Disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of gentamicin in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis)

The disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of gentamicin sulphate were studied in young buffalo bulls following a single intramuscular administration of the drug at 5 mg kg-1 body weight. The time course of the serum gentamicin concentration was adequately described by the one-compartment open model. The values of the absorption and elimination halflives were 12.2 +/- 2.2 and 167.0 +/- 29.7 min respectively. The apparent volume of distribution was 0.29 +/- 0.01 L kg-1. During the first 12 h, 63% of the total administered dose was excreted in urine. On the basis of the kinetic data, a satisfactory intramuscular dosage regimen for gentamicin sulphate would be at least 6 mg kg-1 body weight repeated at 8 h intervals.