Advice Needed On The Use Of Sulfadimethoxine

[MarcoPollo]

Does anyone know the withdrawal time of Sulfadimethoxine (Albon)? If hens were treated with this product, can their eggs be eaten and how soon after the last treatment?

 

[Percheron chick]

5 days for slaughter. Nothing about layers but the caution is to not use it on pullets over 16 weeks of age. That to me would mean the eggs will never be fit to eat.

 

[MarcoPollo]

5 days for slaughter. Nothing about layers but the caution is to not use it on pullets over 16 weeks of age. That to me would mean the eggs will never be fit to eat.

That's too bad cause Corid was not readily available, and although it has been ordered, I had to give something to my hens cause they were passing blood and turning pale and lethargic from coccidia overload. Only thing available immediately was Albon 5% and I've been giving 15ml/gallon of water for the past 3 days. It was a "compromise" dose, not even the correct strength (not quite half the dose of directions for 12.5% Albon), but I was losing my hens. One turned nearly-white - I'm surprised she is still alive. I cannot believe how difficult Corid is to get. I called 5 feed stores and none of them had anything to treat hens for coccidia, except medicated chick starter feed (should I have used that instead?). I will always keep a stash of Corid on hand from now on. I guess there's no point to discontinuing Albon since I already gave it to them for 3 days now.

There's slight improvement. A couple hens are still pale, but they eat, so I'm not putting any of them down yet.

 

[Percheron chick]

My info came out of a compendium. It never addressed the fitness of the eggs after medicating the hens just not to give it after 16 weeks. If more information is not included with the packaging, I'd call up the drug company or look on their website for more. The curious part is why is it OK only up to 16 weeks? They are born with all their ova so if the medication becomes part of it, it would happen no matter when you give it. At a minimum you toss the eggs for now.

 

[MarcoPollo]

I'm gonna email the drug company. Thanks for replying.

 

[MarcoPollo]

I contacted the manufacturer of Albon. Basically there is not any specific data on the residual levels of sulfadimethoxine in eggs. Very interesting to know that hens are born with all their ova. Not sure what to make of this. What exactly happens after 16 weeks of age that makes the drug no longer safe to give to egg-laying hens?

 

[Percheron chick]

As are the females of all species...

How can they not have follow up studies on the drug when they make those statements about use in older hens?

As long as you don't have a sensitivity to sulfa drugs, there shouldn't be a problem. Sulthadimethoxine is used in human treatment of infections so it's not going to kill you. It is a folic acid (B9) inhibitor so I might be tempted to add some to the layer feed (you can find horse vitamin supplements in a powdered form).

Guess that means you girls made it.

 

[newhobbie]

I know own this is an old thread but I ran across it and wanted to add that my vet prescribed this drug to my flock yesterday. Although it's an off lable use its safe to give to adult birds. The egg withdrawal is 21 days.

 

[Larry6]

Hi newhobbie. How old were your chicks when you gave them the Sulfadimethoxine? Our chicks are 6 months old now, and we haven't eaten an egg yet We gave them Sulfadimethoxine when they were 16 weeks old (for 5 days) and I can't find anyone to tell me it's safe to eat them! Everything I am reading is saying not to because you may develop a sulfur allergy or the meds stay in their systems and people with a sulfur allergy shouldn't eat them? It's ridiculous throwing out all these eggs daily. It was nice to come upon your post..... Was it your chicken vet that told you it was okay? Thank you so much!

 

[newhobbie]

Hello, my flock was mixed ages, from 2 months to 3 years old. We eat the eggs as well as give them to family. Yes the vet I went to told me it was ok and sold me the meds. He knew my flock was mixed ages and knows that we eat the eggs. He just said to toss the eggs for 21 days but then we could start eating them again. Hope this helps!