The gastrointestinal (GI) distribution and plasma disposition kinetics of albendazole (ABZ) metabolites after oral administration of netobimin (NTB) to cattle were studied. Eight Holstein steers (150-180 kg) were surgically fitted with permanent cannulae in the rumen, abomasum and ileum. After post-surgical recovery, the animals were treated orally with a suspension of netobimin zwitterion (400 mg/ml) at 20 mg/kg. Jugular blood and ruminal, abomasal and ileal fluid samples were taken serially over a 96 h period and analysed by HPLC for NTB and its metabolites, including ABZ, ABZ sulphoxide (ABZSO), ABZ sulphone (ABZSO2) and amino-albendazole sulphone (NH2ABZSO2). NTB parent drug was only found in the GI tract and for only 12-18 h post-treatment. ABZSO and ABZSO2 were the main metabolites found in plasma, being present for 30-36 h. These metabolites were exchanged between plasma and different GI fluids and were greatly concentrated in the abomasum. This phenomenon may account for the presence of ABZ, ABZSO and ABZSO2 in the GI tract for 72 h post-treatment despite the fact that ABZ was not detected in plasma and ABZSO and ABZSO2 were detected for only 30-36 h in plasma. The presence of ABZ and ABZSO in the abomasum and intestine for this extended period of time is probably relevant for anthelmintic efficacy against GI parasites. The NH2 ABZSO2 metabolite was detected in plasma, abomasum and ileum and its disposition kinetics were characterized for the first time.