title: Pharmacokinetic and pathological evaluation of gentamicin in cats given a small intravenous dose repeatedly for five days.
abstract: Gentamicin was administered to six cats at a dosage of 3 mg/kg of body weight intravenously every 8 h for five days. Peak and trough serum gentamicin concentrations were measured after each injection. Gentamicin elimination rate and serum half-life were calculated. Serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, biochemistry profile, electrolyte, glucose, total protein, and albumin concentrations were measured daily. Urinalyses were performed before and after the five-day experimental period. The mean +/- SD peak serum gentamicin concentration was 7.19 +/- 1.10 micrograms/mL, and the trough concentration was 0.59 +/- 0.09 microgram/mL. These concentrations are known to be effective against most gentamicin-sensitive bacteria. The mean +/- SD gentamicin elimination rate was 0.0065 +/- 0.0004 min-1. The harmonic mean +/- pseudo standard deviation serum half-life of gentamicin was 107.21 +/- 12.79 min. There were no significant increases (P greater than 0.05) in clinicopathological variables. Microscopic examination of renal sections did not disclose pathological lesions. Signs of vestibular impairment were not observed. A dosage of 3 mg gentamicin/kg given intravenously every 8 h for five days was determined to be safe and to produce therapeutic blood levels in cats.
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
authors: A D
authors: AD
authors: Jernigan
authors: R C
authors: RC
authors: Hatch
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Brown
authors: W A
authors: WA
authors: Crowell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins