Intramuscular and oral disposition of enrofloxacin in African grey parrots following single and multiple doses

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The intramuscular (IM) and oral (PO) disposition of enrofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug, were evaluated in African grey parrots. Peak enrofloxacin concentration, mean (± SEM), at 1h following a 15‐mg/kg IM dose was 3.87 (± 0.27) μg/ml and declined with a mean residence time of 3.05 h. Peak enrofloxacin plasma concentrations at 2 to 4h following oral doses of 3, 15, and 30 mg/kg were 0.31 (± 0.11), 1.12 (± 0.11), and 1.69 (± 0.23) μg/ml, respectively, and declined with a mean residence time of 3.44‐5.28 h. The relative bioavailability of the 15‐mg/kg oral dose was 48%. An equipotent metabolite, ciprofloxacin, was detected in plasma at concentrations ranging from 3 to 78% of those of enrofloxacin. Enrofloxacin concentrations and area under the curve were significantly lower, the mean residence time significantly shorter and the ciprofloxacin/enrofloxacin ratios higher, following 10 days of oral treatment at 30 mg/kg every 12 h. Following 10 days of treatment, no significant biochemical changes were noted; however, polydipsia and polyuria occurred in treated birds, but resolved quickly upon discontinuation of enrofloxacin administration. These studies indicate that a rational starting dose for enrofloxacin in psittacines (7.5‐30 mg/kg BID) should be higher than those in other domestic animals.