Comparative pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in lactating dairy cows and beef steers following intravenous administration of enrofloxacin.

The comparative pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin were investigated in lactating cows and beef steers. The plasma elimination half-life of either enrofloxacin or ciprofloxacin was shorter in cows than in steers. The overall production of ciprofloxacin was slightly higher in steers than in cows (metabolite ratio: 64% and 59%, respectively). There was no significant difference in plasma protein binding of enrofloxacin between cows (percent bound: 59.4%) and steers (percent bound: 60.8%). Ciprofloxacin was more extensively bound to plasma proteins in steers (percent bound: 49.6%) than in cows (percent bound: 33.8%). The steady state volume of distribution of enrofloxacin is comparable in cows (1.55 L/kg) and steers (1.59 L/kg). Within either bovine class, plasma elimination half-life of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin are comparable, while plasma protein binding was higher for enrofloxacin than for ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin was more concentrated in milk than enrofloxacin.