Effect of including lasalocid or monensin singly or in combination with furazolidone on the growth and feed consumption of turkey poults

Lasalocid and monensin are widely used to control coccidiosis in broilers, but not in turkey poults. Four feeding trials were conducted to determine the performance of turkey poults when these compounds were used singly or in combination with 100 ppm of furazolidone. Bodyweights and feed consumption were significantly depressed for five weeks after hatching by 150 ppm of lasalocid. Combining furazolidone with lasalocid ameliorated the toxic effect of lasalocid. Bodyweights were significantly depressed by 150 ppm of monensin in the fifth week after hatching, but there was no significant depression in feed consumption. Furazolidone exacerbated any toxic effects of monensin. Data indicate that monensin may be used safely at dosages greater than the recommended level of 60 to 99 ppm, but should not be used in combination with furazolidone.     

Incompatibility between lasalocid and chloramphenicol in broiler chicks after a long-term simultaneous administration

Two growth experiments were conducted to evaluate in broiler chicks the compatibility between lasalocid medication in the feed (at 90 or 125 ppm) and a long-term administration of chloramphenicol either via the feed (500 ppm) or via the drinking water (500 mg/liter).The simultaneous administration of lasalocid and chloramphenicol generally caused severe growth depression, decreased feed intake and impaired feed conversion. Several chicks showed evident symptoms of intoxication, such as ataxia, leg weakness and paralysis. The development and frequency of these symptoms were dependent on the dosage of lasalocid and on the duration of the simultaneous administration.Biochemical examinations (Experiment 2) revealed in the affected chicks significant changes in several parameters, in particular a markedly increased activity of creatine kinase and GOT in the plasma. It confirmed that the observed leg weakness and paralysis were caused by myodegeneration.     

The effect of tiamulin administered by different routes and at different ages to turkeys receiving monensin in their feed

Healthy turkeys receiving 80 ppm monensin in their feed were injected at 26, 40 and 61 days of age with tiamulin at dosages of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg body weight. The aim of the study was to develop a regime for medicating with tiamulin turkeys receiving monensin in their feed, and which would circumvent the known toxicity created by the simultaneous administration of the two drugs. One injection of 12.5 mg/kg tiamulin up to the age of 61 days or 2 injections of 12.5 mg/kg tiamulin up to 40 days of age caused no mortality or adverse reaction.     

Long-term supplementation of lasalocid-sodium for beef bulls during grazing and subsequent finishing period

117 white-red beef bulls were involved to investigate the effect of lasalocid-sodium when fed either during the grazing period, or the finishing period, or during both subsequent periods. The ionophore was fed at 250 mg daily per head incorporated in 1 kg dry sugar beet pulp on pasture and at 65 mg per kg concentrate afterwards (corresponding with 27 ppm in the ration DM). The finishing diet consisted of maize silage ad libitum and 0.75 kg concentrate per 100 kg liveweight per day. On pasture lasalocid significantly increased daily gain form 0.6 to more than 0.7 kg, without affecting the grazed area per animal. During the finishing period growth rate was only slightly affected by lasalocid, but feed intake was reduced (P less than 0.05) and feed conversion improved (P less than 0.05). Feeding lasalocid permanently for more than 400 days did not reduce these positive effects. Cumulative daily gain, total feed intake per head and feed conversion were 1.12 kg, 2176 kg dry matter (DM) and 4.70 kg DM. These figures amounted to 1.05 kg, 2283 kg DM and 5.16 kg DM when no lasalocid was fed; 1.06 kg, 2141 kg DM and 4.87 kg DM when lasalocid was only fed during the finishing period and 1.09 kg, 2246 DM and 4.99 kg DM when lasalocid was only fed during the grazing period. Daily gains of 1.05 and 1.06 kg were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than 1.12 kg. Most carcass data were unaffected, except fatness. The permanent feeding of lasalocid increased carcass fatness, mainly as the result of a higher final weight.     

Studies on the stage of action of lasalocid against Eimeria tenella and Eimeria acervulina in the chicken

Broiler chickens in battery pens were either fed a diet containing 100 ppm lasalocid or no drug for 24 h prior to inoculation with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella or Eimeria acervulina. Different groups of birds remained on medicated feed for 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 or 144 h after inoculation. Conversely, other groups started on an unmedicated diet, were given medicated feed at different times after oocyst inoculation. Starting lasalocid medication 24 h (E. tenella) or 48 h (E. acervulina) after inoculation reduced the lesions and improved the weight gain. There was no significant difference in performance of birds after withdrawal of the drug at 48 h (E. tenella) or 72 h (E. acervulina) and thereafter. Starting lasalocid medication at 96 or 120 h did not suppress but rather reduced oocyst production.     

