SUMMARYThe pharmacokinetic behaviour of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (4:1) combination was studied after intravenous and intramuscular administration of single doses (25 mg/kg body weight) to 15 turkeys and 15 chickens. The objective was to determine whether there are differences between turkeys and chickens in the disposition kinetics of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. The plasma concentrations-time data were analysed by compartmental pharmacokinetic and non-compartmental methods. The disposition curves for both drugs after intravenous administration were best described by a two-compartment open model in turkeys and chickens. The apparent volumes of distribution of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid were similar in the two species. The body clearances of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid in turkeys were significantly slower than in chickens. The elimination half-life of amoxicillin was similar in turkeys (1.12 ±0.09 h) and chickens (1.03 ±0.11 h) after intravenous administration, but that of clavulanic acid differed significantly (P<0.05) between turkeys (1.12 ±0.03 h) and chickens (0.98 ± 0.05 h). After intramuscular administration both drugs had a significantly longer half-life (P<0.05) in turkeys and chickens than that after the intravenous treatment. The bioavailability after the intramuscular injection was high and similar with both drugs, but higher values were obtained for chickens than turkeys.

Taking into account the results of the recent study of swine farmers' health (12), it is advisable not to undertake professional activities when animals are being fed because high exposure to endotoxins can be expected. Exposure levels can be decreased by improving the construction of animal buildings and appliances, and hygienic measures. Advising the farmer in these matters, the practitioner will also contribute to a lower exposure for himself during occupational activities in animal buildings. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWe thank Glaxo B.V. (Zeist, the Netherlands) for putting Wright Peak Flow mini-meters at our disposal. A special word of thanks and appreciation is for the participating veterinarians who made this study possible. intramuscular administration were 0.32 ± 0.04 h and 0.71 ± 0.14 Ii, respectively. For sulbactam the half-lives were 0.79 ± 0.18 h and 1.13 ± 0.21 h after administration by the same routes. The bioavailability after intramuscular injection was high and similar for both drugs (98,29% REFERENCESfor ampicillin and 101.84% for sulbactam). The mean peak plasma levels of ampicillin (0.43 ± 0.27 h) and sulbactam (0.34 ± 0.14 h) were reached at a similar time, and peak concentrations were also similar and non-proportional to the dose of the products administered (11.02 ± 3.11 mg/1 of ampicillin and 9.5 ± 0.98 tng/1 of sulbactam).