CROSS-SPECIES VARIATION IN ZOO ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY

Abstract

This paper examined the response of zoo animals that belong to various species to drugs by integrating pharmacokinetic modelling with behavioural tests based on multiple classes of medicinal drugs.  Serious review of veterinary data assisted in the selection of the species and drugs, and it was scaled allometrically to modify the dose schedule.  Blood samples in set partition were taken following controlled drug delivery and exponential functions of plasma concentration were simulated by taking exponential decay functions. Concurrently, behavioural observations were recorded in order to obtain qualitative indicators of drug effects.  Quantitative analysis revealed that significant differences existed in pharmacokinetic values including, clearance rate, maximum plasma concentration, and elimination half-life, across species.  Also behavioural studies indicated that various animals possessed variable forms of sedation, activity fluctuation, and alteration in the social interaction. Not all these trends could be associated with changes in pharmacokinetics.  Mixed-effects model revealed that the kind of species determined a major factor in the distribution of drugs and responsiveness. This indicates the significance of a personalised dosing technique.  The overall methodological approach allowed the robust comparison of species to be made, and this aspect also served to enhance veterinarian assistance to the animals in zoos.  These findings illustrate the relevance of applying a species-specific pharmacological tool in zoological medication to enhance effectiveness of interventions as well as the wellbeing of animals.