The efficacy of anticoccidial products against Eimeria spp. in northern bobwhites

To determine whether chemotherapeutic compounds available for use in domestic poultry are effective at controlling coccidiosis in northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), we tested 13 chemotherapeutic anticoccidials including amprolium (250 parts per million [ppm]), clopidol (125 ppm), diclazuril (1 ppm and 2 ppm), decoquinate (30 ppm), lasalocid (120 ppm), monensin (90 ppm), narasin/nicarbazin (36/36 ppm), robenidine (33 ppm), roxarsone (50 ppm), sulfadimethoxine/ ormetoprin (125/75 ppm), salinomycin (60 ppm), semduramicin (25 ppm), and zoalene (125 ppm and 150 ppm). Three tests were conducted using two replicates of 10 birds each: Infected, unmedicated controls and medicated birds were challenged with 1 x 10(6) oocysts of a field isolate consisting primarily of Eimeria lettyae. Subsequently, we tested clopidol, lasalocid, salinomycin, diclazuril (1 ppm), and monensin against mixed-species field isolates containing E. lettyae, E. dispersa, E. colini, or all. Weight gain, gross intestinal lesions, severity of diarrhea, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) 6 days postinfection were recorded. Lesion score, as previously reported, was unreliable as a measure of severity of infection in comparison with weight gain, fecal scores, and FCR. Excellent to good efficacy was found in clopidol, decoquinate, diclazuril (1 ppm and 2 ppm), and in lasalocid, narasin and nicarbazin, robenidine, sulfadimethoxine/ormetoprin, and zoalene (150 ppm). Marginal protection was found using monensin, salinomycin, semduramicin, or a roxarsone/semduramicin combination. Amprolium, roxarsone, and zoalene (125 ppm) were ineffective at controlling coccidia. Two of the six isolates tested against diclazuril 1 ppm and clopidol demonstrated a high degree of resistance, but none of the six isolates was resistant to lasalocid. Four of the eight isolates showed mild to moderate, and moderate to high, resistance against monensin and salinomycin, respectively. These findings indicate that several available compounds are effective at controlling coccidiosis in bobwhites.     

Effect of lasalocid sodium and molasses on performance of fattening lambs and on rumen liquor and blood parameters

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of sugar beet molasses (0, 8 and 16%) with or without lasalocid sodium (33 ppm) on rumen liquor and blood parameters of sheep, and on fattening reared Karagouniko breed lambs. In Expt. 1 six adult Karagouniko fistulated wethers were fed six different pelleted diets. The results showed that lasalocid decreased (P less than 0.01) total VFAs concentration in the rumen (7.1%) by reducing (P less than 0.001) acetic, n-butyric and iso-valeric acids while increased (P less than 0.001) propionic acid concentrations. The same trends were observed in molar proportions of the individual VFAs. The total VFAs production was also depressed by 13.75% when molasses were used at the level of 16%. No interaction among the main treatments was observed with the exception of L X M with 16% molasses where the propionic acid concentration decreased, and those of butyric and iso-valeric acids increased. Lasalocid did not alter the mean values of rumen liquor pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration while molasses increased the later parameter. No significant differences on dietary protein degradability were observed among treatments. Lasalocid reduced the beta-HBA concentration by 13% in the blood while molasses increased it (P less than 0.001). Free fatty acids' concentration was decreased by the molasses inclusion to the diets, while lasalocid didn't alter blood glucose concentration. Finally, the number of protozoa in the rumen liquor was reduced by 49 and 70% at 0 and 5 hours post feeding respectively with the addition of lasalocid to the diets, regardless of the use of molasses. In Expt. 2 utilized 86 weaned male Karagouniko fattening lambs, with initial mean LW 13 kg, for 60 days. They were assigned to six groups and fed ad libitum with diets of the same composition as in Exp 1. Lasalocid increased the growth rate by 8.6%, reduced feed consumption by 4.8% (P less than 0.005) and improved feed conversion by 11.8%. Molasses also improved growth rate by 16-34% and increased feed consumption by 15-22%. The interaction of L X M to feed consumption was significant (P less than 0.001). None of the treatments had an effect on carcass characteristics. Finally lasalocid showed its positive action when it was used in combination with molasses in ruminants' diets.     

