Pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin after a single oral dose to loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)

Abstract

The single-dose disposition kinetics of marbofloxacin (MBX) were determined in clinically healthy loggerhead sea turtles (n=5) after oral (PO) administration of 2mgkg−1 bodyweight. Marbofloxacin plasma concentrations were determined by DAD–HPLC (LOD/LOQ 0.015/0.05μgml−1). Data were subjected to non-compartmental analysis. Following PO administration, marbofloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 11.66±2.53mgL−1 at 15.00±3.00h. The absence of general adverse reactions in the turtles of the study, and the favourable pharmacokinetic properties (long half-life and high maximum plasma concentration) of MBX administered PO at the single-dose of 2mgkg−1 suggest the possibility of its safe and effective clinical use in loggerhead sea turtles.