Decoquinate
Decoquinate is a **4-hydroxy quinolone** antiprotozoal agent primarily used as a **coccidiostat** in livestock and poultry. While highly effective for *preventing* coccidiosis by arresting the parasite's life cycle at the sporozoite stage, it is **ineffective against adult coccidia** and cannot treat active clinical infections. In small animal medicine, its most notable off-label use is in dogs for the long-term prevention of **hepatozoonosis relapse** (caused by *Hepatozoon americanum*) following initial acute therapy. Because it is a static agent (coccidiostatic rather than coccidiocidal), it relies on the host's immune system to clear the inhibited parasites.
Mecanismo: Decoquinate acts specifically on the **sporozoite stage** of the coccidian life cycle. * Sporozoites can still penetrate host intestinal cells, but further intracellular development is halted. * **Mechanism**: It disrupts electron transport within the **mitochondrial cytochrome system** of the parasite → inhibits respiration and ATP energy production → prevents maturation and replication.
Dosificación por especie
- Prophylaxis of coccidiosis · 0.5 mg/kg per day in feed · PO · q24h · during periods of exposure
- Prophylaxis of coccidiosis · 0.5-1 mg/kg of body weight PO · PO · q24h
- Prophylaxis of coccidiosis · 0.5 mg/kg per day in feed · PO · q24h · for at least 28 days · Using the 6% premix
- Coccidiosis prophylaxis · 50 mg/kg PO once daily · PO · q24h
- Canine hepatozoonosis (Hepatozoon americanum) relapse prevention · 20 mg/kg PO q12h · PO · q12h · long-term (Recommend treating for 2 years) · Given after 14 days of TCP therapy (TMP/Sulfa, Clindamycin, Pyrimethamine). Perform muscle biopsy after 2 years; if negative, may discontinue.
- Canine hepatozoonosis relapse prevention (alternative) · 10-20 mg/kg PO q12h · PO · q12h · for 24 months · Given after 14 days of TCP therapy.
Las dosis son una referencia clínica para veterinarios colegiados. Confirme siempre con la ficha técnica vigente y el paciente individual.
Vías de administración
Contraindicaciones
- Lactating dairy animals producing milk for food
- Laying chickens
- Treatment of active/clinical coccidiosis
Monitorización
- Clinical signs of coccidiosis or hepatozoonosis relapse
- Muscle biopsy (after 2 years of hepatozoonosis treatment in dogs to confirm clearance)
Sobredosis
Decoquinate is considered to have a **wide safety margin**. No specific acute toxicity information was located.
La referencia de fármacos de VetSheet está destinada a veterinarios colegiados como apoyo a la decisión clínica, no sustituye el juicio profesional ni la ficha técnica vigente del fabricante.