Intramammary Veterinary Composition

Abstract

A seal formulation for forming a physical barrier in the teat canal of a non-human animal comprises zinc oxide in a gel base. The seal formulation contains at least 40% by weight of the zinc oxide.

Claims

1. A seal formulation for forming a physical barrier in the teat canal of a non-human animal comprising zinc oxide in a gel base wherein the seal formulation contains at least 40% by weight of zinc oxide.

2. A seal formulation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seal formulation contains from 40% to 70% by weight of the zinc oxide.

3. A seal formulation as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a thixotrophic agent.

4. A seal formulation as claimed in claim 3 wherein the seal formulation contains from 0.1% to 1.5% of the thixotrophic agent.

5. A seal formulation as claimed in claim 3 wherein the seal formulation contains from 0.6 to 1.0% of the thixotrophic agent.

6. A seal formulation as claimed in claim 3 wherein the seal formulation contains approximately 0.8% of the thixotrophic agent.

7. A seal formulation as claimed in claim 3 wherein the thixotrophic agent comprises colloidal anhydrous silica.

8. Use of a seal formulation, comprising zinc oxide in a gel base, in the preparation of a medicament for forming a physical barrier in a teat canal for prophylactically controlling infection of the mammary gland in a non-human animal by a mastitis-causing organism.

9. Use as claimed in claim 8 wherein said prophylaxis does not involve the use of an antibiotic.

10. Use as claimed in claim 8 wherein the seal formulation does not contain any other anti-infective.

11. Use as claimed in claim 8 wherein the seal formulation contains from 40% to 70% by weight of the zinc oxide.

12. Use as claimed in claim 8 wherein the seal formulation further comprises a thixotrophic agent.

13. Use as claimed in claim 12 wherein the seal formulation contains from 0.1% to 1.5% of the thixotrophic agent.

14. Use as claimed in claim 12 wherein the seal formulation contains from 0.6 to 1.0% of the thixotrophic agent.

15. Use as claimed in claim 12 wherein the seal formulation contains approximately 0.8% of the thixotrophic agent.

16. Use as claimed in claim 12 wherein the thixotrophic agent comprises colloidal anhydrous silica.

17. Use as claimed in claim 8 wherein the base is a gel based on aluminium stearate.

18. Use as claimed in claim 8 wherein the base includes liquid paraffin as a vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS.

[0039] FIGS. 1 to 5 are X-ray images of the teats of a cow over a period after administration of a teat seal of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only.

EXAMPLE 1

[0041]

TABLE-US-00001 Component Quantity per g Quantity (% w/w) Zinc Oxide 547.0 mg 54.7% Colloidal Anhydrous silica 8.0 mg 0.8% Aluminium di/tri stearate 62.5 mg 6.25% Liquid paraffin, Heavy q.s. 1 g q.s. 100%

[0042] The formulation above was prepared by the following process:

[0043] Liquid paraffin, heavy is added to a vessel.

[0044] Aluminium di-/tri stearate is added to the liquid paraffin, heavy, stirred and heated to a minimum of 130 C.

[0045] The mixture is maintained at this temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes.

[0046] The mixture is cooled to below 55 C.

[0047] While stirring, Zinc Oxide is added to the vessel and mixed until homogenous.

[0048] Colloidal anhydrous silica is then added and mixed until homogenous.

[0049] The product is then filled into intramammary syringes.

[0050] The filled syringes are sterilised by gamma irradiation at a minimum dose of 25 kGy.

EXAMPLE 2

[0051] Two quarters of an uninfected cow were infused at drying off using a syringe containing the seal formulation of example 1.

[0052] X rays of the quarters were taken at days 0, 7, 14, 20 and 28 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0053] It will be seen form these radiographs that the seal persisted very well in the teats throughout the period of investigation thus ensuring that the teats remained sealed off against any potential bacterial ingress.

[0054] After day 28 the seals were stripped from the quarters and were harvested into sample containers for examination. The recovered seal, when compared to its appearance and characteristics pre-infusion, was found to have maintained its appearance and consistency.

[0055] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, which may be varied in detail.