The pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (4:1) combination were studied after intravenous and intramuscular administration of single doses (25 mg kg(-1) bodyweight) to 50 pigeons. The plasma concentrations-time data were analysed by compartmental pharmacokinetics and non-compartmental methods. The disposition curves for both drugs after intravenous administration were best described by a two-compartment open model. The apparent volumes of distribution of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid were 1.77 litres kg(-1) and 1.30 litres kg(-1) respectively. The body clearances of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid were not significantly different. The elimination half-lives of amoxicillin after intravenous and intramuscular administration were 1.22 (0.09) hour and 1.52 (0.09) hour respectively, and those of clavulanic acid were 1.15 (0.08) hour and 1.49 (0.08) hour. After intramuscular administration both drugs had a significantly longer half-life (P<0.05) than that after the intravenous treatment. The bioavailability after the intramuscular injection was high and similar for both drugs (75.98 per cent for amoxicillin and 74.61 per cent for clavulanic acid). The mean peak plasma concentration of clavulanic acid (0.29 hour) was reached earlier than amoxicillin (0.38 hour) and peak concentrations were proportional to the dose of both products administered (5.81 mg litre(-1) of amoxicillin and 1.89 mg litre(-1) of clavulanic acid). From a single administration it is proposed that an intramuscular dosage regimen of 105 mg kg(-1) of the combination (84 mg kg(-1) of amoxicillin and 21 mg kg(-1) of clavulanic acid) every 12 hours will achieve minimum concentrations > or =0.5 mg litre(-1) (minimum inhibitory concentration of most susceptible pathogens).