SERUM OXYTETRACYCLINE LEVELS IN FREE-RANGING MALE AFRICAN ELEPHANTS (LOXODONTA-AFRICANA) INJECTED WITH A LONG-ACTING FORMULATION

Thirteen adult free-living male African elephants (Loxodonta africana) were anesthetized and given 20-100 g of a long-acting oxytetracycline (OTC) preparation either i.m. or i.v. Five dosages were established b ased on body measurements (the sum of the body length and the girth in centimeters). Serum concentrations of OTC were measured 48 hr after i njection. Serum concentrations greater than or equal to 0.5 mu g/ml we re measured in 11 of 12 elephants receiving OTC dosages of 52-133 mg/c m either i.v. or i.m. The i.m. administration route produced serum con centrations from 0.75-1.6 mu g/ml in four of four elephants. A dosage of 60-80 mg/cm i.m. or i.v. should provide a therapeutic serum concent ration of OTC for at least 48 hr. The use of an i.v. catheter avoids m ultiple i.m. injections of large drug volumes.