mg/ml) for slow (over severalhours) IV administration. Functions by binding to sterols in themembrane of fungi, causing alterations in permeability. Rapidadministration may cause arrhythmias and death. Can also begiven intratracheally. Has been suggested to be effective if admin-istered SC, but efficacy is unknown. Can be nebulized in conjunc-tion with systemic flucytosine or ketoconazole therapy for fungalinfections in the upper respiratory tract. Intratracheal or intra-airsac administration does not result in systemic absorption and iseffective only against aspergillosis localized to the site of be effective in treating megabacteria.