The aim of our study was to investigate the concentrations of toxic metals in the feathers of predatory birds in the Hortobágyi Madárpark (Bird Hospital Foundation). Samples were collected from different predatory birds originated from the eastern and north-eastern region of Hungary. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of toxic metals. The mean values varied between bird species groups, their concentrations were between 0.29 ± 0.24 and 0.40 ± 0.30 mg/kg for arsenic (As), 0.09 ± 0.03 and 0.20 ± 0.18 mg/kg for cadmium (Cd), 1.15 ± 1.40 to 2.30 ± 1.52 mg/kg for lead (Pb) and 0.58 ± 0.31 to 2.19 ± 1.25 mg/kg for mercury (Hg), respectively. The measured values are not over the considered threshold values for these toxic metals and in accordance with similar concentrations of them recorded in similar species within Europe. No significant differences were found in their concentration between genders or age in the species. According to the detected concentrations of these metals, their levels accumulated in the feather of the investigated birds do not indicate the possibility of poisoning.

The amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination is one of the most frequently used antibiotic combination in the human and in the veterinary practice alike. Wide therapeutic margin, bactericidal activity, broad antibacterial spectrum and adequate water solubility makes the combination theoretically appropriate for using it in the poultry industry. Although no MRL is established for clavulanic acid in chickens in the European Union, emerging resistance might necessitate the usage of clavulanate together with amoxicillin even in broiler chickens in the future. Clavulanic acid that has no antibacterial activity, but is a potent irreversible inhibitor of a large number of Ambler class A and D b-lactamases (Ambler, 1980;Brinas et al., 2002;Haginaka et al., 1981). No studies regarding oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters of clavulanic acid administered together with amoxicillin orally to chickens are available previously, although this might be the main route of administration in this species. These data are crucial in the planning of an efficient therapy and to ensure food safety. In accordance with their synergistic mechanism of effect the similar pharmacokinetic profile of the two substances could enhance their potency. Anadón et al. (1996) and El-Sooud et al. (2004) published pharmacokinetic data following oral administration of amoxicillin in chickens, but remarkable differences can be found between the two studies. Carceles et al. (1995) investigated the pharmacokinetic profile of the combination after intravenous and intramuscular administration, but without evaluating the kinetic behaviour of the drugs after oral administration. No data are published about the oral bioavailability of the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination in broilers. The aim of this experiment was to define the pharmacokinetic parameters of the combination in this species after single intravenous and single oral administration by gavage and to determine oral bioavailability of both compounds. This administration route is not in relation with a possible future application but helps to determine standardized pharmacokinetic parameters.Twelve healthy, conventional, female, 6 week old, Ross-breed broiler chickens used in this study were divided into two groups with six animals each. Acclimatization period lasted for 8 days at an ambient temperature of 20 ± 2°C. The animals were fed with drug-free feed ad libitum and were given tap water ad libitum. The investigation was authorized by the Hungarian Animal Welfare Commitee of the Szent Istvan University Faculty of Veterinary Science of Hungary.A cross-over pharmacokinetic study was conducted with a 2-week Ôwash-outÕ period between the oral and intravenous treatments. Six animals in the first group were treated intravenously in a single bolus with Augmentin Soluble Powder Ò (GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, UK) at a dose of 12.5 mg ⁄ kg (10 mg ⁄ kg of amoxicillin-sodium, 2.5 mg ⁄ kg of potassiumclavulanate) dissolved in distilled water (Aqua ad injectabilia, TEVA). The calculated injection...

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The pharmacokinetics and the influence of food on the kinetic profile and bioavailability of doxycycline was studied after a single intravenous (i.v.) and oral dose of 10.0 mg/kg body weight in 7-week-old broiler chickens. Following i.v. administration the drug was rapidly distributed in the body with a distribution half-life of 0.21 +/- 0.01 h. The elimination half-life of 6.78 +/- 0.06 h was relatively long and resulted from both a low total body clearance of 0.139 +/- 0.007 L/h.kg and a large volume of distribution of 1.36 +/- 0.06 L/kg. After oral administration to fasted chickens, the absorption of doxycycline was quite fast and substantial as shown by the absorption half-life of 0.39 +/- 0.03 h, the maximal plasma concentration of 4.47 +/- 0.16 micrograms/mL and the time to reach the Cmax of 1.73 +/- 0.06 h. The distribution and the final elimination of the drug were slower than after i.v. administration. The absolute bioavailability was 73.4 +/- 2.5%. The presence of food in the intestinal tract reduced and extended the absorption (t1/2a = 1.23 +/- 0.21 h; Cmax = 3.07 +/- 0.23 micrograms/mL; tmax = 3.34 +/- 0.21 h). The absolute bioavailability was reduced to 61.1% +/- 4.4%.