Pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in red‐eared slider turtles ( Trachemys scripta elegans ) after single intravenous and intramuscular injections

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of cefquinome ( CFQ ) following single intravenous ( IV ) or intramuscular ( IM ) injections of 2 mg/kg body weight in red‐eared slider turtles. Plasma concentrations of CFQ were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography and analyzed using noncompartmental methods. The pharmacokinetic parameters following IV injection were as follows: elimination half‐life ( t 1/2λz ) 21.73 ± 4.95 hr, volume of distribution at steady‐state ( V dss ) 0.37 ± 0.11 L/kg, area under the plasma concentration–time curve ( AUC 0–∞ ) 163 ± 32 μg hr −1  ml −1 , and total body clearance (Cl T ) 12.66 ± 2.51 ml hr −1  kg −1 . The pharmacokinetic parameters after IM injection were as follows: peak plasma concentration ( C max ) 3.94 ± 0.84 μg/ml, time to peak concentration ( T max ) 3 hr, t 1/2λz 26.90 ± 4.33 hr, and AUC 0–∞ 145 ± 48 μg hr −1  ml −1 . The bioavailability after IM injection was 88%. Data suggest that CFQ has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile with a long half‐life and a high bioavailability in red‐eared slider turtles. Further studies are needed to establish a multiple dosage regimen and evaluate clinical efficacy.