A study of the pharmacokinetics and thromboxane inhibitory activity of a single intramuscular dose of carprofen as a means to establish its potential use as an analgesic drug in white rhinoceros

Leiberich, M; Krebber, R; Hewetson, M; Marais, J; Naidoo, V

Abstract

The alleviation of pain and prevention of suffering are key aspects of animal welfare. Unfortunately, analgesic drugs are not available for all species. White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), representing one of such species, which survive poaching attempts inflicted with severe facial injuries and gunshot wounds, nonetheless require analgesic support. To improve treatment conditions, this study explored the use of carprofen for the treatment of pain and inflammation in white rhinoceros. The pharmacokinetics of 1 mg/kg intramuscular carprofen was evaluated in six healthy white rhinoceros. The half‐life of λz and mean residence time was 105.71 ± 15.67 and 155.01 ± 22.46 hr, respectively. The area under the curve and the maximum carprofen concentration were 904.61 ± 110.78 μg ml−1 hr−1 and 5.77 ± 0.63 μg/ml, respectively. Plasma TXB2 inhibition demonstrated anti‐inflammatory properties and indicated that carprofen may be effective for a minimum of 48 hr in most animals. With its long half‐life further indicating that a single dose could be effective for several days, we suggest that carprofen may be a useful drug for the treatment of white rhinoceros.

Citation

Leiberich, M., Krebber, R., Hewetson, M., Marais, J., & Naidoo, V. (2018). A study of the pharmacokinetics and thromboxane inhibitory activity of a single intramuscular dose of carprofen as a means to establish its potential use as an analgesic drug in white rhinoceros. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 41(4), 605-613. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.12508

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 14, 2018
• Publication Date: Apr 24, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jun 1, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 21, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Print ISSN: 0140-7783
• Publisher: American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 605-613
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.12508
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1387537