title: Potential use of long-acting injectable oxytetracycline for treatment of chlamydiosis in Goffin's cockatoos.
abstract: To determine the potential use of parenteral therapy in the treatment of chlamydiosis in psittacine birds, the disposition and toxicity of a long-acting oxytetracycline (OTC) was evaluated in Goffin's cockatoos. Following intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of 50 to 100 mg/kg body weight, plasma OTC concentrations of 7 to 15 micrograms/ml were obtained 3 hr following injection and declined with a terminal half-life between 8.9 to 14.7 hr. Plasma concentrations in excess of 1.0 microgram/ml were maintained for 48 to 68 hr. Multiple-dose treatment of 100 mg/kg subcutaneously every 3 days for 30 days caused focal necrosis and scabs at the injection site but no other clinical or serological evidence of adverse effects. Long-term treatment did not result in accumulation or alteration in the disposition of OTC. Based on this study, a dosage regimen of 50 to 100 mg/kg of OTC subcutaneously every 2-3 days would safely maintain plasma concentrations in excess of 1.0 microgram/ml and could potentially be used as an alternative to medicated feeds or daily oral dosing regimens for the treatment of chlamydiosis in psittacine birds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal and Special Species Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Flammer
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Aucoin
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Whitt
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Styles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006207:Half-Life; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011563:Psittaciformes; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010118:Oxytetracycline