Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in adult goats: a comparative study of subcutaneous, oral and intravenous administration

AbstractAIMS: To determine the plasma disposition of meloxicam in goats following S/C, oral or I/V administration at a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight.METHODS: Five healthy Saanen goats, aged 12–14 months and weighing 35–40 kg, were used for a three phase cross-over design with a 10-day washout period, with meloxicam administered I/V, then orally and S/C. Heparinised blood samples (5 mL) were collected from all animals prior to drug administration (0 hours) and subsequently up to 96 hours. Concentrations of meloxicam in plasma were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Concentration-time curves were fitted and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated for each administration group.RESULTS: Subcutaneous administration of meloxicam exhibited unique plasma distribution characteristics that differed from oral and I/V administration. Mean peak plasma concentrations were greater (1.91 (SD 0.39) vs. 0.71 (SD 0.17) µg/mL) and the time to reach them shorter (3.20 (SD 1.64) vs. 14.33 (SD 2.19) ...