Effect on hemato- biochemical parameters following multiple dose intramuscular administration of levofloxacin in poultry

The study was conducted to assess the effect on hematological and blood biochemical parameters of poultry following multiple dose i.m. administration of levofloxacin. It was conducted in 20 Rhode Island Red (RIR) poultry birds 4 in each group weighing 1±0.5 kg. 10mg.kg¹ of levofloxacin was administered i.m for 5 days (multiple doses) at every 24h interval in poultry birds. Blood samples were collected at 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h post administration of levofloxacin. No significant change was observed in value of packed cell volume(PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte count (TEC) and total leukocyte count (TLC) as compared to control in group V after 96h whereas there was a significant (P<0.01) decrease in PCV and Hb% of group IV after 72h and highly significant (P<0.001) decrease in group II after 24h and in group III after 48h of administration of levofloxacin compared to control. PCV and Hb% were increased significantly (P<0.05) in group IV as compared to group II. There was a significant (P<0.05) and highly significant (P<0.001) increase in value of PCV and Hb of group V as compared to group II and III, respectively. No significant changes were observed in the estimated blood biochemical parameters i.e., aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, urea, total serum proteins, albumin and globulin in any group as compared to control. It is concluded that levofloxacin could be given safely without causing any adverse effects in poultry birds.