Pharmacotherapeutics of chloramphenicol in veterinary medicine

Since its discovery in 1947, chloramphenicol has enjoyed a prominent place in the veterinarian's drug arsenal. Some of the reasons for its popularity are: (1) Antimicrobial activity--effective against a variety of infective pathogens, including staphylococci, salmonellae, pasturellae, Bordetella, Haemophilus, coliform organisms, chlamydiae, and rickettsiae, many of which may be resistant to other antimicrobial agents; (2) Kinetic properties--allowing production and maintenance of effective therapeutic concentrations in body fluids and tissues, with a practicable dosage schedule in most species; (3) Safety--toxic reactions to chloramphenicol encountered thus far in animals have not warranted any serious limitations on its use in veterinary medicine.