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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

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.