Cefovecin pharmacokinetics after single-dose intramuscular administration in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

Cefovecin is a third-generation cephalosporin with potential value for use in exotic felids due to its long duration of action. A sparse sampling protocol was implemented with 18 zoo-housed cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of cefovecin (Convenia(R)) after a single 8 mg/kg intramuscular injection. Blood was collected serially for 15 days following administration, and plasma cefovecin concentrations were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using population pharmacokinetic methods and non-linear mixed effects modeling (NLME). Cefovecin was well tolerated by all cats, with no adverse effects observed. Peak plasma cefovecin concentration was 84.75 mu g/ml, with a mean residence time of 207.9 h and an elimination half-life of 144.1 h (6.00 days). Plasma concentrations of cefovecin were maintained >7 mu g/ml in all individuals for the entire study duration (15 days). These concentrations are lower, and the half-life slightly shorter, than the values reported for domestic cats. Cefovecin was highly protein-bound (approximately 99.9%) in cheetah plasma, which is nearly identical to domestic cats. These results indicate that cefovecin is potentially useful as a long-acting antibiotic in cheetahs.