Development and pharmacokinetic evaluation of chewable doxycycline tablets in Beagle dogs: comparison with a commercial formulation and evaluation of co-administration with vitamin supplement on the bioavailability

Doxycycline (DOX) is the antibiotic of choice for the treatment of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), one of the main infectious diseases affecting dogs. Despite the therapeutic simplicity, the need for long-term use of DOX tablets (28 days) and gastrointestinal effects may pose problems. The aim of the study was to develop a DOX chewable tablet, evaluate its palatability and pharmacokinetic profile in comparison with a commercial formulation, Doxifin®, and evaluate the influence of co-administration with vitamin supplement on the bioavailability of doxycycline. The AUC0-t values found for DOX chewable tablets (13.85 ± 3.81 μg.h/mL) and Doxifin® (15.88 ± 4.38 μg.h/mL) did not differ significantly (p