Cushing AC, Ramsay EC, Steeil J & Cox S
Pharmacokinetic parameters of Cefovecin sodium (Convenia^®) in captive tigers (Panthera tigris).

J Zoo Wildl Med, 48(4): 1188-1192, 2017
ISSN: 1042-7260 Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (PubMed)

Abstract
A single 8 mg/kg dose of Cefovecin (Convenia^®) was administered intramuscularly in the hindlimb of eight anesthetized captive tigers (Panthera tigris) and serial blood samples were collected over the next 56 days to determine pharmacokinetic characteristics. High-performance liquid chromatography was utilized to determine plasma levels, and demonstrated a mean terminal half-life of 227,8 ± 29,3 hr. Cefovecin, > 1 µg/ml, was detected in plasma levels up to 56 days postinjection. Protein binding of tiger plasma for cefovecin was 98%. The long duration of therapeutic plasma concentrations and lack of adverse effects make cefovecin a useful antimicrobial drug for tigers.