PLASMA DISPOSITION OF FLUMEQUINE IN COMMON CARP (CYPRINUS-CARPIO L, 1758), AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS-GARIEPINUS BURCHELL, 1822) AND EUROPEANEEL (ANGUILLA-ANGUILLA L, 1758) AFTER A SINGLE PERORAL ADMINISTRATION

The disposition of perorally administered flumequine in plasma was com pared between common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758), African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) and European eel (Anguilla anguill a L., 1758) respectively, at a dose of 18 mg-kg-1 body weight. All spe cies showed rapid absorption followed by biphasic plasma depletion. Si gnificant interspecies differences were observed for most of the deter mined pharmacokinetic parameters. Mean highest plasma flumequine conce ntrations were 6136 ng.ml-1 in carp, 4074 ng ml-1 in eel and 1179 ng.m l-1 in catfish. Mean distribution and elimination half-lives were 3.4 and 104.3 h for carp, 7.3 and 59.5 h for catfish and 56.7 and 451.2 h for eel. To achieve equivalent drug efficacy and to minimize the proba bility of residues as a result of medication, dosage regimes and withd rawal periods should be adapted for each species.