Med question

Draxin is a long lasting antibiotic so you wouldn't give him more for 30 days. What is wrong? Did you dart him? We've had several bucks lately with velvet issues and maggots - just like what happened to Sudden Impact. You can't always notice it right away, but if you start stripping away the velvet you will see maggots underneath. The quicker you get that velvet off, or saw the antlers, and get the antibiotic in them the better. They can go downhill very quickly.

We'd be interested to see what your vet says as well.

We've given as much as 3-4 cc's and follow it up in 3 or 4 days if needed.

It depends on what it is and how it's given, rule of thumb.... any milky penacillin give sub-q or im. Clear noncolored anti-biotics can be given sub-q,IM or IV. the same drug given three different ways can work/last for 3days, 30 hours or 3 hours and will work that much faster. Always follow the directions of how to administer the drug or anitbiotics because we all know deer are off all labels.

My understanding of Draxxin is it is good for 10 days with one treatment. That said I know of farms, and I will also, treat again in a shorter time frame if I feel it is needed.



I also have been told that Nuflor will work better for respiratory ailments. I think a lot of people go with Draxxin because of the ability to dart it into the deer.



Deer have a much higher metabolism rate that other critters so the need to dose higher or more often is needed for the same effects.



FYI, if you ever have what sounds like a respiratory issue and the deer stands around with the head down and such, don't over look lung worms as a possible cause. A treatment of Ivormec Plus will take care of that.

Sandridge,

Deer have an extremly fast metabolism. The lasting effects of antibiotics goes right out the window with deer. Draxxin is good for about 4 days in a deer. Hollys directions were spot on. In deer Draxin will be working in a very short time. In other animals it takes awhile to see results. You almost always need a follow-up to keep the symptoms from returning. Like when the doc prescribes antibiotics for a human. What do they say, take'em all or it will return. Holly and I have a great vet, but I still rely on my deer friends. Well, I got this all typed and seen Roger put about the metabolism.----Holly---- Remember when everyone used to laugh at me for the amount of antibiotics I recomended per treatment. Funny how results change opinion's. ----Robert---- Its funny that we all have to use disclaimers when trying to help, isn't it? Good Luck all.

Sandridge Whitetails said:

Nobody ever did answer my question of, "What are the dangers, if any, of giving antibiotics too often or too much at one time?"

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The short answer is that giving to many antibiotics of any kind can increase the animals resistance to that anitibiotic... thus making it less effective over time.



A little longer answer :

Draxxin is a Macrolide antibiotic. Macrolide's in general have a long half-life and they stay in the system for longer periods of time. This can be good and bad. Good because of less treatments, but bad because the longer an antibiotic stays in the system, the longer the "bugs" are exposed to it at a sub-inhibitory (not strong enough to kill the bugs) concentration. What this means is the bugs can begin to mutate and create defenses against the antibiotic because the concentration of the antibiotic weakens over time.

The comments brought up about a whitetail's metabolism are valid. The only problem is that we don't have any scientific data that can give us a good guideline for treatment regimens.

I guess the bottom line is take the info from your vet, the labeling on the bottle, and certainly the advice from other deer farmers and make your decision from there.

Lastly, I would absolutely take the advice from people like Holly, Tim, Roger, Scott and a whole bunch of other folks here that have been doing this for many years. They are our greatest resource in my opinion because they have a ton of experience with trial and error and have found what works!

Good luck.

Sandridge Whitetails said:

We had a sick 2 year old buck on Wednesday. (Posted under EHD symtoms?) Gave him 2cc draxxin Wednesday evening and he has responed possitively. What is the soonest we can give him more. What are the dangers of giving too much or too often antibiotics?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

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In addition to Michael's comments about resistance, the other concern for the deer is the way in which different drugs are eliminated from the body. Many, including Draxxin, are eliminated through the liver. So, overdosing or frequent use of any substance can, over time, cause liver damage. That is why I am reluctant to use the more "harsh" meds out there on fawns. Granted, a live deer with some liver damage is better than a dead deer. But, that is what causes me to be more conservative when offering advice about using different meds for different ailments. Draxxin has become a favorite because it is longer lasting than many other antibiotics out there, but it is not a catch all / cure all. Drugs are labeled as respiratory, or coccidiostats or whatever, for a reason. There is a big difference between gram + and gram - bacterias, and the drugs that they are susceptible to will vary. We should be careful to treat the symptom accurately, not as if all drugs are truly broad spectrum. In many cases, we end up choosing the med that is easiest on us (one time treatment) rather than the one best suited to treat the illness (may require multiple treatments).



There is also the issue of contrindications. All drugs do not work in the system together, and sometimes you can cause kidney, liver or renal failure by mixing drugs in the system. Or, you might simply use two meds that void each other out, and you have wasted money with a net 0 result. This goes back to a discussion Robert and I had on here a while back, about how badly our industry needs more clinical data and knowledge of pharmacology.

Great post Robbie ! You hit the nail on the head ! Draxxin is a great drug, just not a wonder drug that cures everything !!!!

I am cautious regarding drugs. As in people who have been to several doctors, some of the prescriptions work against each other and even worse can act together to produce some pretty drastic reactions in the patient. This is big problem with seniors who want to feel better and "reach" for anything that looks like it will help - even vitamins!

A live deer is better than a dead one, but it is our responsibility to learn all we can about the use of drugs and not expect a shot to cure all.

Robbie is right on, as usual!