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 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, 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.  
   
   
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       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.  
   
   
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       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.    
   
   
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