Determination of safety of decoquinate in chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar)

Decoquinate (DQ) is an antiprotozoal quinolone derivative developed as an anticoccidial for poultry and other animals. The aim of the study was to determine the safety of DQ as an extra-label anticoccidial in chukar partridges, which are generally raised as game birds. In the study, a total of 40 animals were divided into four equal groups, ten animals from each group. Nothing was applied to the control group and they were fed with standard feed. The treatment groups were fed with feed containing DQ at a dose of 30, 60 or 120 ppm at the end of the study. At the end of 100 days of study period, blood serum for biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, BUN, and creatinine) and tissue samples (kidney, brain and liver) for pathological evaluations were taken from the chukar partridges. In addition, biochemical parameters were measured from the blood serum. No difference was found between the groups in histopathological and serum biochemical parameters. It was concluded that DQ is safe in chukar partridges.