Veterinary delivery systems and methods of delivering effective agents to animals

Abstract

A veterinary delivery system in the form of a pliable film comprising at least one binder, at least one lubricant, at least one solvent for the binder and lubricant, and an effective amount of at least one effective agent. According to one embodiment, a flavorant is included in a pliable hydrophilic film in order to enhance oral acceptability by the animal. In other embodiments, the films preferably have a moisture content of about 2-15%, preferably about 3-7% by weight. The hydrophilic films most preferably have at least one effective agent distributed homogeneously throughout the film. Also disclosed are methods of delivering veterinary delivery systems wherein a pliable, hydrophilic film comprising at least one effective agent is placed within the oral cavity of an animal.

1 . A veterinary delivery system comprising: 
 a pliable film comprising at least one binder, at least one lubricant, at least one solvent for said binder and said lubricant, and an effective amount of at least one effective agent.    
     
     
         2 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said effective agent is a pharmaceutically active component.  
     
     
         3 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said effective agent is a therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         4 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said effective agent is a cosmetic agent.  
     
     
         5 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said film further comprises a flavorant.  
     
     
         6 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 2  wherein said flavorant is selected from the group consisting of genuine and artificial beef, chicken, liver, bacon, cheese, apple, smoke and fish flavorants, mint flavorants and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said film has a moisture content of not greater than about 15% by weight.  
     
     
         8 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said film has a moisture content of about 3%-7% by weight.  
     
     
         9 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said film has a moisture content of about 4-6% by weight.  
     
     
         10 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said film has a moisture content of about 4.5%-5.5% by weight.  
     
     
         11 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said lubricant is selected from the group consisting of glycerins, glycols, oils and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said lubricant comprises propylene glycol.  
     
     
         13 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said lubricant comprises a fish oil.  
     
     
         14 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said lubricant comprises a vegetable oil.  
     
     
         15 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said binder comprises polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         16 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said binder comprises a methylcellulose.  
     
     
         17 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said binder comprises hydroxypropyl methycellulose.  
     
     
         18 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said film further comprises a filler.  
     
     
         19 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 18  wherein said filler is selected from the group consisting of cornmeal, cornstarch, potato starch, bone meal, corn syrup, wheat germ, brewers yeast, xanthan gum, carrageenan and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         20 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said effective a gent is selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral agents, vaccines, wormers, heartwormers, nutritional supplements, hypothyroidism medication, arthritis medication, agents for the control of tartar and plaque, incontinence medication, pain relievers, agents for treatment of bacterial diseases and coccidiosis, nutritional supplements and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         21 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said solvent comprises water.  
     
     
         22 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said solvent comprises an organic solvent.  
     
     
         23 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 22  wherein said solvent comprises ethanol.  
     
     
         24 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said film further comprises at least one preservative.  
     
     
         25 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 24  wherein said preservative is selected from the group consisting of methyl paraben, propylparaben, ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA), stearic acid, diazolidinyl urea, imdiazolidinyl urea, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         26 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein at least one pharmaceutically active component is soluble in said solvent.  
     
     
         27 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein at least one pharmaceutically active component is not soluble in said solvent.  
     
     
         28 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 27  wherein said film has a moisture content of not greater than about 15% by weight.  
     
     
         29 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 27  wherein said film has a moisture content of about 3%-7% by weight.  
     
     
         30 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 23  wherein said film has a moisture content of about 4%-6% by weight.  
     
     
         31 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 23  wherein said film has a moisture content of about 4.5%-5.5% by weight.  
     
     
         32 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said effective agent is distributed homogeneously throughout said film.  
     
     
         33 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said effective agent is distributed on one side of said film.  
     
     
         34 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 33  wherein said effective agent is distributed homogeneously on one side of said film.  
     
     
         35 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 33  wherein said effective agent is distributed non-homogeneously on one side of said film.  
     
     
         36 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said effective agent is distributed non-homogeneously throughout said film.  
     
     
         37 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said effective agent is disposed within micro-capsules distributed throughout said film.  
     
     
         38 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of pharmaceutically active components.  
     
     
         39 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  comprising at least one pharmaceutically active agent and a cosmetic agent.  
     
