Disposition of deracoxib in cats after oral administration

The pharmacokinetics of deracoxib in seven healthy cats were determined following a single oral (1 mg/kg) dose. Minimal variability among cats was found for all estimated pharmacokinetic variables. Terminal half-life (t(1/2)) was 7.9 hours. The mean maximum concentration (C(max)) was 0.28 microg/mL and was measured 3.64 hours after drug administration. Deracoxib was not detectable in the plasma after 60 hours. The compounded liquid formula was accepted readily, and no adverse effects were observed. Further studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of deracoxib after acute and chronic use in the cat.