Good afternoon, experienced and novice poultry farmers. How is methylene blue used for laying hens, chickens and broilers? Advantages and nuances of using methylene blue in the treatment and prevention of ailments of chickens and other poultry.
It's hard to believe, but the strategy to combat many chicken pathologies is based on the use of methylene blue, also called iodine blue. We are talking about an antiseptic that is used to treat injuries and treat viral, fungal and bacterial ailments.
Let's get acquainted with the drug.
Mechanism of action
Blue helps destroy pathogenic organisms and disinfects surfaces. When administered internally, it has a negative effect on pathogenic flora in the gastrointestinal tract and is widely used for poisoning. Another remedy relieves mild pain. It can be compared with brilliant green, but their mechanism of action is different. Blue iodine stimulates the thyroid gland, which performs the function of protection against harmful microorganisms. When chickens lack this substance, organ dysfunction occurs, which can lead to a decrease in immunity.
The product is poorly soluble in water and alcohol, after penetration into the bacterial body it causes cell dysfunction and the body dies. The medicine is quickly eliminated from the tissues of chickens, which practically eliminates the development of side effects.
How the drug works
Basics
Methylene blue is widely used in veterinary medicine to treat chickens.
The drug helps with a large number of diseases if used in combination with other medications.
Outdoor use
When it comes into contact with an infected area on a chicken carcass, the drug interacts with harmful cells. As a result, organic compounds appear, under the influence of which the cells die after a short time.
Thus, the powder eliminates pathogenic microbes and disinfects the treated area of skin. Therefore, methylene blue is often used by veterinarians for antiseptic procedures.
Internal use
Methylene blue is also suitable for internal use by feeding chickens.
When it enters the body, the drug interacts with the pathogenic flora of the digestive system. Therefore, it can be given to chickens for poisoning. The medicine quickly relieves discomfort during intoxication.
When the drug enters the body, it interacts with pathogenic bacteria and quickly destroys them. The drug is absolutely safe for the health of poultry. It is quickly eliminated from the body, so it has time to destroy pathogenic cells, but does not harm the chicken.
An alcohol solution of methylene blue cannot be used internally. The consequences can be irreversible for the health of the chicken.
In its functions, methylene blue is similar to iodine, because it helps the thyroid gland fulfill its main task - to protect the body from pathogenic microorganisms.
How to use, optimal doses
Methylene blue is used externally and internally. Depending on the method of application, a specific dosage is established.
- Outdoor use. For external use, apply blue to pre-cleaned affected areas of the body of an animal or bird. During application, it is important to cover a small area of adjacent healthy tissue. Use a 1-3% alcohol solution of bluing and cotton pads. For urethral infections, take a 0.02% aqueous mixture to rinse the cavities. Methylene blue powder is diluted with water at a ratio of 1:5000. The throat is sanitized using the same method.
- Using blue iodine internally. When birds have coccidiosis, methylene blue is administered orally, diluted in water at a ratio of 1:1. The duration of therapy is 1 week. Young individuals up to 1 month old need 0.5 milliliters 3 times daily. Adult chickens are given 1 milliliter 3 times a day. When it comes to pullorosis, chickens are given half a milliliter of blue. The product is diluted with clean water and given 3 times a day. The duration of the treatment course lasts 10 days-++. In case of poisoning, chickens are injected into the axillary vein with a 1% solution based on a 15% glucose solution. Methylene blue is usually used as an adjunct to primary therapy. As a mono drug, the product is not suitable.
Blue is widely used as a prophylactic agent to increase the protective functions of the body of chickens. It is given 0.3-0.5 ml once a day .
General information about the medicine
Where to buy and release form
Methylene blue is sold in almost any pharmacy at an affordable price: from 25 to 50 rubles. It can be purchased without a doctor's prescription.
You can find analogues of the drug, differing in the presence of additional components in the composition: methylene blue, methylene blue, methylthioninium chloride.
The drug is produced in three forms. A 1% alcohol solution is sold, available in 10 ml bottles, powder for making the solution in small 10 g jars. There are also ampoules with methylene blue in glucose solution (20 ml, 50 ml).
Peculiarities
The drug has good solubility. It can be easily diluted in water. It is more difficult to dissolve the powder in alcohol. It will be problematic to prepare such a drug on your own.
When using the medicine, you need to consider the expiration date. The solutions are suitable for use for no more than 3 years from the date of manufacture. There are no restrictions on the use of the powder. It retains its properties if storage rules are observed.
The medicine should be kept in a container with a closed lid in a dry, dark place. Permissible temperature is 15-25 degrees.
Compound
Methylene blue is a dark green powder or crystals.
The product in the ampoule or solution has a blue tint.
In an alcohol solution, its concentration is 100 mg per 10 ml of base.
What is blue iodine used for?
The scope of application of methylene blue is wide. Indications include:
- disinfection of premises;
- treatment of skin lesions;
- resistance to poisoning;
- treatment of fungal infections;
- elimination of skin parasitic microorganisms;
- relief of pain;
- increased exposure to antimalarials;
- for treating affected areas for genitourinary infections.
On affected tissues, the product creates a protective film.
