New Technologies for Application to Veterinary Therapeutics

Abstract

The purpose of this contribution is to review new technologies and make an educated prediction as to how they will impact veterinary pharmacology over the coming decades. By examining past developments, it becomes evident that change is incremental and predictable unless either a transforming discovery or a change in societal behaviour occurs. In the last century, both discoveries and behaviours have dramatically changed medicine, pharmacology and therapeutics. In this chapter, the potential effects of six transforming technologies on veterinary therapeutics are examined: continued advances in computer technology, microfluidics, nanotechnology, high-throughput screening, control and targeted drug delivery and pharmacogenomics. These should lead to the more efficacious and safer use of existing medicants, and the development of novel drugs across most therapeutic classes through increases in our knowledge base, as well as more efficient drug development. Although this growth in technology portends major advances over the next few decades, economic and regulatory constraints must still be overcome for these new drugs or therapeutic approaches to become common practise.

Veterinary pharmacology: history, current status and future prospects

“…Riviere () and Mosher and Court () have reviewed recent advances in comparative and veterinary pharmacogenomics. It is clear that further advances in genomics, proteomics and metabolomics will be fundamental to development of the next generation of more efficacious, selective, safer and targeted veterinary drugs.…”

“…Riviere (2007) points out that a commercial application of microneedles, which puncture the skin without the chance of contamination or production of any sensation, may provide a novel means of transdermal drug delivery. Riviere (2010) and Mosher and Court (2010) have reviewed recent advances in comparative and veterinary pharmacogenomics. It is clear that further advances in genomics, proteomics and metabolomics will be fundamental to development of the next generation of more efficacious, selective, safer and targeted veterinary drugs.…”

“…An international leader in the discipline of veterinary pharmacology recently predicted advances in veterinary therapeutics, based on six new transforming technologies (Riviere, , ). These are summarized in Table .…”

Side Effects to Systemic Glucocorticoid Therapy in Dogs Under Primary Veterinary Care in the UK

“…Glucocorticoids are commonly used in companion animal veterinary practice as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents ( 1 , 2 ). However, glucocorticoids have been associated with various side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, bodyweight gain or loss, polyuria, polydipsia, delayed wound healing, behavioral problems, immunosuppression and predisposition to infection ( 3 , 4 ).…”

“…There is some published evidence on side effects that may occur following systemic glucocorticoid usage. Systemic glucocorticoid treatment has been associated with predisposition to infection ( 5 , 6 ) immunosuppression and decreased urine osmolality ( 1 , 2 , 7 ). Glucocorticoid treatment has been associated with increased risk of urinary tract infection among dogs with skin disease ( 5 , 6 , 8 ).…”