Classifying Animal Medications
I T IS IMPORTANT to understand the role of vaccines and
medications in disease prevention. Vaccines and
medications can be very powerful tools in combating
things like bacterial growth and influenza in animals
and humans. Without the proper use of vaccines
and medications, a rampant disease could spread
throughout a herd or infect all of the pets in the
neighborhood. Knowing which preventative
medicines to use and how to use them properly
is essential for animal owners.
Objective:
þ Examine the types and forms of drugs and vaccines used in animal disease con-
trol and their appropriate storage methods.
Key Terms:
Ñ adjuvants
antibiotics
drench
feed additive
pharmaceuticals
steroids
antigen hormone sulfa compound
biologics killed vaccine vaccine
bolus modified live vaccine
Use of Animal Medications in
Disease Control
People have been known to use vaccines and medications to prevent diseases since 200 B.C.
and likely before. The first known use of a vaccine was against smallpox in China and India. Of
course, since those times, our public health and safety institutions have come extremely far
with technological advances in preventative medicine. The first virus to be virtually eliminated
was smallpox in 1977, and now scientists are working to eliminate polio and measles across the
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globe. Vaccines and medications play a crucial role in protecting humans and animals against
viral and bacterial infections that can be extremely harmful or potentially deadly.
MAJOR CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS
Generally, there are two classifications of drugs used in disease prevention and control—
biologics and pharmaceuticals. Biologics are medicinal products derived from living sources,
such as humans, animals, or microorganisms, as opposed to chemical sources. This includes a
wide array of medical products, such as vaccines, blood and blood components, somatic cells,
gene therapy, tissues, and recombinant therapeutic proteins.
Pharmaceuticals are synthetically created drugs or medicines used to treat disease and
disorders. There are many classes of drugs used in veterinary medicine. Eleven broad areas of
medications include: central nervous system drugs, cardiovascular drugs, respiratory drugs,
kidney and urinary tract drugs, gastrointestinal agents, hormones, anti-infective drugs, blood
modifying agents, fluid and electrolyte modifiers, anticancer/immunosuppressives, and some
miscellaneous agents.
Both pharmaceuticals and biologics are important in prohibiting the spread of diseases and
illness.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF VACCINES
A vaccine is a biologic that uses a killed or debilitated organism that is capable of inducing
protection against the specific disease caused by that organism. Vaccines help prevent disease
by triggering the body’s immune system to make antibodies that will protect the animal against
the disease-causing organism if exposed to it in the future. The immune system will then be
prepared to eliminate any intrusion of a disease-causing organism when it enters the body.
Vaccines consist of a substance called an antigen, which the body’s immune system recog-
nizes as a threat and then develops antibodies to protect the body against the disease. An anti-
gen is any agent or substance that stimulates an immune response to foreign microorganisms,
including bacteria, viruses, and the toxins they produce. After a vaccine is administered and the
body develops antibodies to protect itself, it will be more prepared in the future to eliminate
any disease-causing organism that enters the body.
Of the many forms of vaccines used today, the two major types are killed vaccines and mod-
ified live vaccines. A killed vaccine is a vaccine that uses bacteria or viruses that are killed in
a laboratory by a non-disease causing agent and then administered to elicit an immune
response. Killed vaccines must have the correct amount of antigen during their administration
to elicit the body’s response. Generally, killed vaccines need more antigen than a modified live
vaccine, making it more expensive. Adjuvants are foreign materials that are mixed with a vac-
cine antigen that enhance the body’s response to the antigen.
A modified live vaccine is a vaccine that uses bacteria or viruses attenuated (weakened)
in a laboratory by a non-disease causing agent and then administered to elicit an immune
response. Modified live vaccines reproduce within the animal and require a much smaller
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amount of antigen, compared to that of killed vaccines. The benefits of modified live vaccines
are that they offer quicker protection against disease and their effects tend to last longer
because they mimic the “real disease,” but in a safer way than the animal contracting the actual
disease.
However, the virus in an injected vaccine is still living, and there are added risks in its use.