How is the drug useful for chickens, what does it help with?
Treatment of chickens with methylene blue is used in the following cases:
- skin injuries - eczema, ulcers, burns, wounds;
- poisoning and intoxication of the body;
- fungal diseases;
- skin parasites;
- genitourinary infections.
The product helps to normalize blood pressure, improve immunity, increasing the body's resistance to pathogens. The drug is used as a painkiller.
Additional Information! There is an opinion that methylene blue is the same as brilliant green. But that's not true. Blue has a wider range of indications and effects; it has a gentler effect on the body. Therefore, it will not be possible to replace methylene blue with brilliant green.
Methods for preparing methylene blue
The product can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently. To make it at home, use the recipes below. The first instructions were created by Dr. V. Mokhnach. The second method is less popular, but makes it possible to obtain iodine, which dissolves better and does not irritate the epithelium.
- Recipe 1. You will need 200 ml of water, 1 tbsp. starch, 1 tsp. citric acid, 5% iodine in the amount of 1 dessert spoon. Take 100 ml of warm liquid, add starch and sugar to it. The components are mixed until the mass becomes homogeneous, without lumps. Pour citric acid into it and pour in another 100 ml of water. The mixture is placed on the stove and brought to a boil. It should turn out to be jelly. It needs to be cooled, pharmaceutical iodine poured in, and stirred. The liquid should turn blue. It is poured into a bottle and capped tightly. When interacting with the medicine, observe safety precautions, since it is difficult to wash away. Homemade blue can be stored for 3-4 months. When the composition begins to lose its blue tint, it loses its healing qualities.
- Recipe 2. Take 250 ml of water, 1 tbsp. starch, 5% iodine in the amount of 1 tsp. Pour 50 ml of warm water, starch, pharmaceutical iodine into a small saucepan, stir. Add 200 ml of boiling water to the mixture in a small stream, without ceasing to stir. The result is a paste-like solution. Let cool, pour into a bottle, and seal. Store prepared blue for 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
If you do not follow the proportions, the effectiveness of the product decreases.
Contraindications and side effects
When used externally, blue rarely causes unwanted reactions. The most common effects: skin irritation, itching, burning. When treating the oral cavity with an alcohol solution, burns are possible. In such cases, the use of the drug should be abandoned.
Taking methylene blue internally can cause a violent reaction from the body:
- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- colic in the stomach and abdominal cavity;
- impaired diuresis;
- asthenia;
- physical weakness;
- increased sweating.
Subsequently, treatment with the drug may deteriorate the absorption of food and the absorption of some microelements from it. The development of anemia and exacerbation of gastritis are likely.
Methylene blue is contraindicated in children under 1 year of age. Internal use is prohibited during pregnancy and lactation. It is also necessary to avoid use in case of allergic reactions.
How to preserve methylene blue, expiration date
Blue bought at a pharmacy does not have a shelf life, provided that the storage conditions are met. Solutions with water or alcohol are suitable for 3 years from the date of issue. After opening, the period of suitability is shortened. The jars should be stored tightly closed, at low humidity and air temperature +15-25. If the blue spills on furniture or clothes, it cannot be washed off.
Methylene blue checker
Iodine checkers are widely used in the treatment and prevention of pathological conditions in birds. They are purchased at the pharmacy; they have high permeability. Checkers are used for the following purposes:
- disinfect the chicken coop;
- prevent outbreaks of epidemics;
- implement therapy during outbreaks of infections.
Blue checker
What is it used for?
Methylene blue checkers are used in therapy and prevention of infectious and viral diseases. Checker is a cylinder-shaped tablet consisting of crystalline methylene blue and auxiliary components.
These products are usually used to disinfect a chicken coop during an outbreak of infection or for preventive purposes if one individual is sick.
The fumes from the checker are harmless to the body of poultry. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the chickens from the premises during the procedure.
How to use
Instructions for use are simple. The checker must be placed in the center of the chicken coop on a flat surface. It must be non-flammable so that a fire does not start in the room. You can use iron sheet or brick.
Carefully light the checker and step aside. After a few seconds, it will begin to release blue-violet vapors that disinfect the room. The checker burns for less than a minute, so the chickens will not have time to suspect something is wrong and start to worry.
Nuances
There are a few things to consider when using a methylene blue checker.
Its effect will be most effective if it is set on fire every two days until all the chickens are completely cured.
If you divide a checker into parts, the concentration of components in the checker will be less than normal. Therefore, it will be possible to carry out disinfection daily. But in this case, you need to take a break every three days.
When setting a fire in a chicken coop, all doors and windows must be tightly closed to prevent fresh air from entering. This will help increase the concentration of vapors in the room.
If it is possible to move all the chickens to another place for the day, you can increase the efficiency of using the checker. To do this, you need to take several tablets and set them on fire for three hours.
Then the chicken coop is thoroughly ventilated, and all feeders and equipment are washed with water. After this, the chickens can be released back.
Indications for use
External use Methylene blue is effective for pyoderma, burns, folliculitis, and other skin diseases.
You can use the product for washing the affected cavities for urethritis and cystitis.
