Diminazene: Bioavailability and disposition in bovine calves

Abstract

The pharmacokinctic behaviour of diminazene diaceturate in plasma was &ludied in 6 clinically healthy crossbred female Jersey calves. Following i/m injection @ 16 mg/kg, the volume of distribution was 1.254 ± 0.076 L/kg, total body clearance averaged 0.564 ± 0.090 ml/kg/min and elimination half-life was 31.604 ± 2.296 hr. At 0.5 hr following the injection, the plasma diminazene concentration was 20.91 ± 1.16 mug/ml which gradually declined to 6.75 ± 0.80 pg/ml at 24 hr. The study indicated that an initial i/m dose of 16 mg/kg followed by 8 mg/kg at 48-72 hr may be safe and effective in cases of babesios.