Pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administration to ostriches

The pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin was investigated after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration, both at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg BW, in six clinically healthy domestic ostriches. Plasma concentrations of marbofloxacin was determined by a HPLC/UV method. The high volume of distribution (3.22 ± 0.98 L/kg) suggests good tissue penetration. Marbofloxacin presented a high clearance value (2.19 ± 0.27 L/kg h), explaining the low AUC values (2.32 ± 0.30 μg h/mL and 2.25 ± 0.70 μg h/mL, after IV and IM administration, respectively) and a short half life and mean residence time (t1/2β = 1.47 ± 0.31 h and 1.96 ± 0.35 h; MRT = 1.46 ± 0.02 h and 2.11 ± 0.30 h, IV and IM, respectively). The absorption of marbofloxacin after IM administration was rapid and complete (Cmax = 1.13 ± 0.29 μg/mL; Tmax = 0.36 ± 0.071 h; MAT = 0.66 ± 0.22 h and F (%) = 95.03 ± 16.89).