Pharmacokinetics of tetracycline hydrochloride after single intravenous injection in dogs

Six mixed-breed apparently healthy dogs were intravenously administered a single dose of tetracycline hydrochloride (50 mg/kg) to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug. Blood samples were collected before and at various time intervals after the administration of the drug. Serum tetracycline concentrations were determined over a 24 h period using fluorescence spectrophotometry. Non-compartmental analysis of the data indicated that tetracycline has a half-life of 4.4 h, a body clearance of around 0.7 ml/kg.min and a volume of distribution of about 0.3 L/kg. The pharmacokinetics of tetracycline found in this study is favourable for therapeutic use in the dog.