Abstract

Plasma amikacin concentrations were determined for 16 hospitalized Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that were treated with amikacin sulfate (5 mg/kg IM every three days). A sparse-sampling protocol was used to limit the amount of blood obtained from each animal, with samples collected at three time points for each individual up to 72 hours after the initial dose. To evaluate the possibility of drug accumulation, plasma concentrations were also determined at 24, 48, or 72 hours after the final injection, with treatment duration determined by the attending veterinarians based on clinical status (mean 13 doses administered, range 2–26). Plasma amikacin concentrations were measured using an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography assay with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. Plasma concentrations were highly variable but exceeded target maximal concentrations (Cmax: MIC of eight) in ten out of 16 individuals. Plasma concentrations after the final treatment indicated no evidence of drug accumulation. Results indicate that amikacin may be useful for management of susceptible bacterial infections in Kemp's ridley sea turtles, but additional studies are warranted to determine optimal dosing schemes.