Abstract
Cefovecin (Convenia®) is a third generation, long acting injectable cephalosporin labeled for use in domestic dogs with pyoderma caused by Staphylococcus intermedius, and Streptococcus canis and domestic cats with wounds/abscesses caused by Pasteurella multocida.1 As a third-generation cephalosporin it is expected to have an even greater activity against gram-negative bacteria.2 At present, nopharmacokinetic data for cefovecin in elasmobranchs and aquatic invertebrates is available. In this pharmacokinetic study, cefovecin (Convenia®) was administered to six healthy, adult white bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum), and six healthy, adult Atlantic horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus). A dose of 8 mg/kg was administered subcutaneously in the epaxial region of the bamboo sharks and the lateral leg region of the horseshoe crabs. Based on results of a pilot study performed on both species, blood samples were collected at 0 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 1 day, 2, days, 3, days, 4, days, 5 days, 6 days, and 7 days for bamboo sharks and 0 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 1 day, 6 days, 9 days, 12 days, 14 and 18 days for horseshoe crabs. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed on plasma samples to determine levels of cefovecin. Cefovecin concentrations were detected for 4 days in white bamboo sharks and for 14 days in Atlantic horseshoe crabs. No adverse effects associated with cefovecin administration were seen in bamboo sharks or horseshoe crabs. Further studies need to be performed to evaluate drug safety and efficacy on aquatic animal pathogens.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the aquarists at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies for their technical assistance. The authors thank the FEAR Grant, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee for financial support of this project.
* Presenting author
+ Student presenter
Literature Cited
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