Modified live vaccines require the active infection of host cells in order to work properly.
There is a consequential, although small, risk that a modified live vaccine could revert back to
an infectious state and actually cause the disease it is trying to prevent.
Use of modified live vaccine in pregnant animals could potentially result in pregnancy loss
unless very strict adherence to label directions is followed. Generally, it is best to consult and
have guidance from a veterinarian in this process.
CLASSIFICATIONS AND FORMS OF PHARMACEUTICALS
Various types of animals, locations, illnesses, and situations make it necessary to use differ-
ent types of treatments in different forms. Often, it is much easier to vaccinate an entire herd
by giving them medicine through
their feed rather than individually
administering the drug. In other
situations, feed additives may not
work and individual vaccinations
must be given.
Classifications
Various types and forms of
medications are used for the treat-
ment and prevention of diseases.
Antibiotics are drugs that kill or
prevent the growth of bacteria.
FIGURE 1. Under certain circumstances, animals must be given vaccinations
However, most anti-bacterial individually.
antibiotics do not have an affect
on viruses, fungi, or other microbes. An estimated 70 percent of antibiotics used in the United
States are given to food animals without any diseases or illnesses. The misuse of antibiotics in
food animal production has been associated with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains
of bacteria. These resistant strains could be of concern for humans, because the resistant bacte-
ria may infect humans and there may not be an effective antibiotic to treat the disease. How-
ever, this risk is only a speculation and has not been proven, but producers are taking precau-
tions now.
Steroids are drugs composed of organic hormones used in the treatment of disease. Com-
mon steroids use hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone, cortisone, Vitamin D, and choles-
terol. A hormone is a chemical or protein that acts as a messenger or stimulatory signal that
relays instructions to stop or start certain physiological processes. Many hormones, body com-
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ponents, and drugs are considered steroids, thus the term steroid carries many different mean-
ings. Steroids may refer to the corticosteroid drugs used to reduce swelling, pain, and other
symptoms of inflammation. Overall, steroids perform many different physiological stimulating
functions and can be used to treat many disorders.
A sulfa compound, also called a sulfonamide, is a synthetic antibacterial compound capa-
ble of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and is used to prevent and treat animal diseases. Sulfa
compounds were the first antimicrobial drugs to be created, and they started an antibiotic revo-
lution in the medical field, beginning in the 1930s. Sulfa compounds were commonly used
during World War II on the open wounds of soldiers as a disinfectant. They are still used today
in various forms to treat infections. Because of common sulfonamide use in food animals and
extensive use in humans before the discovery of other antibiotics, resistance has developed in
many organisms, thereby limiting the clinical usefulness of these drugs.
Forms
Often it is necessary to use different forms of medications when administering a drug,
depending on the type or application of the drug. In some cases, drugs must be stored as a
powder or liquid in order to retain their effectiveness. In other cases, it may be easier or more
efficient to administer a drug to large numbers of animals through their food or water supply.
Overall, it is important to understand when it is appropriate to use different forms of medica-
tions.
Liquids are a form of medicine that, depending on their classification, may be given to an
animal orally or via injection. Liquid medications are usually stable at room temperature to
retain their effectiveness.
Powder used in medication is a solid that has been pulverized into particles and is used for
treatment via inhalation or injection. Often medications found in powder form are unable to
be stored in liquid form without becoming ineffective. Glucagon is often injected in diabetic
animals when their blood-sugar level becomes too low (hypoglycemic). Glucagon comes in
powder form and must first be
mixed with water before it can be
injected into an animal with low
blood sugar.
A bolus is a medication given
in a large dose in order to raise the
blood concentration of a drug to
an effective level. In veterinary
medicine, a bolus is a large
time-released tablet that stays in
the rumen of cattle, goats, and
sheep. It is generally given orally
and slowly releases a medication
or nutrient as it moves through
FIGURE 2. A bolus is often released into an animals throat by use of a balling
the digestive tract. gun.
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A drench is a type of medicine given to an animal by pouring it into its mouth. Often this
method utilizes a drenching or feeding syringe to aid in the oral administration of liquid medi-
cations.
