Pharmacokinetics of cefquinome after single intramuscular administration in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in 5 healthy male dromedary camels following a single intramuscular (IM) administration at the dose rate of 1 mg/kg body weight in the caudal cervical epiaxial muscles. Blood samples were collected prior to drug administration and up to 48 h after drug administration. No clinical symptoms or signs suggestive of adverse drug reaction could be recorded in any animal. Plasma cefquinome concentration was estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The disposition kinetics of cefquinome best fitted to a 2 compartment open model. The peak plasma cefquinome concentration (C-max cal) of 1.013 +/- 0.038 mu g/ml(-1) was achieved at 5.257 +/- 0.067 h (t(max cal)). The absorption half-life (t(ka)(1/2)), elimination half-life (t(beta)(1/2)), area under plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC) and apparent volume of distribution (Vd(area)) of cefquinome were 3.401 +/- 0.042 h, 3.754 +/- 0.072 h, 14.417 +/- 0.621 mu g/ml(-1) h and 0.379 +/- 0.016 l/kg(-1), respectively. The results of the present study suggested that an intramuscular dosage regimen of 1 mg/kg body weight at 24 h interval would maintain the plasma drug levels required to be effective against the common bacterial pathogens in dromedary camel.