The pharmacokinetics of thiamphenicol were investigated in 10 calves and six lactating cows. It was found that this drug is rapidly absorbed (15 min) following intramuscular injection with an absorption rate constant and a bioavailability of 8.7 h-1 and 84%, respectively. The drug appears to be widely distributed into various body fluids, yielding a volume of distribution (Vd(area) of approximately 0.9 l/kg. The micro-rate constants indicated that the antibiotic rapidly diffuses into the peripheral compartment (k12 > k21). Elimination from plasma is relatively rapid, with a biological half-life of about 1.75 h. Thiamphenicol appears shortly in milk (15 min) after its intravenous administration, and gives milk to plasma concentration ratios greater than one between 4 and 12 h.