Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of cefquinome in healthy ducks

Objective-To determine pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of cefquinome administered IV IM or PO to healthy ducks Animals-Thirty-six 2-month-old Muscovy ducks Procedures-Ducks were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 12 birds each for a single IV IM or PO administration at a dose of 5 mg/kg Blood samples were collected before and at various intervals after each administration Cefquinome concentration was determined by use of high-performance liquid chromatography at 268 nm with a UV detector and pharmacokinetics were analyzed Results-The disposition of cefquinome following IV or IM administration was best described by a 2-compartment model After IV administration mean +/- SD elimination half-life was 1 57 +/- 0 06 hours clearance value was 0 22 +/- 0 02 L/kg h and apparent volume of distribution at steady state was 0 41 +/- 0 04 L/kg After IM administration elimination half-life was 1 79 +/- 0 13 hours peak concentration time was 0 38 +/- 0 06 hours peak drug concentration was 9 38 +/- 1 61 mu g/mL and absolute mean +/- SD bioavailability was 93 28 +/- 13 89% No cefquinome was detected in plasma after PO administration Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results indicated that cefquinome was absorbed quickly and had excellent bioavailability after IM administration but absorption after PO administration was poor (Am J Vet Res 2011 72 122-126)