Pharmacokinetics and tolerance of chloramphenicol and florfenicol in camels

The pharmacokinetic of chloramphenicol and florfenicol following intravenous administration of 5 mg/kg body weight was studied in camels. The plasma concentration versus time were best described by a two-compartment open model. Significantly higher volume of distribution, shorter half-life and body clearance were observed for chloramphenicol compared to florfenicol. Mean volume of distribution, half-life and body clearance were 0.921 L/kg, 100 minutes and 0.018 ml/minute/kg, respectively for chloramphenicol and 0.732 L/kg, 138 minutes and 0.0037 ml/minutes/kg, respectively for florfenicol. Animals treated intramuscularly with chloramphenicol in a dose up to 40 mg/kg for 3 successive days showed inappetance, dullness and some haematological and biochemical alterations. Florfenicol given at a dose of 200 mg/kg intramuscularly for 3 days was well tolerated. It is recommended that use of chloramphenicol should be limited in camel unless there is no other effective antibiotic, and that florfenicol could be a good substitute.