Studies on the Chemoprophylactic Action of Furoxone Against Infectious Enterohepatitis (Blackhead) of Turkeys ,

Abstract

ALTHOUGH several drugs possessing chemoprophylactic properties against blackhead already are known to science, others capable of combating this costly scourge of the poultry industry are needed. Particularly desirable at present is the development of alternate drugs that will prevent the malady and at the same time permit optimum growth and performance of birds under treatment.McGregor (1953) in a preliminary report stated that Furoxone exhibited prophylactic activity against blackhead in turkeys. Harwood and Stuntz (1954) reported that Furoxone in a concentration of 0.011% reduced mortality from the disease. These authors added that chickens and turkeys receiving the drug in concentrations of 0.011% to 0.02% showed an increase in growth rate but that when the drug was used in a concentration 0.033%, slight retardation of growth occurred after four weeks of continuous feeding.EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDUREIn conducting these investigations, a total of 246 turkeys was employed in five experiments. In four …