Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat serious, life threatening bacterial infections in poultry. It is effective against a wide variety of microorganisms, however since oral absorption is erratic and the potential toxic side effects to the liver and kidneys, the drug is usually only used as a last resort.
In the United States, Chloramphenicol is not approved for use in poultry who are not kept as pets. It is given "off-label".
Caution: Chloramphenicol is known to cause bone marrow suppression and should be used with great caution in birds with any existing kidney or liver damage. Can also cause dangerous anemia.