Efficacy of diclazuril against turkey coccidiosis in a floor-pen experiment

Diclazuril, a new anticoccidial drug, was tested for its efficacy in turkeys against mixed Eimeria infections. A floor-pen trial indicated that diclazuril at dosages of 0.5 ppm and 1 ppm in the feed was highly effective against the major pathogenic species E. adenoeides, E. gallopavonis, and E. meleagrimitis in suppressing intestinal and cecal lesions and oocyst shedding. Weight gain and feed conversion improved, particularly at 1 ppm.     

Sensitivity of field isolates of Eimeria species to monensin and lasalocid in the chicken

Isolates of Eimeria species obtained from broiler or from breeder farms were compared for their sensitivity to two ionophorous anticoccidial drugs, monensin and lasalocid. All of 25 isolates from broiler farms were resistant to 100 ppm monensin or 90 ppm lasalocid, while 14 of 16 isolates were resistant to monensin and seven of 16 to lasalocid from breeder farms (replacement layer and broiler breeder).     

An outbreak of monensin poisoning in adult turkeys

Monensin, fed in excess of 200 ppm caused mortality in Triple 5 and Triple 6 turkeys aged 25 weeks old and over. Mortality commenced three to four days after administering feed containing monensin and ceased three to five days after it was removed. This concentration of drug did not have any detectable adverse effects on Triple 5 turkeys fed from day old, four weeks old, or 11 weeks old for periods of two weeks.     

Effect of dietary dried oregano leaves on growth performance, carcase characteristics and serum cholesterol of female early maturing turkeys

1. A study was conducted with 120 female early maturing turkeys to test the effect of dietary dried oregano leaves (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) on body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), carcase characteristics and serum cholesterol concentration. Dried oregano leaves had a content of 3.6 ml essential oils/100 g, while the carvacrol content was 855 g/kg of the total essential oils. 2. From 1 to 84 d of age, the turkeys were fed on 4 diets varying in oregano content (OR0, no oregano--control; OR45, 1.25 g oregano/kg; OR90, 2.5 g oregano/kg; OR135, 3.75 g oregano/kg). Birds were given feed and water ad libitum. 3. BW was unaffected by oregano throughout the experiment. FI and FCE were similar among all treatments until 42 d of age. From 43 to 84 d of age and for the overall experimental period, FI decreased linearly in treatment OR135 and FCE increased linearly with dietary oregano content. Body and carcase weights, carcase yield, and the relative weights of the heart and liver were not significantly affected by oregano content. The relative weights of the gizzard and small intestine decreased linearly with oregano content. Serum cholesterol content was similar among all treatments. 4. In the present study, dietary oregano (1.25, 2.5 and 3.75 g/kg) improved FCE in female early maturing turkeys between 43 and 84 d, with the lowest oregano inclusion (1.25 g/kg) giving the most cost effective diet. Thus, dried oregano leaves may be used as a natural herbal growth promoter for early maturing turkeys.     

Performance and ruminal changes of early-weaned calves fed lasalocid

Twenty-two neonatal calves were assigned to a control or lasalocid-fed group and weaned at 3 wk of age. They were fed a prestarter diet from 3 d of age until they consumed 227 g/d and then a mixture of 227 g prestarter daily and starter diet in ad libitum amounts. The lasalocid-fed group received lasalocid in milk at 1 mg/kg body weight daily from 4 to 7 d and at .5 mg/kg body weight daily in milk and medicated prestarter diet (88 mg lasalocid/kg) during the 2nd wk. After 2 wk, lasalocid-fed calves were given medicated prestarter and starter (44 mg lasalocid/kg) diets. Four calves in each group were ruminally cannulated at 3 to 5 d of age, and ruminal contents were obtained at weekly intervals to monitor microbial activity. Rectal fecal samples were collected from all calves and examined for coccidial oocysts. Lasalocid-fed calves had a greater weekly feed intake and weight gain than control calves after 6 wk of age. Total ruminal volatile fatty acid concentrations were higher, but the acetate:propionate ratio was lower in lasalocid-fed calves than in control calves. Total viable anaerobic and amylolytic bacterial counts were higher in lasalocid-fed calves than in control calves. No significant treatment effect was found for ruminal NH3-N concentration or ruminal lasalocid-resistant, lactobacilli, lactate-utilizing, cellulolytic or methanogenic bacterial numbers. No evidence of coccidiosis was detected in either group. In general, lasalocid-fed calves had greater feed intake, weight gain and ruminal microbial activity than the calves fed no lasalocid in the diet.     

Hepatitis, cardiomyopathy and hemodynamics in furazolidone-induced round heart disease of turkeys.

