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Schroers M, Juhasz A, Zablotski Y, Meyer-Lindenberg A. Effect of casozepine administration on stress in dogs during a veterinary examination - A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Vet J 2024; 306:106148. [PMID: 38838768 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the stress-reducing effect of a casozepine before a veterinary examination in dogs. It should be examined whether the dogs are less stressed during a standardized veterinary examination after an oral application of casozepine over 2 days and whether the administration has an influence on the salivary concentrations of the stress hormones vasopressin and cortisol. Across the study group (n=36), a significantly lower stress score (P=0.0026) and lower mean (P=0.01) and maximum (P=0.024) pulse rates were seen at follow-up after casozepine administration, in contrast to the placebo group (n=26). Salivary vasopressin concentrations increased during follow-up in the placebo group (P=0.04), whereas they remained the same in the casozepine group. Cortisol concentrations increased during follow-up in the casozepin group (P=0.01). The results indicate that although dogs in both groups remained excited at follow-up, short-term casozepine administration before a veterinary visit had a weak stress-reducing effect in dogs based on subjective stress scoring and pulse rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schroers
- Clinic for Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction, Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
| | - A Juhasz
- Clinic for Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction, Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Y Zablotski
- Clinic for Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction, Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - A Meyer-Lindenberg
- Clinic for Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction, Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Radosta L. Behavior Changes Associated with Metabolic Disease of Dogs and Cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2024; 54:17-28. [PMID: 37734960 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Like many physical disorders, the clinical signs associated with metabolic diseases affecting thyroid, adrenal, and pancreatic function are reflective of nonspecific changes in behavior. Additionally, patients who have underlying disorders associated with fear, anxiety, stress, conflict, and/or panic may be under treatment with medications that alter basal thyroid, glucose, and cortisol levels. Through reinforcement and punishment of behaviors associated with clinical signs caused by organic or iatrogenic endocrine disease, behaviors can be perpetuated and become persistent patterns. Screening all patients presenting with a primary behavior complaint or those with behavioral clinical signs of endocrine diseases is essential. Alleviating stress immediately while working up or treating metabolic disease reduces suffering and may stave off the adoption of behavior patterns more permanently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Radosta
- Florida Veterinary Behavior Service, West Palm Beach, FL, USA.
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Squair C, Proudfoot K, Montelpare W, Overall KL. Effects of Changing Veterinary Handling Techniques on Canine Behaviour and Physiology Part 1: Physiological Measurements. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071253. [PMID: 37048509 PMCID: PMC10093362 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Signs of distress in dogs are often normalized during routine veterinary care, creating an animal welfare concern. We sought to test whether targeted interventions during veterinary visits affect physiological indicators of stress in dogs. Some 28 dogs were examined within four visits across 8 weeks. All dogs received the same care during the first visit and were then randomized into control and intervention groups for visits 2-4. In the intervention group, 14 dogs underwent procedures designed to reduce stress and to enlist their collaboration during examination. The 14 dogs in the control group received routine care. At each visit, heart rate (HR), serum cortisol (CORT), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and creatine kinase (CK) were measured. A composite stress index based on the summed standardized scores for these markers was constructed. No differences in HR, NLR, and CK parameters between groups were found, and both groups had a decrease in CORT by visit four. However, the intervention group showed a greater overall decrease in CORT between the first and fourth visit than the control group (p < 0.04). The composite stress index differed between the first and fourth visits for the intervention group, but not for the control group (Intervention p = 0.03; Control p= 0.288). There was a tendency for the composite stress index to worsen at visit four vs. visit one for the control group. The findings suggest that dogs that participated in adaptive, collaborative exams and procedures designed to minimize fear had a greater reduction in stress over time compared to those receiving standard care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Squair
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Kathryn Proudfoot
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - William Montelpare
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Karen L Overall
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada
