OBJECTIVE: To determine plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin and the active metabolite ciprofloxacin after p.o, s.c., and i.v. administration of enrofloxacin to alpacas. ANIMALS: 6 adult female alpacas. PROCEDURE: A crossover design was used for administration of 3 single-dose treatments of enrofloxacin to alpacas, which was followed by an observational 14-day multiple-dose regimen. Single-dose treatments consisted of i.v. and s.c. administration of injectable enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg) and p.o administration of enrofloxacin tablets (10 mg/kg) dissolved in grain to form a slurry. Plasma enrofloxacin concentrations were measured by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. The multiple-dose regimen consisted of feeding a mixture of crushed and moistened enrofloxacin tablets mixed with grain. Behavior, appetite, and fecal quality were monitored throughout the 14-day treatment regimen and for 71 additional days following treatment. RESULTS: Mean half-life following i.v., s.c., and p.o. administration was 11.2, 8.7, and 16.1 hours, respectively. For s.c. and p.o administration, mean total systemic availability was 90.18% and 29.31%, respectively; mean maximum plasma concentration was 3.79 and 1.81 microg/mL, respectively; and area under the curve (AUC) was 50.05 and 33.97 (microg x h)/mL, respectively. The s.c. or p.o administration of a single dose of enrofloxacin yielded a ratio for AUC to minimum inhibitory concentration > 100 for many grampositive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens common to camelids. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The administration of enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg, s.c., or 10 mg/kg, p.o) may be appropriate for antimicrobial treatment of alpacas.
OBJECTIVE: To determine plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin and the active metabolite ciprofloxacin after p.o, s.c., and i.v. administration of enrofloxacin to alpacas. ANIMALS: 6 adult female alpacas. PROCEDURE: A crossover design was used for administration of 3 single-dose treatments of enrofloxacin to alpacas, which was followed by an observational 14-day multiple-dose regimen. Single-dose treatments consisted of i.v. and s.c. administration of injectable enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg) and p.o administration of enrofloxacin tablets (10 mg/kg) dissolved in grain to form a slurry. Plasma enrofloxacin concentrations were measured by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. The multiple-dose regimen consisted of feeding a mixture of crushed and moistened enrofloxacin tablets mixed with grain. Behavior, appetite, and fecal quality were monitored throughout the 14-day treatment regimen and for 71 additional days following treatment. RESULTS: Mean half-life following i.v., s.c., and p.o. administration was 11.2, 8.7, and 16.1 hours, respectively. For s.c. and p.o administration, mean total systemic availability was 90.18% and 29.31%, respectively; mean maximum plasma concentration was 3.79 and 1.81 microg/mL, respectively; and area under the curve (AUC) was 50.05 and 33.97 (microg x h)/mL, respectively. The s.c. or p.o administration of a single dose of enrofloxacin yielded a ratio for AUC to minimum inhibitory concentration > 100 for many grampositive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens common to camelids. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The administration of enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg, s.c., or 10 mg/kg, p.o) may be appropriate for antimicrobial treatment of alpacas.