The Bombay Technologist

Oral Drug Delivery Systems in Ruminant Animals

Khushboo Belani

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology

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Abstract

Ruminant animals like cattle, sheep, goat, etc. are commercially the most essential group of animals and are widely kept by human beings all over the world. With an increase in variety and popularity of products obtained from these species, their health also becomes an important consideration. Ruminants are animals with a distinct digestive system. The unique anatomy and physiology of these animals provides many challenges for their drug delivery. Animals, either large or small are difficult to handle and thus drug administration becomes a hassle for the caretaker and hurtful for the animal. However, the process of rumination along with their unusual four compartmental stomachs offers opportunities for controlled and sustained release delivery of drugs in these animals. This reduces the number of doses and makes the administration of a large variety of drugs possible. Taking advantage of this opportunity many formulations have been developed. However, there still remains tremendous scope for better and more efficient drug delivery systems for ruminants. This article talks about ruminant animals, their healthcare, devices used for drug administration, various oral formulations administered to them, with special emphasis to intraruminal devices- their mechanism and delivery.