D IMETRIDAZOLE (1,2-dimethyl-5-nitroimidazole) 2 is presently used in the United States and Canada for the prevention and treatment of histomoniasis in poultry. A stimulatory effect of dimetridazole on the growth of chickens and turkeys has been reported by Condren et al. (1963), Lucas (1963) and McGuire et al. (1964). In addition, dimetridazole has an inhibitory effect on the growth of certain strains of fungi, protozoa and bacteria (Watt and Jennison, 1960; Collins et al., 1965). Therefore, studies were conducted using dimetridazole alone and in combination with zinc bacitracin to determine whether dimetridazole would have any effect on the rate of gain or efficiency of feed utilization in growing swine.

Dimetridazole alone and in combination with zinc bacitracin significantly improves growth rate and feed efficiency in growing swine, but its effects on histomoniasis in poultry remain unclear.

Paper

Effect of dimetridazole on rate of gain and feed efficiency in swine.

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