Advances in veterinary drug and vaccine delivery: from conventional delivery methods to innovative transdermal approaches.

Veterinary drug delivery must balance efficacy, ease of administration, and animal welfare. Traditional methods, such as oral and injectable routes, pose challenges due to species-specific variations, stress during administration, and the need for repeated dosing. Emerging transdermal systems, particularly microneedle patches, offer a minimally invasive alternative that enhances drug absorption while reducing handling stress toward animals and improving compliance. Microneedle technology enables controlled and sustained drug release, making it particularly effective for pain management, vaccine delivery, and hormone therapies. By facilitating the transdermal administration of analgesics, microneedles deliver long-lasting pain relief with fewer interventions, improving the treatment of acute and chronic conditions in veterinary medicine. The use of biodegradable materials further enhances safety, eliminates the need for patch removal, and minimizes environmental impact. However, challenges such as species-specific skin permeability, formulation stability, and regulatory approval must be addressed for widespread adoption. This review examines the evolution of veterinary drug delivery, emphasizing microneedle-based technologies and their potential to improve pain management and therapeutic outcomes. By overcoming existing limitations, these systems could transform treatment approaches, simplify administration, and enhance overall animal care. Continued research and development will be essential for optimizing these technologies and expanding their applications in both clinical and agricultural settings.