Twenty-five large broad-breasted white turkeys were fed a 22% protein diet supplemented with 500 ppm furazolidone from day 1 to 3.5 weeks of age and the same diet supplemented with 700 ppm furazolidone until 9.5 weeks of age. Following the development of round heart disease as indicated by altered electrocardiograms the 25 turkeys were sacrificed. In the livers of turkeys with biventricular dilatation (72% of cases) there was bile duct hyperlasia, portal fibrosis and intracytoplasmic globules in the hepatocytes. Globules stained pink with hematoxylin-eosin, deep red with PAS and variable with Massons trichrome stains in paraffin-embedded liver sections. Clear intracytoplasmic vacuoles demonstrable in hepatocytes of PAS stained liver sections embedded in paraffin did not stain as lipid in frozen sections but did contain sparse flocculent material in 1 micrometer sections of liver embedded in epoxy resin and stained with toluidine blue. At the subcellular level, the intracytoplasmic globules in hepatocytes were surrounded by a single membrane, contained flocculent material and had enzymatic properties characteristic of lysosomes. Blood pressure, heart rate, dp/dt max, total plasma proteins and plasma trypsin inhibitory capacity of turkeys with round heart disease were lower than corresponding values for control turkeys. Control turkeys did not exhibit the characteristic gross or microscopic lesions of round heart disease.     

Efficacy of diclazuril against Eimeria dispersa in turkeys

Diclazuril, a new anticoccidial drug, was tested for its efficacy against Eimeria dispersa in turkeys. A dose-titration study indicated that diclazuril at dosages of 0.5, 1, and 2 ppm in the feed was highly effective in terms of weight gain and suppression of lesions, abnormal droppings, and oocyst shedding.     

The quality of meat of lambs fed with feeds containing lasalocid.

The aim of the research was to determine the quality of meat of lambs fed with feeds containing lasalocid. It was ascertained that lasalocid added in the quantity of 50 mg per animal and day to the feed during the whole period of fattening considerably increased the protein content in the longest back muscle in lambs. The addition of 50 mg lasalocid to the feed considerably lowered the fat content in the muscle. The muscle of lambs receiving 50 mg of lasalocid had the best water binding capacity and thus was most suitable for the production purposes. Lasalocid influenced significantly and advantageously the intensity of colour of the muscle.     

Chronic effects of moniliformin in broiler and turkeys fed dietary treatments to market age

Floor pen studies were conducted, with broilers from 1 to 7 wk of age and with turkeys from 1 to 14 wk of age, to evaluate the chronic effects of moniliformin (M). Fusarium fujikuroi (M-1214) culture material was added to typical corn-soybean basal diets to supply 0, 25, or 50 mg M/kg diet (broilers) or 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, or 50 mg M/kg diet (turkeys). Compared with controls, chicks fed diets containing 50 mg M/kg consumed more feed, had lower body weight gain, were less efficient in converting feed to body weight gain, and had increased relative heart and proventriculus weights. Chicks fed the diet containing 50 mg M/kg also had significantly higher mortality and decreased mean corpuscular volumes compared with controls. Broilers fed 25 and 50 mg M/kg also had increased serum gamma glutamyltransferase activities. Feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion of turkeys fed dietary M were not affected. At 6 and 14 wk, turkeys fed 25, 37.5, or 50 mg M/kg diet had increased (P < 0.05) relative heart weights when compared with controls. At week 14, turkeys fed diets containing 37.5 or 50 mg M/kg also had increased (P < 0.05) relative liver weights compared with turkeys fed 0, 12.5, or 25 mg M/kg diet. Lesions, observed only in the hearts of broilers and turkeys fed 50 mg M/kg, were loss of cardiomyocyte cross striations, increased cardiomyocyte nuclear size, and an increased number of cardiomyocyte mitotic figures (turkeys only). Results indicate that > or = 37.5 mg M/kg is hepatoxic and > or = 25 mg M/kg is cardiotoxic to turkeys and 50 mg M/kg diet is toxic to broilers fed to market age.     