You can also take Methylene blue solution orally for urethritis, cystitis, and other inflammations of the urinary tract.
The drug is administered intravenously for poisoning.
Also, the instructions for Methylene Blue indicate that it can be used to diagnose renal function - due to the fact that after internal use of the drug, urine turns blue.
Indications and features
Methylene blue does not irritate the skin or mucous membranes, but has a quick and long-lasting effect on the site of infection. According to the instructions for use, the drug is recommended for:
- rheumatism in horses and cattle;
- diarrhea of infectious nature in goats and sheep;
- fungal infections in aquarium fish;
- any infectious diseases in poultry.
Veterinarians praise the effectiveness of methylene blue. It is considered the most effective in its group of drugs. Methylene blue quickly dries wet wounds and speeds up their healing. It is completely safe.
The only downsides people note are the specific smell and strong soiling of the product. Despite all the positive aspects, methylene blue should be dosed exactly according to the instructions for use. Exceeding the norm when taken internally is fraught with rejection in the form of vomiting and abdominal pain. Animals may also develop swelling.
Attention! Dry powder is stored indefinitely in a dry place, liquid preparations - 3 years.
Instructions for use
For external use, Methylene Blue is used in the form of an alcohol solution of 1-3%. Treat the affected (pre-cleaned) areas using a cotton swab. Apply the solution to both damaged and adjacent healthy tissue.
For rinsing with cystitis and urethritis, use an aqueous 0.02% solution (the powder is diluted in a ratio of 1:5000)
Adults take methylene blue orally, according to the instructions, 0.1 g three or four times a day.
Children also take the solution three or four times a day, but the required amount of the drug is calculated based on the child’s age: 0.005-0.01 g for one year.
How to use the product
It is important
Methylene blue powder can be used internally and externally to treat chicken diseases. In the first case, it is added to water, and in the second, the skin is treated or injections are given. The method of administration and dosage depend on the disease.
Before using the drug, be sure to consult a veterinarian. If your chicken requires injections, it is best to leave it to a specialist. A frightened bird will be nervous and break free, so you can harm it.
Skin damage
If there are wounds or scratches on the chicken carcass, they need to be washed with an alcohol solution of the product. It plays the role of an antiseptic and effectively disinfects the damaged area.
Soak a clean piece of bandage or cotton pad in the medicine and gently clean the wound. The procedure is carried out in the morning and evening.
Burns
The product also helps with burns. They are treated with an aqueous solution of methylene blue three times a day until the chicken’s skin is completely restored.
Inflammation
When a bird catches an infection, an inflammatory process may begin in its body. In this case, the drug is used orally.
It is necessary to prepare a solution for drinking. To do this, 1 g of powder is diluted in 5 liters of clean water. Under no circumstances should the dosage of the drug be changed, otherwise the chickens may be poisoned.
The resulting solution is given to the birds every day instead of water, drinking them until complete recovery.
Poisoning
Methylene blue saves chickens from poisoning with chemicals and poisons. In this case, injections are made with a solution of the drug in glucose.
The consumption of medicine is not high. For one kilogram of bird weight, 0.2 ml of product is needed. If an individual is seriously poisoned and feels very ill, you can increase the dosage to 0.5 ml. But the decision is made only by the doctor, focusing on the health of the chicken.
Bursitis
Using the blue remedy, you can treat infectious bursitis in chickens. It is otherwise called gumboro disease. The bird is injected subcutaneously with a 2% solution of the product.
Complete information on the pathology can be found in the article “Symptoms and Treatment of Gumboro Disease in Chickens.”
Coccidiosis
This is an infectious disease that quickly spreads throughout the herd. Therefore, all chickens must be fed with the drug. It is diluted in water in a ratio of 1:5000.
During treatment, ordinary water is removed from the chicken coop. Therapy lasts until the symptoms of coccidiosis disappear. On average, a week.
Other methods of therapy can be found in the article “Symptoms and treatment of coccidiosis in chickens.”
Reduced immunity
The drug is used to strengthen chicken immunity. During the cold season, the body does not always cope with diseases. Especially if he lacks vitamins.
Once a day, the chicken is given approximately 0.4 ml of the product. The course is two weeks.
Infectious diseases
If a chicken has caught a gastrointestinal tract infection, treatment consists of drinking water with blue powder. It is added to water in a ratio of 1:5000.
For infections of the genitourinary system, enemas are done with a 0.2% aqueous solution of the drug. To prepare it, 2 g of powder is mixed with 0.1 l of water. Treatment continues until the chicken recovers completely.
Vitamin deficiency and other pathologies
If a chicken gets sick due to vitamin deficiency, it is given water for 5-7 days.
Soldering is the most convenient method of treatment. Chickens calmly drink healing water because it tastes almost no different from regular water.
Veterinarians usually recommend giving water with methylene blue for laryngotracheitis, streptococcosis, smallpox, ornithosis, omphalitis, colibacillosis, mycoplasmosis, pasteurellosis, aspergillosis, ascariasis.
You can learn about diseases that develop due to worms and methods of their treatment from the article “Symptoms and treatment of worms in chickens.”
