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Long Acting Animal Health Drug Products pp 59–68Cite as

Oral Anatomy and Physiology in the Companion Animal

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Part of the book series: Advances in Delivery Science and Technology ((ADST))

Abstract

This chapter provides a synopsis of the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract of small animals, specifically cats and dogs. The stomach is both a grinding organ and a reservoir, metering foodstuffs into the small intestine for further processing and absorption. The small intestine is the primary site of absorption. On the one hand, the gastrointestinal tracts’ acidified stomach contents may result in the precipitation of pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, in response to food, the secretion of pancreatic fluid, bile salts and lecithin in the small intestine may result in a fine emulsion that facilitates the aqueous solubility and subsequent absorption of the pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The large intestine (cecum and colon) completes the processing and absorption of nutrients. Absorption of the API in this region is balanced by its solubility and residence time in this organ. This chapter shows that there appear to be many similarities in the anatomy and physiology of mammals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy, University of New England, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME, 04103, USA

    Steven C. Sutton

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  1. Steven C. Sutton
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Correspondence to Steven C. Sutton .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pharmacy, International Medical University, #126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia

    Michael J. Rathbone

  2. , New Zealand's National School of Pharmac, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand

    Arlene McDowell

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© 2013 Controlled Release Society

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Sutton, S.C. (2013). Oral Anatomy and Physiology in the Companion Animal. In: Rathbone, M., McDowell, A. (eds) Long Acting Animal Health Drug Products. Advances in Delivery Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4439-8_4

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