| abstract |
The present disclosure generally relates to sol-gel polymer composites comprising chitosan, a hydrophilic polymer, a gelling agent, and optionally other ingredients in a suitable medium. Advantageously, the sol-gel polymer composite may form a durable seal or a strong solid in response to one or more physiological stimuli. The present disclosure further relates to medical and veterinary uses of the composite material, in particular to methods and delivery systems for reducing or preventing the incidence of breast disorders in dairy animals. More specifically, the present disclosure includes methods and sol-gel polymer composite compositions for creating a physical barrier on the surface of a teat or in the teat canal or teat cistern of a non-human animal for prophylactic treatment of a breast condition such as mastitis, wherein the sol-gel polymer forms a seal in response to one or more physiological stimuli. |