Furosemide kinetics in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Furosemide kinetics was studied in camels (Camelus dromedarms). The drug was injected intramuscularly (i.m.) and intravenously (i.v.) at doses of 0.5 mg/kg or 1.5 mg/kg. The mean terminal elimination half life ranged from 50.2 min (0.5 mg/kg, i.m.) to 119 min (1.5 mg/kg, i.v.). The average systemic clearance and the steady state volume of distribution were higher when the 1.5 mg/kg dose was administered. Peak furosemide plasma concentration was achieved in about 20 min after i.m. dosing. The glucuronide metabolite of furosemide was not detected in plasma. The mean absolute bioavailability of furosemide administered i.m. ranged from 47% (0.5 mg/kg) to 71% (1.5 mg/kg). It appears that some aspects of the kinetics of furosemide in camels may be different from that in other animals such as the horse.