The pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol were studied after intravenous and intramuscular administration of 50 mg/kg body weight in Merino sheep. After intravenous administration, the drug was rapidly distributed extravascularly with a half-life of 10.5 +/- 8.83 min. Extensive distribution was confirmed by an apparent volume of distribution at steady state (1.5 +/- 0.43 1/kg). The elimination half-life was 3.24 +/- 0.60 h. After intramuscular injection, the absorption half-life was 44.33 +/- 19.21 min with a bioavailability of 65%. A maximum serum concentration of 15.57 +/- 3.95 micrograms/ml was determined 2 h after administration. Serum concentrations above 5 micrograms/ml were maintained for approximately 12 h with an elimination half-life of 5.75 +/- 1.25 h, longer than the half-life obtained after intravenous administration. In conclusion, the intramuscular administration of chloramphenical at a dose rate of 50 mg/kg permitted the maintenance of inhibitory concentrations of the antibiotic for the majority of Salmonella and Pasteurella isolates for at least 12 h.