Pharmacokinetic analysis of cefquinome in healthy chickens.

1. The pharmacokinetics of cefquinome (CEQ) in chickens was determined after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration of 2 mg/kg body weight. Plasma concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography assay with an ultraviolet detector at 265 nm wavelength. 2. Plasma concentration-time data after IV administration were best fitted by a two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetic parameters following IV injection were distribution half-life 0·43 ± 0·19 h, elimination half-life 1·29 ± 0·10 h, total body clearance 0·35 ± 0·04 l/kg/h, area under curve 5·33 ± 0·55 µg/h/ml and volume of distribution at steady state 0·49 ± 0·05 l/kg. 3. Plasma concentration-time data after IM administration were best described by a two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetic parameters after IM administration were absorption half-life 0·07 ± 0·02 h, distribution half-life 0·58 ± 0·27 h, elimination half-life 1·35 ± 0·20 h, peak concentration 3·04 ± 0·71 µg/ml and bioavailability 95·81 ± 5·81%. 4. Cefquinome kinetics in chicken and data from other species were summarised and analysed to provide a comprehensive understanding of CEQ pharmacokinetics.