Background

Controlling pain in farm animals is an important aspect of animal welfare. One treatment for pain in cattle, horses, and swine uses flunixin meglumine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Current flunixin treatment uses intramuscular injection, which is often difficult and inefficient to administer on farms to a large number of pigs. A non-invasive and efficient method is an unmet need.

Technology Overview

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel method of administration of flunixin for treating pain in swine. Compared to the intramuscular administration of flunixin, the noninvasive administration method is advantageous because it can be easily and quickly done on farms to a large number of animals. This method does not require needles, therefore preventing additional pain associated with needle injection or accidents of farmworkers. Additionally, needles often result in injection site abscesses which can affect meat quality, and the noninvasive method avoids this. Overall the novel method of administration of flunixin is an effective method for controlling pain in swine and it provides additional benefits such as being easy to handle, preventing needle-related pain or accidents, and retaining meat quality.

Benefits

Promote animal welfare
Control pain in animals
Easy to handle
Prevent needle-related pain or accidents
Retain meat quality

Opportunity

NC State University is seeking an industry partner to license and commercialize the technology

Animal Pain Management

IP Status

Seeking