Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of orally and intravenously (IV) administered meloxicam in semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus).
Study design: A crossover design with an 11 day washout period.
Animals: A total of eight young male reindeer, aged 1.5-2.5 years and weighing 74.3 ± 6.3 kg, mean ± standard deviation.
Methods: The reindeer were administered meloxicam (0.5 mg kg-1 IV or orally). Blood samples were repeatedly collected from the jugular vein for up to 72 hours post administration. Plasma samples were analysed for meloxicam concentrations with ultraperformance liquid chromatography combined with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Noncompartmental analysis for determination of pharmacokinetic variables was performed.
Results: The pharmacokinetic values, median (range), were determined. Elimination half-life (t½) with the IV route (n = 4) was 15.2 (13.2-16.8) hours, the volume of distribution at steady state was 133 (113-151) mL kg-1 and clearance was 3.98 (2.63-5.29) mL hour-1 kg-1. After oral administration (n = 7), the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was detected at 6 hours, t½ was 19.3 (16.7-20.5) hours, Cmax 1.82 (1.17-2.78) μg mL-1 and bioavailability (n = 3) 49 (46-73)%. No evident adverse effects were detected after either administration route.
Conclusions and clinical relevance: A single dose of meloxicam (0.5 mg kg-1 IV or orally) has the potential to maintain the therapeutic concentration determined in other species for up to 3 days in reindeer plasma.
Keywords: NSAID; animal welfare; cervid; meloxicam; reindeer; ruminant.
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