In this study the disposition kinetics and plasma availability of marbofloxacin in Japanese quails after
single intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral (PO) administrations of 5 mg/kg BW were investigated.
Following IV injection, elimination half-life (t1/2β), mean value of distribution at steady state (Vdss), total body
clearance (Cltot) and mean residence time (MRT) of marbofloxacin were 4.03 h, 1.24 l/kg, 0.19 l/h/kg and 5.89 h,
respectively. Following IM and PO administration of marbofloxacin at the same dose, the peak plasma concentration
(Cmax) were 3.86 and 3.59 μg/ml, respectively, which was obtained at 1.58 and 1.60 h, the time to peak concentration
(tmax) for both routes. Elimination half-lives (t1/2el) were 6.70 and 6.19 h, respectively, and mean absorption time
(MAT) was 1.79 and 1.19 h, respectively. The systemic bioavailability following IM and PO administration were
98.72 and 87.94%, respectively. In vitro protein binding percent was 26.38%. Analysis of pharmacokinetic data
obtained in this study reveals that a dosage of 5 mg/kg BW given by IM or PO routes every 24 h in Japanese quails
might be recommended for a successful clinical effect in quails.