Pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin in blue and gold macaws (Ara ararauna).
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin after single IV and orally administered doses in blue and gold macaws.


METHODS
10 healthy blue and gold macaws.


METHODS
In a crossover study, marbofloxacin (2.5 mg/kg) was administered orally (via crop gavage) to 5 birds and IV to 5 birds. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after marbofloxacin administration. After a 4-week washout period, the study was repeated, with the first 5 birds receiving the dose IV and the second 5 birds receiving the dose orally. Serum marbofloxacin concentrations were quantitated by use of a validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assay.


RESULTS
After oral administration, mean +/- SD area under the curve was 7.94 +/- 2.08 microg.h/mL, maximum plasma concentration was 1.08 +/- 0.316 microg/mL, and bioavailability was 90.0 +/- 31%. After IV administration of marbofloxacin, the apparent volume of distribution was 1.3 +/- 0.32 L/kg, plasma clearance was 0.29 +/- 0.078 L/h/kg, area under the curve was 9.41 +/- 2.84 microg.h/mL, and the harmonic mean terminal half-life was 4.3 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Single IV and orally administered doses of marbofloxacin were well tolerated by blue and gold macaws. The orally administered dose was well absorbed. Administration of marbofloxacin at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg, PO, every 24 hours may be appropriate to control bacterial infections susceptible to marbofloxacin in this species.
Carpenter
James W
JW
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
Hunter
Robert P
RP
Olsen
John H
JH
Henry
Heather
H
Isaza
Ramiro
R
Koch
David E
DE
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001682:Biological Availability; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006207:Half-Life; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D011563:Psittaciformes / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D015363:Quinolones; C080260:marbofloxacin