Bovine supplement for neonatal calves

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a feed supplement preparation for administration to ruminant animals and, more particularly, to a formulation for an oral bovine supplement for neonatal calves that delivers naturally occurring caffeine, antioxidants and other electrolytes in a stable liquid form of moderate viscosity.

Claims

1. A neonatal bovine dietary supplement that delivers a dose of a naturally occurring source of caffeine to a neonatal calf, the supplement comprising non-synthetic caffeine in the form of green tea extract which is present in an amount of 1-15% wt, and a viscosity adjustor in liquid form, wherein a viscosity of the supplement is 400-800 centipoise at 21 degrees Celsius such that the supplement is absorbed through the oral mucosal lining of the neonatal calf.

2. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1, wherein the viscosity adjustor comprises corn syrup and xanthan gum.

3. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1 further comprising sodium citrate and vegetable oil defoaming agent for facilitating suspension of the green tea extract in the supplement.

4. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 3, wherein the sodium citrate is sodium citrate dihydrate.

5. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1 further comprising an antioxidant.

6. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 1 further comprising electrolytes.

7. The neonatal bovine dietary supplement of claim 6, wherein the electrolytes comprise sodium citrate or sodium citrate dihydrate.

8. A neonatal bovine dietary supplement that delivers a dose of a naturally occurring source of caffeine to a neonatal calf, the supplement comprising non-synthetic caffeine in the form of green tea extract, and a viscosity adjustor in liquid form, wherein a viscosity of the supplement is 400-800 centipoise at 21 degrees Celsius such that the supplement is absorbed through the oral mucosal lining of the neonatal calf, wherein the green tea extract contains a concentrated amount of caffeine so that a 10-40 ml liquid dose of the supplement delivers 100-400 mg caffeine to the neonatal calf.

9. A neonatal bovine dietary supplement that delivers a dose of a naturally occurring source of caffeine to a neonatal calf, the supplement comprising green tea extract, xanthan gum, corn syrup, and water, wherein the corn syrup is present in the supplement in an amount of 40-75% wt, and wherein the viscosity of the supplement is 400-800 centipoise at 21 degrees Celsius such that the supplement is absorbed through the oral mucosal lining of the neonatal calf.

10. A neonatal bovine dietary supplement that delivers a dose of a naturally occurring source of caffeine to a neonatal calf, the supplement comprising green tea extract, xanthan gum, corn syrup, and water, wherein the green tea extract in the supplement is about 2-3% wt.

11. A method of use of a neonatal bovine dietary supplement containing a naturally occurring source of caffeine for a new-born calf, said method comprising: (a) being presented with a new-born calf suffering from bovine dystocia; (b) administering to the calf a dose of the supplement comprising non-synthetic caffeine and a viscosity adjustor in liquid form, wherein a viscosity of the supplement is 400-800 centipoise at 21 degrees Celsius; and (c) wherein the supplement is absorbed through the oral mucosal lining of the calf.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the naturally occurring caffeine is provided by a green tea extract.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the viscosity adjustor comprises corn syrup and xanthan gum.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the supplement dose comprises 10-40 ml of liquid and the dose of the supplement delivers 100-400 mg caffeine to the neonatal calf.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(1) The present invention provides a unique formulation for a neonatal bovine calf supplement to be administered following birth that delivers naturally occurring antioxidants, caffeine and electrolytes. The supplement successfully incorporates xanthan gum and a concentrated dose of caffeine which remains shelf stable in a liquid form and this has greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the supplement.

(2) The present invention further has successfully added naturally occurring caffeine in the form of green tea in a liquid of moderate viscosity. The supplement not only provides needed energy, stimulates respiration, reduces edema, but it also stimulates muscle contraction. In this manner, the supplement treats the three biggest problems encountered by hypoxic calves—lethargy, respiratory rate, and high concentrations of adenosine. The supplement addresses potential survivability of calf through the effect of treatment.

(3) One successful formula had the following range of ingredients.

(4) TABLE-US-00001 INGREDIENT MIN % MAX % Water   25.00%   55.00% Green Tea    1.00%   15.00% Sodium Citrate Dihydrate    1.00%   10.00% Polysorbate 80 Liquid    0.05%    3.00% Vegetable oil defoaming    0.00%    2.00% agent         Cassia Oil    0.05%    0.75% Corn Syrup Blend   40.00%   75.00% Citric Acid    0.50%    3.00% Xanthan Gum    0.05%    5.00% FD&C Blue Dye  ~.005%  ~.005%

(5) A successful product has about 2-3% green tea, 2-3% sodium citrate and less than 1% xanthan gum. A typical dose is 10-40 ml liquid solution and contains about 100-400 mg caffeine per dose. The supplement is a homogeneous solution when heated and packaged that becomes a suspension at room temperature. The solution is preferably bottled when warm. The supplement is shelf-stable and does not require a factory vacuum seal and it does not grow mold, yeast or bacteria. Cassia oil (cinnamon aldehyde), a flavor enhancer, also acts as a preservative.

(6) This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use embodiments of the example as required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different devices and that various modifications can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.