Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) after single intravenous and intramuscular injections

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam after single IV and IM injections in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). ANIMALS 8 healthy red-eared slider turtles. PROCEDURES Turtles received 1 dose of meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) IV or IM (4 turtles/route), a 30-day washout period was provided, and then turtles received the same dose by the opposite route. Blood samples were collected at predetermined times for measurement of plasma meloxicam concentration. Pharmacokinetic values for each administration route were determined with a 2-compartment open model approach. RESULTS For IV administration, mean ± SD values of major pharmacokinetic variables were 1.02 ± 0.41 hours for distribution half-life, 9.78 ± 2.23 hours for elimination half-life, 215 ± 32 mL/kg for volume of distribution at steady state, 11.27 ± 1.44 μg•h/mL for area under the plasma concentration versus time curve, and 18.00 ± 2.32 mL/h/kg for total body clearance. For IM administration, mean values were 0.35 ± 0.06 hours for absorption half-life, 0.72 ± 0.06 μg/mL for peak plasma concentration, 1.5 ± 0.0 hours for time to peak concentration, 3.73 ± 2.41 hours for distribution half-life, 13.53 ± 1.95 hours for elimination half-life, 11.33 ± 0.92 μg•h/mL for area under the plasma concentration versus time curve, and 101 ± 6% for bioavailability. No adverse reactions were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Long half-life, high bioavailability, and lack of immediate adverse reactions of meloxicam administered IM at 0.2 mg/kg suggested the possibility of safe and effective clinical use in turtles. Additional studies are needed to establish appropriate administration frequency and clinical efficacy.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of meloxicam in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) broodstock following intravascular, intramuscular, and oral administrations

“…The t 1/2ʎz of meloxicam following IV administration in rainbow trout at 11 ± 1.2°C was 3.63 h, which was longer than that previously reported in Nile tilapia (1.36 h, 23.3–24.4°C; Fredholm et al, 2016). The t 1/2ʎz of meloxicam is highly variable in mammals (1.22–40.2 h; Kimble et al, 2013; Wasfi et al, 2012), avian species (0.49–31.4 h; Lacasse et al, 2013; Montesinos et al, 2016), and reptiles (9.78–38.50 h; Lai et al, 2015; Uney et al, 2016). Because fish are heterothermic, their physiology and metabolism are affected by the water temperature, and low water temperatures prolong the t 1/2ʎz of drugs (Samuelsen, 2006; Sneddon, 2012; Toutain et al, 2010).…”

“…Although it is recommended for use in painful and inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis, soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, respiratory infections, and acute mastitis in animals (CVMP, 2006; Larouche et al, 2018), studies on its therapeutic efficacy in fish are insufficient. Meloxicam has shown highly variable pharmacokinetic properties, such as bioavailability and elimination half‐life in mammalian, avian, and reptilian species (Montesinos et al, 2016; Uney et al, 2016; De Vito et al, 2018). In addition, anatomical, physiological, and environmental (water temperature) differences between fish species may change the pharmacokinetics of drugs (Corum et al, 2020).…”

Effect of castration procedure on the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in goat kids

“…Plasma concentrations of meloxicam were assayed using a modified HPLC‐UV method as previously reported (Uney, Altan, Aboubakr, Cetin, & Dik, 2016). The HPLC, which was controlled by a CBM‐20A system, consisted of a LC‐20AT pump, an SIL 20A autosampler, a DGU‐20A degasser, a CTO‐10A column oven, and UV‐VIS detector (SPD‐20A).…”

A Critical Review on the Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Opioid Drugs Used in Reptiles

“…b ( Lai et al., 2015 ) IM, IV 0.2 mg/kg c single dose Y Red-eared Sliders Pharmacokinetic study on MLX in the sliders. ≈ ( Uney et al., 2016 ) SC 1 mg/kg d single dose N Kemp's Ridley, Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles Pharmacokinetic study on MLX in the turtles. f ≈ ( Norton et al., 2021 ) KETOPROFEN (KTP) IM, IV e 2 mg/kg c single dose Y Loggerhead Sea Turtles Pharmacokinetic study on KTP in the turtles.…”

“… 4.24 ± 1.89 ( Norton et al., 2021 ) e Red-eared slider turtles IV 0.2 mg/kg single dose 18.00 ± 2.32 9.78 ± 2.23 0.22 ± 0.03 c N.R. ( Uney et al., 2016 ) IV 0.22 x mg/kg 19 7.57 0.18 c N.R. ( Rojo-Solis et al., 2009 ) IM 0.2 mg/kg single dose N.R.…”