Pharmacokinetics of Ketoprofen in Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract

The efficacy and economics of antibiotic treatment of clinical coliform mastitis have been questioned. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have received a great deal of attention as an alternative to antibiotic treatment of clinical coliform mastitis. NSAID have been demonstrated to relieve clinical signs of experimentally induced mastitis. NSAID may improve the outcome of clinical coliform mastitis and improve milk out, appetite, and increase food and water consumption.

Ketoprofen is a propionic acid derivative with potent NSAID properties. Ketoprofen has been shown to have a very high therapeutic index and is labeled for veterinary use in horses in the USA Ketoprofen may be effective in reducing clinical signs of acute coliform mastitis, but has not been studied extensively in cattle. Pharmacokinetic, residue, efficacy, and safety studies are needed before ketoprofen can be used appropriately in cattle.

Ketoprofen was administered to clinically normal lactating Holsteins (1.5 mg/lb). Milk and blood was collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 25, 40, 60, 90,120,240,360,480, and 720 minutes after ketoprofen administration. A computer polyexponential curve stripping program was used to fit ketoprofen concentration time data. Pharmacokinetic values for ketoprofen will be presented.