Efficacy of maduramicin ammonium against coccidiosis in turkeys under laboratory and floor-pen conditions

Experimental infections with field isolates of Eimeria meleagrimitis, E. adenoeides, E. gallopavonis, and E. dispersa in turkey poults were used to test the efficacy of maduramicin ammonium at 2.5-10 ppm in laboratory experiments. Infection with single or mixed species of coccidia reduced the weight gain of unmedicated infected controls and caused 18.1-65% mortality in two experiments. Maduramicin ammonium given at 5-7 ppm prevented mortality, significantly reduced droppings scores and oocyst passage, and improved weight gain to near that of the unmedicated uninfected controls. Maduramicin ammonium was tested at 4-7 ppm in a floor-pen trial lasting 10 weeks. Mortality from coccidiosis averaged 11.9% in unmedicated controls, compared with 0.6% with 4 ppm of maduramicin or no mortality with 5-7 ppm. Average weight gain and feed conversion at 10 weeks were significantly improved over unmedicated infected controls when maduramicin ammonium was given at 5-7 ppm. These results suggest that maduramicin ammonium is highly efficacious against field isolates of Eimeria in turkeys, especially within the range of 5-7 ppm in the feed.     

Salinomycin poisoning in point-of-lay turkeys

Salinomycin poisoning occurred in a flock of 700 point-of-lay turkeys; 400 birds died over 7 days as a result of consuming feed contaminated with 50 ppm salinomycin. No gross lesions were detected. Histologic evidence of a myopathy was most readily detected in leg muscles of turkeys 5 to 7 d after ingesting salinomycin. Feeding trials were undertaken and individual susceptibility to the drug was found to vary greatly. In affected birds the plasma concentrations of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were found to be in the range of 500,000 to 2,500,000 IU/l and 9000 to 25,000 IU/l, respectively. The marked increase in the plasma activities of these enzymes preceded histological evidence of segmental muscle necrosis.     

Influence of dietary electrolyte balance, source of added potassium and anticoccidial agents on the performance of male broilers

1. The performance of 1680 male broiler chickens was measured from one to 42 d of age. They were given diets with three (125, 165 and 205 mEq/kg) electrolyte balances (sodium + potassium - chloride), two sources of added potassium (carbonate or sulphate) and two anticoccidial agents (90 mg/kg of either monensin or lasalocid). 2. The dietary treatments had no significant effects on the growth performance of broiler chickens in the starter phase. 3. In the finisher phase, the chickens given the diets containing lasalocid utilised food less efficiently that those given the diets containing monensin. 4. There were significant interactions between dietary electrolyte balance and source of added potassium on body weight gains and food:gain ratios in the finisher phase. In diets with an electrolyte balance of 205 mEq/kg, the inclusion of potassium sulphate instead of potassium carbonate increased body weight gains by 3.4% and reduced food:gain ratios by 4.6%. 5. The body weight gains of chickens given the finisher diets containing lasalocid and added potassium carbonate were reduced by 2.6% compared to those of chickens given the diets containing monensin or added potassium sulphate. 6. The litter moisture content was higher in pens with chickens on the diets with an electrolyte balance of 205 mEq/kg than on the diets with either 125 or 165 mEq/kg. Both lasalocid and potassium sulphate tended to increase the litter moisture content. 7. It may be concluded that the inclusion of 90 mg/kg of either monensin or lasalocid in broiler diets does not alter the balance of electrolytes required for optimum growth performance of broiler chickens.     

Efficacy evaluation of lasalocid plus roxarsone combination medication with different geographic field strains of Eimeria acervulina

Performance of broiler chickens medicated with lasalocid alone (at 125 ppm) or in combination with roxarsone (at 50 ppm) was evaluated in battery and floorpen trials after challenge with geographically different field strains of coccidia containing predominately the upper intestinal species Eimeria acervulina. No significant difference in bird performance measured at 6 days postinfection (PI) was observed between lasalocid plus roxarsone-medicated (L+RM) or lasalocid-medicated (LM) birds challenged in separate battery trials with mixed-species inocula from Alabama or Georgia containing 92% or 88% E. acervulina, respectively. In contrast, L+RM birds challenged in another battery trial with a Louisiana mixed-species inoculum containing 92% E. acervulina showed significant reduction in average weight gain at 6 days PI compared with LM-challenged birds. A floorpen trial done with the same Louisiana inoculum showed significant reduction in average bird weight gain at 27 and 35 days of age (6 and 14 days PI) for L+RM-challenged birds compared with both unmedicated-nonchallenged (UMNC) control and LM-challenged birds. The LM+R groups were significantly lower in average bird weight at 27 days of age than the unmedicated-challenged controls. Feed conversions (FCs) for L+RM birds were significantly higher than those for the UMNC control birds during time of challenge (21-27 days of age) and for the 1-to-27-day-of-age time period. No significant difference in FC was seen between the UMNC and LM groups. Results of this study showed that performance of broiler birds medicated with lasalocid plus roxarsone could vary for geographically different mixed-species challenge inocula that contained predominately E. acervulina.