General and Systematic Veterinary Pharmacology

PHARMACOKINETICS

• Absorption differs among the digoxin preparations.
• Prepared digitalis causes local irritation and vomiting in pig and dog and for these species digitalis glycoside should be given.
• In ruminants, oral administration of glycosides leads to destruction of the drug and hence it is preferable to give the drug parenterally.
• Plasma protein binding is high with digitoxin.
• Excretion of the drug is by the kidneys.
• Enterohepatic recycling increases the duration of action of the drug.
• The use of these drugs in dogs and cats is not uncommon.
• However, the absorption of digoxin from the gastrointestinal tract though adequate may differ somewhat among animals and can be influenced by feeding times.