Pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in red‐eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) after single intravenous and intramuscular injections

• Published in: Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. e40 - e44
• Main Authors: Uney, K., Altan, F., Cetin, G., Aboubakr, M., Dik, B., Sayın, Z., Er, A., Elmas, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Bacterial Agents - blood; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; cefquinome; Cephalosporins - administration & dosage; Cephalosporins - blood; Cephalosporins - pharmacology; Half-Life; Injections, Intramuscular - veterinary; Injections, Intravenous - veterinary; pharmacokinetics; red‐eared slider turtle; Turtles - blood; Turtles - metabolism; pharmacokinetics; cefquinome; red-eared slider turtle
• ISSN: 0140-7783; 1365-2885
• DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12448

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of cefquinome (CFQ) following single intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injections of 2 mg/kg body weight in red‐eared slider turtles. Plasma concentrations of CFQ were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography and analyzed using noncompartmental methods. The pharmacokinetic parameters following IV injection were as follows: elimination half‐life (t1/2λz) 21.73 ± 4.95 hr, volume of distribution at steady‐state (Vdss) 0.37 ± 0.11 L/kg, area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0–∞) 163 ± 32 μg hr−1 ml−1, and total body clearance (ClT) 12.66 ± 2.51 ml hr−1 kg−1. The pharmacokinetic parameters after IM injection were as follows: peak plasma concentration (Cmax) 3.94 ± 0.84 μg/ml, time to peak concentration (Tmax) 3 hr, t1/2λz 26.90 ± 4.33 hr, and AUC0–∞ 145 ± 48 μg hr−1 ml−1. The bioavailability after IM injection was 88%. Data suggest that CFQ has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile with a long half‐life and a high bioavailability in red‐eared slider turtles. Further studies are needed to establish a multiple dosage regimen and evaluate clinical efficacy.