Pharmacokinetic profile of a single dose of an oral pradofloxacin suspension administered to eastern long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis).

Abstract

The pharmacokinetics of fluoroquinolones in chelonians are well described but this does not extend to pradofloxacin, a broad-spectrum veterinary fluoroquinolone available as an oral suspension for cats and dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the single-dose pharmacokinetic profile of pradofloxacin oral suspension at 7.5mg/kg in eastern long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis). Eight treated turtles were sampled at multiple time points up to 168hr. Plasma concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Pradofloxacin was quantifiable for up to 48hr after drug administration. The Tmax (9.0hr) and T½ to 48hr (13.16hr) were longer, and the Cmax (0.2μg/ml) and AUC0-24 (2.2hr*μg/ml) lower, than previously reported in cats and dogs. Pradofloxacin was measurable in tank water samples for up to 48hr. No adverse effects were observed in six turtles administered 7.5mg/kg sid for 7days. Using mammalian MIC data, the AUC0-24 /MIC ratios for a range of bacterial isolates suggest that this dose of pradofloxacin in turtles is unlikely to be effective against many bacterial pathogens.