Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th June 2020
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

New treatment to tackle red mite in backyard poultry
The successful Exzolt treatment is now available in a smaller bottle for backyard flocks.
Treatment is administered through drinking water and has a zero-day withdrawal period for eggs.

A new treatment for red mite infestation in backyard poultry has been launched by MSD Animal Health.

The new Exzolt 50ml treatment is described as 'an extremely effective parasiticide for red mite infestation in commercial laying units'. It uses the same formula and active ingredient (fluralaner) as Exzolt but is now available in a smaller dosage bottle for distribution to backyard flocks.

“Many of the effective red mite treatments used in commercial poultry are not available to pet chicken owners which can make it very difficult to protect smaller flocks from severe infestations,” explains Steve Smith, EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Avian Medicine and Surgery. “However, this new presentation of EXZOLT® is now available to help tackle one of the most challenging diseases facing chicken owners.

“The treatment is easily administered through the drinking water, has a zero-day withdrawal period for eggs, and kills red mite at nymph and adult phases of the lifecycle which means it is more likely to clear the infestation, rather than only tackling adult mites.”

EXZOLT® 50ml has a one year broached shelf life, meaning that vets can prescribe treatment for just one chicken upwards. It also focusses on treating the chickens rather than the living environment.

“Using environmental controls can often make it difficult to locate and target all mites in order to get the results you want,” adds Steve. “As EXZOLT® 50ml is proven to have a high level of kill for 15 days post-treatment, control of red mite is likely to be far more effective. This is because it treats the chickens meaning all active feeding parasites are exposed to treatment, whereas environmental controls only provide a superficial level of treatment.”

From Monday 29 June, there will be a series of CPD accredited webinars to support vets who are seeing pet chickens in practice. These will include expert advice on how to spot and treat common poultry diseases, practical advice when carrying out clinical examinations, and the importance of preventive health care.

Vets wishing to find out more, and to register for the webinar series, are urged to contact their local MSD Animal Health UK representative.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."