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Edwards P, Smith B, McArthur M, Hazel S. At the heart of a dog's veterinary experience: Heart rate responses in dogs vary across a standard physical examination. J Vet Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Kim SA, Borchardt MR, Lee K, Stelow EA, Bain MJ. Effects of trazodone on behavioral and physiological signs of stress in dogs during veterinary visits: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022; 260:876-883. [PMID: 35333743 DOI: 10.2460/javma.20.10.0547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether a single dose of trazodone administered to dogs before a veterinary visit reduced their behavioral and physiologic signs of stress and owners' stress during veterinary visits. SAMPLE 20 dogs and their owners. PROCEDURES In this randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial, dogs with a history of anxiety during veterinary visits were scheduled for 2 veterinary visits 1 week apart and randomly assigned to receive a single oral dose of either trazodone (9 to 12 mg/kg) or a placebo 90 minutes before transport to the veterinary clinic for alternate visits between September 21 and November 3, 2019. For each visit, we collected and assessed owner-completed surveys of dog stress score (DSS) and owner stress score; various investigator-reported scores, including from video-recorded behavior analyses; and patient-related physiologic data. RESULTS Dogs treated with trazodone versus placebo had lower mean DSSs, assessed by owners for physical examination and assessed by video analysis for time spent in the examination room; lower mean SD of normal-to-normal intervals, root mean square of successive heartbeat interval difference, and respiratory rate; and higher mean heart rate. No meaningful differences were observed in other behavioral or physiologic outcomes, including serum cortisol concentrations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE A single dose of trazodone before transport reduced signs of stress during veterinary visits for dogs in the present study and may be useful as an anti-anxiety medication for similarly affected dogs, potentially resulting in higher-quality clinical examinations and improved patient welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-A Kim
- 1Clinical Animal Behavior Service, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Michelle R Borchardt
- 2William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Kyuyoung Lee
- 3Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Elizabeth A Stelow
- 2William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Melissa J Bain
- 3Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
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Meneses T, Robinson J, Rose J, Vernick J, Overall KL. Development of and pharmacological treatment options and future research opportunities for separation anxiety in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021; 259:1130-1139. [PMID: 34727079 DOI: 10.2460/javma.20.10.0602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Korpivaara M, Huhtinen M, Aspegrén J, Overall K. Dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel reduces fear and anxiety in dogs during veterinary visits: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical pilot study. Vet Rec 2021; 189:e832. [PMID: 34448217 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many dogs are anxious and/or fearful in veterinary clinics and exhibit avoidant and/or defensive behaviour. The purpose of pharmacological interventions is to reduce anxiety and to enable patient-friendly, low stress physical examination and procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicentre, clinical-field study. The eligible dogs (n = 76) were randomly assigned to receive dexmedetomidine 0.1 mg/g oromucosal gel at a dose of 125 μg/m2 (n = 27) or 250 μg/m2 (n = 24), or an equivalent volume of placebo gel (n = 23). RESULTS The investigator's ability to perform the intended procedure (physical examination and 1 short minor veterinary or husbandry procedure) was excellent for 40.7% of the dogs that received dexmedetomidine 125 μg/m2 and 33.3% of those that received dexmedetomidine 250 μg/m2 compared to only 4.3% of the placebo dogs. The overall treatment effect was statistically significant (p = 0.03). In addition, the investigators subjective stress level assessments revealed that dexmedetomidine treated dogs showed significantly more commonly relaxed body posture (p < 0.01) and more relaxed behaviour when entering the examination room (p = 0.02). There were very few adverse events, and treated animals were not sedated. CONCLUSIONS This study indicated a beneficial treatment effect of dexmedetomidine gel in alleviation of canine fear and anxiety during minor veterinary or husbandry procedures in the clinic environment in dogs previously reported to suffer from fear and anxiety during veterinary visits. Both dexmedetomidine gel doses studied were effective, and no clinical safety concerns were noticed for either dose.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Karen Overall
- Department of Health Management, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
