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 μg/ml⁻¹ was achieved at 5.257 ± 0.067 h (t_{max cal}). The absorption half-life (t½_ka), elimination half-life (t½_β), 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 μg/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.