Administration of doxycycline in drinking water for treatment of spiral bacterial infection in cockatiels.
OBJECTIVE
To determine efficacy of providing drinking water medicated with doxycycline for treatment of spiral bacterial infection in cockatiels.


METHODS
Randomized controlled clinical trial. Animals-18 cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) naturally infected with spiral bacteria.


METHODS
Spiral bacterial infection was diagnosed by means of cytologic examination of swab specimens from the choana and oropharynx. Eleven birds (treatment group) were given drinking water to which doxycycline hyclate had been added at a concentration of 400 mg/L for 30 days; the remaining 7 birds (control group) were given unmedicated water. After completion of the study, 6 control birds were treated with drinking water medicated with doxycycline for 21 days.


RESULTS
Daily mean plasma doxycycline concentration for birds in the treatment group ranged from 2.26 to 2.86 Mg/mL (overall range, 0.83 to 4.34 Mg/mL). All treated birds were negative for spiral bacteria after treatment for 21 days and remained negative when examined 160 days after treatment ended. Control birds remained positive for spiral bacteria. Control birds treated with doxycycline after completion of the study were negative for spiral bacteria after treatment for 21 days and 30 days after treatment ended. No clinically important adverse effects were associated with treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that providing drinking water to which doxycycline had been added at a concentration of 400 mg/L was effective in eliminating spiral bacterial infections in cockatiels.
Evans
Erika E
EE
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
Wade
Laura L
LL
Flammer
Keven
K
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D046410:Cockatoos; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014867:Water; D004318:Doxycycline