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Overall KL. Pharmacotherapeutics in clinical ethology: treatment efficacy, clinical pathology and outcome. BEHAVIOUR 2021. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The use of psychopharmaceutical agents is a core aspect of treatment in veterinary behavioural medicine. Psychotropic medication use has shifted the focus of treatment from purely behavioural and environmental interventions to a multi-modal approach. Objective measures of efficacy are required for the licensing of medication. Pharmacotherapeutics have come to encompass supplements and diets, in addition to prescription medications. The first part of this paper examines the efficacy of medications, supplements and diets used in behavioural medicine. Foci include the role of evolution in the types of behavioural concerns reported, the importance of defining abnormal or pathological behaviour, use of terminology that supports stratified mechanistic diagnoses aid in understanding presentation and response clusters, and rational use of medication to relieve emotional, mental and behavioural suffering, given these diagnoses and clusters. The second part of this paper examines the extent to which variation in patient response to medication can enlighten us about mechanisms and outcomes of distress using a series of 3 patient populations who are the focus of studies on separation anxiety and noise reactivity. This response surface approach can be useful for understanding differences in populations in susceptibility to behavioural pathology and in medication response, and may suggest new avenues for drug development and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen L. Overall
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada C1A 4P3
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Riemer S, Heritier C, Windschnurer I, Pratsch L, Arhant C, Affenzeller N. A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010158. [PMID: 33445559 PMCID: PMC7826566 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The majority of dogs and cats are fearful during veterinary visits, and some individuals may show aggression as a result. We review ways to avoid negative experiences and promote positive emotions in animals visiting the veterinarian. Whenever an animal is in the practice, the veterinary team should endeavour to make the visit as pleasant as possible, by using non-threatening body language and by creating positive associations. High-value food (unless an animal needs to be fasted) or toys should be used generously throughout the visit. In the interaction with the animals, low-stress handling methods, brief pauses and adjusting the procedure based on the animal’s body language help them to feel secure. Distractions can be used to minimise perceived pain such as from injections. If a known painful area needs to be treated, pain killers are advised. For animals that are very fearful, several medication options are available that can be given prior to the veterinary visit to help them with their fears. With reward-based training, animals can learn to accept veterinary procedures. A stress-free veterinary visit benefits all involved parties—the animals, their owners, as well as the veterinary team. Abstract A high proportion of dogs and cats are fearful during veterinary visits, which in some cases may escalate into aggression. Here, we discuss factors that contribute to negative emotions in a veterinary setting and how these can be addressed. We briefly summarise the available evidence for the interventions discussed. The set-up of the waiting area (e.g., spatial dividers; elevated places for cat carriers), tailoring the examination and the treatment to the individual, considerate handling (minimal restraint when possible, avoiding leaning over or cornering animals) and offering high-value food or toys throughout the visit can promote security and, ideally, positive associations. Desensitisation and counterconditioning are highly recommended, both to prevent and address existing negative emotions. Short-term pain from injections can be minimised by using tactile and cognitive distractions and topical analgesics, which are also indicated for painful procedures such as ear cleanings. Recommendations for handling fearful animals to minimise aggressive responses are discussed. However, anxiolytics or sedation should be used whenever there is a risk of traumatising an animal or for safety reasons. Stress-reducing measures can decrease fear and stress in patients and consequently their owners, thus strengthening the relationship with the clients as well as increasing the professional satisfaction of veterinary staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Riemer
- Companion Animal Behaviour Group, Division of Animal Welfare, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Ines Windschnurer
- Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria; (I.W.); (C.A.)
| | - Lydia Pratsch
- Veterinary Behaviour Consultant, 1200 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Christine Arhant
- Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria; (I.W.); (C.A.)
| | - Nadja Affenzeller
- Department of Companion Animals, Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria;
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Overall KL. Can we treat and manage animals in our care and not scare them? J Vet Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Bain M. Surgical and Behavioral Relationships With Welfare. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:519. [PMID: 32923471 PMCID: PMC7456887 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Veterinarians perform surgery for a number of reasons, from treating a problem to preventing future problems. There is an inextricable link between the physical and psychological aspects of an animal's health, and surgery is often a conduit to bridge that gap. Some surgical procedures can affect an animal's behavior, such as castration, and some pose an ethical dilemma, such as ear cropping and declawing. Ameliorating pain, decreasing stressful experiences for the animal, and identifying and treating concurrent problem behaviors are hallmarks of improving animal welfare. The purpose of this article is to outline some of these interrelationships and ethical dilemmas, providing evidence-based verification as applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Bain
- Clinical Animal Behavior Service, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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