POM-V Prescription Required

Doxycycline Hyclate VMD 500 mg/g Powder for Use in Drinking Water for Chickens

Active ingredient: Doxycycline Hyclate

Form

Powder

Species

Chickens

Manufacturer

VMD NV

VMD MA No.

19968/4001

What it's used for

Treatment of the following specified infections of the respiratory tract and alimentary tract caused by micro-organisms susceptible to doxycycline. Non-egg...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Doxycycline Hyclate

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

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Prescription required

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Clinical information

Doxycycline Hyclate VMD 500 mg/g Powder for Use in Drinking Water for Chickens — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

Treatment of the following specified infections of the respiratory tract and alimentary
tract caused by micro-organisms susceptible to doxycycline.
Non-egg laying chickens:
Infections of the respiratory tract caused by Mycoplasma spp, Escherichia coli,
Avibacterium paragallinarum and .
Enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens and

Non-egg laying chicken: 25 mg doxycycline hyclate per kg bodyweight per day,
corresponding to 50 mg of product per kg bodyweight, per day for 3-5 days.
Route of administration: For the administration through the drinking water, the exact
daily amount of product should be calculated, based on the recommended dose, and
the number and weight of the birds to be treated, according to the following formula:
Mg product per litre drinking water =
Mg product/kg bodyweight/day x mean bodyweight (kg) of birds to be treated
Mean daily water consumption (litre) per animal
To ensure a correct dosage, bodyweight should be determined as accurately as
possible to avoid underdosing. The uptake of medicated water depends on the

Revised: February 2018
AN: 01687/2017
clinical conditions of the birds and the concentration of doxycycline should be
adjusted accordingly. The daily amount is to be added to the drinking water such that
all medication will be consumed in 24 hours. Medicated drinking water should be
freshly prepared every 24 hours. It is recommended to prepare a concentrated pre-
solution – approximately 100 grams product per litre drinking water – and to dilute
this further to therapeutic concentrations if required. Alternatively, the concentrated
solution can be used in a proportional water medicator. Medicated water should be
the only drinking source.
Use appropriately and properly calibrated dosing equipment.

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to tetracyclines or any of the excipients.
Do not administer to animals with severe liver or kidney insufficiency.

None known.

None.

Special precautions for use in animals
Due to variability (time, geographical) in susceptibility of bacteria to doxycycline,
bacteriological sampling and susceptibility testing of micro-organisms from diseased
animals on farm are highly recommended.
A high resistance rate of E.coli isolated from chickens, against tetracyclines has been
documented. Therefore the product should be used for the treatment of infections
caused by only after susceptibility testing has been carried out.

Revised: February 2018
AN: 01687/2017
As eradication of the target pathogen may not be achieved, medication should
therefore be combined with good management practices e.g. good hygiene, proper
ventilation, no overstocking.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
This product may cause contact dermatitis and/or hypersensitivity reactions if contact
is made with the skin or eyes (powder and solution), or if the powder is inhaled.
People with known hypersensitivity to tetracyclines should not handle the product.
Wear impermeable gloves (e.g. rubber or latex) and an appropriate dust mask (e.g. a
disposable half-mask respirator conforming to European Standard EN 149 (FFP2) or
a non-disposable respirator to European Standard EN 140 with a filter to EN 143)
when applying the product.
Do not smoke, eat or drink while handling the product. In the event of eye or skin
contact, rinse the affected area with large amounts of clean water and if irritation
occurs, seek medical attention. Wash hands and contaminated skin immediately after
handling the product.
If you develop symptoms following exposure such as skin rash, you should seek
medical advice and show this warning to the physician. Swelling of the face, lips or
eyes, or difficulty with breathing are more serious symptoms and require urgent
medical attention.

Do not administer in combination with bactericidal antibiotics, such as penicillins and
cephalosporins.
Doxycycline absorption may be reduced by the presence of high quantities of
calcium, iron, magnesium or aluminium in the diet.

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Meat and Offal: 5 days.
Not for use in birds producing or intended to produce eggs for human consumption.
5.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.