In veterinary practice, we often encounter cases of poultry drug poisoning due to farmers' lack of knowledge about veterinary drug usage and indiscriminate overdosing. Below are toxic doses and side effects of poultry drugs (including banned ones) for reference.

I. Drugs Prone to Cause Poultry Poisoning

• Olaquindox: Single dose >70 mg/kg body weight

• Mequindox: >1 g/kg body weight

• Halofuginone: Sensitive in geese, ducks, and guinea fowl; >9 ppm

• Potassium permanganate: >1‰

• Copper sulfate: >5/10,000

• Maduramicin: >7 ppm

• Furazolidone: Ducks are highly sensitive; >50 ppm

• Streptomycin: >500 mg/kg body weight

• Salt: >5‰ in feed

• Trichlorfon (organophosphate): Oral dose >75 mg/kg (geese are more sensitive)

• Dimetridazole: Waterfowl sensitive; >2/10,000

• Sulfonamides: Chronic overdosing

• Tetramisole: Geese are sensitive

• Salinomycin: Toxic to turkeys

• Monensin: Toxic to Japanese quail

• Dinitolmide: Toxic to pigeons

• Bromochloroketone: Impairs growth
  Note: Some drug combinations increase toxicity.

II. Drugs Affecting Egg Production

Amantadine, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, chloramphenicol, furazolidone, sulfonamides, aminophylline, moroxydine, barbiturates, cholinergics, adrenaline, testosterone, compound norethisterone tablets, and certain vaccines.

III. Drugs Affecting Immunity

Thiamphenicol, chloramphenicol, tetracyclines (chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline), streptomycin, kanamycin, neomycin, disinfectants, certain antiviral drugs, some traditional Chinese herbs, toxins, and contaminants.

Emergency Treatment for Drug Poisoning

1. Sulfonamide Poisoning

Clinical Signs:

• Acute toxicity in all ages (especially chicks) after prolonged use (>7 days)

• Depression, weakness, anorexia, dyspnea, cyanotic comb/wattle, jaundice, anemia

• Rash under wings, dark brown/white feces, egg drop (soft-shelled eggs), mortality

Necropsy Findings:

• Hemorrhages in skin, muscles, and organs

• Enlarged liver (purple/yellow-brown) with necrotic foci

• Swollen kidneys (pale yellow), urate-filled ureters

• Hemorrhagic GI mucosa, splenomegaly with necrosis

Prevention:

• Avoid in chicks <1 month and laying hens

• Strict dosing (≤5 days)

• Use combination sulfonamides (e.g., sulfadoxine-trimethoprim) for lower toxicity

• Choose poorly absorbed sulfonamides (e.g., sulfaguanidine) for gut infections

• Ensure adequate water intake

Treatment:

• Stop drug immediately

• Provide 1–2% sodium bicarbonate water

• Add to feed: Vitamin C (0.2g/kg) + Vitamin K3 (5mg/kg) until recovery

2. Oxytetracycline Poisoning

Clinical Signs:

• Reduced appetite, egg drop

• Diarrhea, leg weakness, pale combs, purple skin, ruffled feathers

• Chicks: stunted growth, lethargy

Necropsy Findings:

• Edema/hemorrhage in proventriculus/duodenum, ulcerated gizzard

• Swollen, friable liver (yellow-brown), congested kidneys

• Chalky deposits on heart/liver/lungs/air sacs

Prevention:

• Dose: 25–50 mg/kg twice daily (≤7 days; allow 2–3-day intervals)

Treatment:

• Discontinue drug

• Offer mung bean broth, licorice water, or 5% glucose solution

3. Maduramicin Poisoning

Clinical Signs:

• Chronic: Reduced intake, green diarrhea, emaciation, red/dry feet, leg paralysis

• Acute: Anorexia, paralysis, mortality

Necropsy Findings:

• Chronic: Muscle hemorrhages; dark red liver/kidneys; intestinal congestion

• Acute: Swollen liver/kidneys (brown); intestinal hemorrhage

Prevention:

• Strict dose: 5 ppm (5g/ton feed)

• Never exceed 6.5 ppm

• Mix feed thoroughly

• Limit use: 7 days on, 3–5 days off for broilers; withdraw 1 week pre-slaughter

Treatment:

• Stop medicated feed

• Water supplementation: 3% glucose + 0.02% Vitamin C

• Severe cases: Oral rehydration via tube (2× daily); recovery in ~5 days