Specialeprojekt Line Risager Thuesen (KU-LIFE), Leon Brimer (KU-LIFE), Mette Skaaning (KU-LIFE), Mads Bertelsen

The third generation cephalosporin cefovecin has been shown to have an exceptionally long elimination half-life in dogs and cats, making it suitable for antibacterial treatment with a 14-day dosing interval in these species and an attractive candidate for long interval dosing in other species. Pharmacokinetic parameters for cefovecin were investigated in a series of in vivo studies in juvenile hens and green iguanas. Parameters for hens and green iguanas were determined following subcutaneous injections with 10 mg cefovecin/kg bodyweight. Crude studies in 8 additional species of birds and reptiles were performed and results were compared with the parameters found in hens and green iguanas. The kinetics were characterized by rapid absorption with peak plasma concentration of 6 ± 2 mg/mL in hens and 35 ± 12 mg/mL in green iguanas. The mean plasma half-life for cefovecin was 52 ± 16 minutes for hens and 3.9 hours in green iguanas. Volume of distribution was 1.6 ± 0.5 L/kg for hens and 0.3 L/kg for green iguanas and clearance was 21 ± 3 mL/min/kg for hens and 53 mL/hour/kg for green iguanas. Results from crude studies did not differ notably from those seen in hens and green iguanas. Cefovecin is not suitable for the treatment of bacterial infections with a 14-day dosing interval in hens or green iguanas.