Formulation and Delivery Strategies for Alternatives to Antibiotics in Animal Health: Integration, Efficacy, and Feasibility

The increasing threat of antibiotic resistance in animal health highlights the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. This review explores known non-antibiotic treatments, including probiotics, prebiotics, immune modulators, antimicrobial peptides, and bacteriophage therapy, emphasizing their safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness in veterinary practice. Advanced delivery systems such as nanoparticles, encapsulation technologies, and controlled-release formulations are examined for their potential to enhance stability, bioavailability, and target action. The feasibility of adopting these approaches across diverse animal production systems is discussed with attention to regulatory, economic, and logistical challenges. While research outcomes are promising, further studies are needed to evaluate long- term impacts on animal microbiomes, resistance development, and environmental stability. Collaborative efforts across disciplines will be critical in making these options, such as innovative therapies, into practical, sustainable solutions for enhancing animal health and competing antibiotic resistance.