The study focussed on pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ceftiofur (CFT) after receiving a single dose
(2 mg/kg BW) through either intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection. Eight broiler chickens, were used in
a crossover design with a washout period of two weeks to analyze the behaviour of CFT. Ceftiofur concentrations
in the plasma were determined by HPLC with UV detector. The pharmacokinetics of CFT was analyzed using non
compartmental analysis. Following IV injection, CFT elimination half-life (t1/2β
) was 2.43 h, volume of distribution
at steady state (Vdss
) was 0.63 L/kg, and total body clearance (Cl) was 0.24 L/h/kg. Following a single intramuscular
(IM) injection of CFT at the same dose, the drug was quickly absorbed into the bloodstream with an absorption half
life (t1/2ab
) of 0.31 h. The maximum concentration of the drug in the plasma (Cmax
) was 2.85 μg/mL and reached at a
time (Tmax
) of 0.57 h after injection and the bioavailability (F) of CFT was 96.25%. The results of the study revealed
that CFT was absorbed rapidly and showed high bioavailability when administered by IM route. This suggests that
CFT has a promising disposition in chickens, and its use could help determine the best dosage regimens for effective
eradication of various infections in chickens.