Comparative Efficacy of Enrofloxacin and Oxytetracycline by Different Administration Methods in Broilers after Experimental Infection with Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Keywords:
avian pathogenic E. coli, broilers, drug administration, enrofloxacin, oxytetracyclineAbstract
The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy of 2 kinds of antibiotics that are commonly used in the Thai broiler industry and to determine the optimal times of drug administration. One hundred and sixty, 21-day-old broilers were divided into eight groups. Chickens in groups 1, 2 and 3 were challenged with avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and received oxytetracycline for the first 3 days after infection via oral, drinking water within 2 h and drinking water throughout the day, respectively. The chickens in groups 4, 5 and 6 were challenged with APEC and received enrofloxacin for the first 3 days after infection via oral, drinking water within 2 h and drinking water throughout the day, respectively. The chickens in group 7 and 8 served as positive and negative control groups. Enrofloxacin treated chickens showed better results in feed conversion ratio, mortality, gross pathology and bacterial isolation than those treated with oxytetracycline (p<0.05). Infections of chickens with APEC can be treated with the enrofloxacin. Oral administration provided a better protection than drinking water within 2 h and drinking water throughout the day, respectively.