The effect of citric acid on the availability of tetracyclines in calves.

The effect of citric acid on the availability of tetracyclines was studied in calves. Citric acid did not significantly increase the serum levels of tetracyclines when calves were fed low doses (6-8 mg/kg) of oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline. When the dose of chlortetracycline was increased to 50 mg/kg, addition of citric acid caused higher serum levels the first two hours after feeding. The ratio citric acid: tetracyclines was 5:1 and 25:1. The palatability of the milk replacer was reduced when large amounts of citric acid was added.