Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol and thiamphenicol in ducks

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pharmacology
• Antimicrobial Pharmacokinetics
• Avian Medicine

Background:

• Florfenicol and thiamphenicol are crucial antimicrobials in veterinary medicine.
• Understanding their pharmacokinetic behavior in ducks is essential for effective therapeutic strategies.
• Mulard ducks are a significant species in poultry production, often requiring antimicrobial treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the pharmacokinetics of florfenicol (FF) and thiamphenicol (TP) in Mulard ducks.
• To evaluate the differences and similarities in drug disposition after intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) administration.
• To determine the suitability of oral administration for field application in ducks.

Main Methods:

• Single IV and PO administration of FF and TP at 30 mg/kg body weight to Mulard ducks.
• Plasma drug concentrations measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.
• Noncompartmental analysis to calculate key pharmacokinetic parameters (e.g., half-life, clearance, volume of distribution, bioavailability).

Main Results:

• After IV administration, thiamphenicol showed a slightly longer mean residence time and half-life compared to florfenicol, indicating slower elimination.
• Drug clearance and volume of distribution were comparable between FF and TP.
• Oral administration revealed highly similar pharmacokinetic profiles for both drugs, with rapid absorption and bioavailability exceeding 70%.

Conclusions:

• Despite minor differences in IV elimination kinetics, florfenicol and thiamphenicol exhibit comparable pharmacokinetic behavior in ducks.
• The high oral bioavailability and rapid absorption support the use of the oral route for efficient administration in field conditions.
• These findings provide valuable data for optimizing antimicrobial therapy in ducks.