     
         40 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  comprising at least one therapeutic agent and at least one cosmetic agent.  
     
     
         41 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said pliable film is hydrophilic.  
     
     
         42 . A veterinary care delivery system comprising: 
 a pliable film comprising:    at least one binder;    at least one lubricant;    at least one solvent for said binder and said lubricant;    an effective amount of at least one effective agent; and    at least one flavorant.    
     
     
         43 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said pliable film is hydrophilic.  
     
     
         44 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said flavorant is selected from the group consisting of genuine and artificial beef, chicken, liver, bacon, cheese, apple, smoke, mint and fish flavorants and combinations.  
     
     
         45 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said film having a moisture content of up to about 15% by weight.  
     
     
         46 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said film has a moisture content of about 3%-7% by weight.  
     
     
         47 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said lubricant is selected from the group consisting of glycerins, glycols, oils, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         48 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said lubricant comprises propylene glycol.  
     
     
         49 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said lubricant comprises a fish oil.  
     
     
         50 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said lubricant comprises a vegetable oil.  
     
     
         51 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said binder is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, methylcelluloses, gelatins, starches, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         52 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said binder comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.  
     
     
         53 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said binder comprises a gelatin.  
     
     
         54 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said binder comprises a starch.  
     
     
         55 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said binder comprises polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         56 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said film further comprises a filler.  
     
     
         57 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 56  wherein said filler is selected from the group consisting of cornmeal, cornstarch, potato starch, bone meal, corn syrup, wheat germ, brewers yeast, xanthan gum, carrageenan and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         58 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said effective agent is selected from the group consisting of antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-viral agents, vaccines, wormers, heartwormers, nutritional supplements, hypothyroidism medication, arthritis medication, agents for the control of tartar and plaque, incontinence medication, pain relievers, agents for treatment of bacterial diseases and coccidiosis, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         59 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said solvent comprises water.  
     
     
         60 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said solvent comprises an organic solvent.  
     
     
         61 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 60  wherein said solvent comprises ethanol.  
     
     
         62 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said film further comprises at least one preservative.  
     
     
         63 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 62  wherein said preservative is selected from the group consisting of methyl paraben, propylparaben, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), stearic acid, diazolidinyl urea, imdiazolidinyl urea and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         64 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein at least one effective agent is soluble in said solvent.  
     
     
         65 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein at least one effective agent is not soluble in said solvent.  
     
     
         66 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  wherein said effective agent is distributed homogeneously throughout said film.  
     
     
         67 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  comprising a plurality of effective agents.  
     
     
         68 . A veterinary care delivery system according to  claim 42  comprising at least one pharmaceutically active agent and a cosmetic agent.  
     
     
         69 . A veterinary delivery system according to  claim 42  comprising at least one therapeutic agent and at least one cosmetic agent.  
     
     
         70 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pliable film comprising at least one binder, at least one lubricant, at least one solvent for said binder and said lubricant, and an effective amount of at least one effective agent; and    placing said film within the oral cavity of said animal.    
     
     
         71 . A method of delivery an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of providing a pliable film comprises providing a hydrophilic film.  
     
     
         72 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of placing said film within the oral cavity of an animal comprises placing said film on an insert device and placing at least a portion of said insert device within the oral cavity of said animal.  
     
     
         73 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of placing said film within the oral cavity of an animal comprises adhering said film to the tongue of said animal.  
     
     
         74 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of placing said film within the oral cavity of an animal comprises adhering said film to buccal membrane in said oral cavity of said animal.  
     
     
         75 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of providing a film comprises providing a film comprising a flavorant.  
     
     
         76 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of providing a film comprises providing a film having a moisture content not greater than about 15% by weight.  
     
     
         77 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of providing a film comprises providing a film having a moisture content of about 3%-7% by weight.  
     
     
         78 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of providing a film comprises providing a film having a moisture content of about 4%-6% by weight.  
     
     
         79 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of providing a film comprises providing a film having a moisture content of about 4.5%-5.5% by weight.  
     
     
         80 . A method of delivering an effective agent to an animal according to  claim 70  wherein said step of placing said film comprises the step of adhering the film to the animal.