A feed additive is a substance added to animal feed to improve its nutritional value, pro-
mote growth, or control disease. USDA Scientists have just recently created a soybean meal
feed additive that helps poultry and swine digest phosphorus more efficiently. This helps boost
nutrition and reduces the amount of potentially harmful phosphorus from escaping into the
water supply and the environment.
STORING MEDICATIONS PROPERLY
Proper storage facilities improve medication effectiveness and reduce treatment errors.
Without the right storage methods, medication can be ineffective and dangerous. Thus, medi-
cations should always be stored and used according to the directions listed on the label or with
the assistance of a veterinarian.
A major problem for drugs in the forms of tablets and powders is exposure to moisture and
air. These products should remain in airtight containers to avoid moisture buildup by storing
them in dry places. Moisture can make drugs ineffective when exposed to water or promote
the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. Air contact can promote bacteria, mold, and
fungus growth, whereas exposure to O2 and CO2 can decompose certain active ingredients.
Various medications may decompose or become ineffective when exposed to light. Manu-
facturers of these medications distribute them in light-resistant packages that help keep light
from decomposing the drug over time. It is important to keep these drugs in a lightproof stor-
age unit and avoid sun exposure.
Often liquid medicines need to be kept in certain temperature ranges in order to stay
potent. Generally, liquid medicines should remain above the freezing point and below room
temperature. Vaccines containing modified live organisms will have markedly reduced effec-
tiveness if stored at room temperature or above. Most antibiotics are heat sensitive and should
be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature between 2° and 8°C to maintain potency. Many
other products require storage in a cool (below 15°C), but non-refrigerated, location. Check
product labels for information on acceptable storage temperature.
Biological drugs and antibiotics
lose their potency with time. Expired
vaccines will not be effective for later
use and may become contaminated. What ’s Your Profile ?
Expiration dates on labels should
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ing a clean and organized refrigerator,
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animal health products can be protected from changes in temperature, sunlight, dust, mois-
ture, animals, and insects. When in doubt, check the label on the medication and consult your
local veterinarian regarding any questions on proper use of medications.
Summary:
2 Vaccines and medications can be very powerful tools in combating illnesses like
bacterial growth and influenza in animals. A vaccine is a biologic that uses a killed
or debilitated organism that is capable of inducing protection against the specific
disease caused by that organism.
There are two classifications of drugs—biologics and pharmaceuticals. Biologics are
medicinal products derived from living sources, such as humans, animals, or micro-
organisms, as opposed to chemical sources. Pharmaceuticals are synthetically cre-
ated drugs or medicines used to treat disease and disorders.
Two types of vaccines used in disease control are killed vaccines and modified live
vaccines. A killed vaccine is a vaccine that uses killed bacteria or virus before admin-
istering, whereas modified live vaccines use weakened bacteria or virus.
Medicines come in a variety of types and forms for use in various situations, such as
liquids, powders, feed additives, and boluses.
Proper storage facilities improve medication effectiveness and reduce treatment
errors. Without the right storage methods, a medication can be ineffective and dan-
gerous. Thus, medications should always be stored and used according to the direc-
tions listed on the label or with the assistance of a veterinarian.
Checking Your Knowledge:
´ 1. How is a vaccine used to prevent disease?
2. What is the difference between a biologic and a pharmaceutical?
3. What is the difference between a killed vaccine and a modified live vaccine?
4. What problems can the misuse and overuse of antibiotics lead to?
5. Why is a clean refrigerator an ideal location to store animal medications?
Expanding Your Knowledge:
L Call your local veterinarian office and ask if you can view a pet or large animal vac-
cination. Be sure to look at what type, form, and classification of vaccine is being
administered and get more in-depth information about the procedure by discussing
it with the veterinarian.
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Web Links:
: United States Food and Drug Administration Center for
Veterinary Medicine
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Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Animal Owners Resource
http://www.vet.cornell.edu/services/owners.htm
USDA—Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/index.shtml
Agricultural Career Profiles
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