Medication in feed overnight - should you?

[Ludi-doodi]

Ludi is to have anti-b's in his feed morning and night at the moment. I normally make up my morning feeds already damp at night, ready just to pop over the stable door; if I'm lucky someone who gets to the yard before me, pops it in. However, if I put the medication in the damp food at night will it still be an 'active' ingredient in the morning? I know it will dissolve into the food, but will it still be full strength or even there 10-ish hours later? TBH it's something I've always done but wondered whether it was the right thing to do.

Any (not too technical) answers to this would be appreciated.

 

[paulineh]

It would be better not to put it in the feed over night.

it only take a couple of seconds to mix it in first thing.

 

[Ludi-doodi]

It would be better not to put it in the feed over night.

But WHY is it better not to?

I'm not being argumentative I just want to know if it makes any difference to the activity of the medication.

 

[Nailed]

It may not make any difference.. but why take that risk?

I can't see damp affecting them much, but they do come with a big sign saying store in a cool, DRY place...

Leave the anti-biotics on top of the feed and someone will slip them in.

Lou x

 

[AmyMay]

Always put medication in feed immediately prior to it being fed. This is particularly important with larger levels of powder compounds - where there is a risk of the less palitable medicines leaching in to the food, making it even less palitable.

If you can't be the first down in the morning - leave a small 'token' breakfast, and feed the proper one with the drugs when you arrive.

 

[Ludi-doodi]

Thanks everyone. It's not a question of not being able to be there, I'm one of only two people to arrive before 6.30am! Every second saved in the morning helps that's all!

 

[criso]

This is particularly important with larger levels of powder compounds - where there is a risk of the less palitable medicines leaching in to the food, making it even less palitable.

Mine won't eat certain supplements/medicines if it's been sitting there for a long time, especially as his feeds need soaking so the flavour of the supplements taints the feeds.