Comparative pharmacokinetics of amikacin in Greyhound and Beagle dogs

The purpose of the study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of amikacin administered i.v., to Greyhound and Beagle dogs and determine amikacin pharmacokinetics administered subcutaneously to Greyhounds. Amikacin was administered i.v. at 10 mg/kg to six healthy Greyhounds and six healthy Beagles. The Greyhounds also received amikacin, 10 mg/kg s.c. Plasma was sampled at predetermined time points and amikacin concentrations determined by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA).
The volume of distribution was significantly smaller in Greyhounds (mean = 176.5 mL/kg) compared to Beagles (234.0 mL/kg). The C ₀ and AUC were significantly larger in Greyhounds (86.03 μg/mL and 79.97 h·μg/mL) compared to Beagles (69.97 μg/mL and 50.04 h·μg/mL). The plasma clearance was significantly lower in Greyhounds (2.08 mL/min/kg) compared to Beagles (3.33 mL/min/kg). The fraction of the dose absorbed after s.c. administration to Greyhounds was 0.91, the mean absorption time was 0.87 h, and the mean maximum plasma concentration was 27.40 μg/mL at 0.64 h.
Significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of amikacin in Greyhounds indicate it should be administered at a lower dose compared to Beagles. The dose in Greyhounds to achieve a C _max: AUC  ≥ 8 for bacteria (with an MIC  ≤ 4 μg/mL) is 12 mg/kg q24 h compared to 22 mg/kg q24 in Beagles.