Evaluation of music therapy to reduce stress in hospitalized cats

Safety and efficacy assessment of a synthetic porcine recombinant corticotrophin for the ACTH stimulation test in healthy cats

Porcine adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) has been considered valid for the ACTH stimulation test (ACTHST) in humans and dogs; however, its safety and efficacy for use in cats are unknown. Also, the equivalence between 5 µg/kg and 125 µg/cat dose of synthetic corticotropin (1-24 ACTH - cosyntropin/tetracosactide) is assumed for ACTHST in cats. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of different porcine recombinant ACTH doses for the ACTHST in healthy cats and its equivalence with tetracosactide. The study was divided into two arms. The first evaluated safety and equivalence of intravenous 1 µg/kg, 5 µg/kg, or 125 µg/cat porcine ACTH in seven healthy cats for the ACTHST evaluating basal and post-ACTH androstenedione, aldosterone, cortisol, and progesterone concentrations. In the second arm, the equivalence of the 125 µg/cat porcine ACTH dose was evaluated compared to results obtained using 125 µg/cat of tetracosactide in ten healthy cats regarding cortisol responses. In all tests, several cat-friendly strategies were adopted, and the ACTHST protocol involved basal and 60-minute post-ACTH blood sampling and intravenous ACTH injection. No adverse reactions were documented, and no tested cat showed any complications during the study. No porcine ACTH tested dose significantly increased androstenedione secretion. In contrast, all tested doses were able to increase progesterone concentration significantly (P < 0.05), and Δ-progesterone in response to 5 µg/kg or 125 µg/cat was considered equivalent (P > 0.99). The 125 µg/cat dose promoted greater responses for both cortisol and aldosterone, characterized by Δ-cortisol (P = 0.009) and Δ-aldosterone (P = 0.004). Despite equivalent Δ-cortisol results in response to 5 µg/kg or 125 µg/cat (P = 0.18); post-ACTH results of cortisol in response to 5 µg/kg only approximate statistical significance when compared with basal (P = 0.07). Porcine ACTH and tetracosactide significantly increased post-ACTH cortisol concentration (P < 0.0001) while the Δ-cortisol was slightly greater in response to the porcine ACTH (P = 0.006). These results suggest porcine ACTH could be an alternative source of corticotropin for the ACTHST in cats; however, maximum corticoadrenal stimulation seemed more reliable in response to a 125 µg/cat regarding cortisol and aldosterone.

Use of Gabapentin or Alprazolam in Cats during Postoperative, Short-Term Hospitalization

This prospective, randomized study aimed to assess the anxiolytic efficacy of gabapentin or alprazolam in cats during short-term postoperative hospitalization. Sixty cats were randomly assigned to three groups (gabapentin-treated [100 mg per cat], alprazolam-treated [0.125 mg per cat], or placebo-treated), with treatments administered twice daily for two days. Stress levels were evaluated using Cat Stress Scores, serum cortisol, and glucose concentrations. Pain scores, food consumption, and adverse effects such as sedation were also monitored. Fifty-five cats completed the study. Both medications demonstrated similar reductions in stress levels. Cats receiving gabapentin had lower pain scores, while those receiving alprazolam exhibited significantly increased food intake on the first postoperative day. However, both medications resulted in comparable levels of sedation. In the context of postoperative hospitalization, pharmacological intervention with anxiolytics could be effective in reducing stress levels. Despite potential side effects, gabapentin and alprazolam may contribute to an improved quality of short-term hospitalization for cats.

Effects of species-relevant auditory stimuli on stress in cats exposed to novel environment

Environmental changes like vet visit could cause stress in cats. Studies have attempted to develop stress management strategies targeting sensory systems. Even though species-appropriate music which includes cat affiliative sound (e.g., cats' purring and suckling sound) has been shown to relieve stress in cats. Little is known whether the cat sound alone works in stress management. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of species-relevant auditory stimuli on stress in cats exposed to a novel environment. During the 28-day experiment periods, 20 cats received four types of sound treatments which included silence (T1), purr of cats (T2), eating sound in cats (T3), and the mixed sound of T2 and T3 (T4) in a novel environment in random orders with intervals of 1 week between treatments. Cats' behaviors were recorded during each 10-min test. Results showed that T4 reduced visual scanning (P = 0.017) without significantly affecting other behaviors, compared with other treatments. Together, the two types of cat-specific sounds did not exert pronounced effects of relieving stress on cats exposed to a novel environment.

2022 ISFM/AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

The '2022 ISFM/AAFP Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines' (hereafter the 'Cat Friendly Veterinary Environment Guidelines') describe how the veterinary clinic environment can be manipulated to minimise feline patient distress. Many components of a veterinary clinic visit or stay may result in negative experiences for cats. However, much can be done to improve a cat's experience by making the veterinary clinic more cat friendly. Exposure to other cats and other species can be reduced, and adjustments made with consideration of the feline senses and species-specific behaviour. Caregivers can prepare cats for a clinic visit with appropriate advice. Waiting rooms, examination rooms, hospital wards and other clinic areas can be designed and altered to reduce stress and hence encourage positive emotions. Changes need not be structural or expensive in order to be effective and make a difference to the cats and, in turn, to cat caregivers and the veterinary team. Moreover, by improving the all-round experience at the veterinary clinic, there are positive effects on preventive healthcare, identification of and recovery from illness, and compliance with treatment.

CLINICAL CHALLENGES

Good feline healthcare necessitates visiting the veterinary clinic, which, simply by being outside of a cat's territory and familiar surroundings, may lead to negative experiences. Such experiences can trigger negative (protective) emotions and associated physiological stress, which can result in misleading clinical findings, patient distress, prolonged recovery from illness, further difficulties with handling at subsequent visits and potential veterinary personnel injury. There may be a mistaken belief that veterinary clinics must undergo significant renovation or building work to become cat friendly, and that, if species cannot be separated, then clinics cannot improve their care of cats. These Guidelines aim to dispel any such misconceptions and provide detailed practical advice.

EVIDENCE BASE

These Guidelines have been created by a Task Force of experts convened by the International Society of Feline Medicine and American Association of Feline Practitioners, based on an extensive literature review and, where evidence is lacking, the authors' experience. Endorsements: These Guidelines have been endorsed by a number of groups and organisations, as detailed on page 1161 and at icatcare.org/cat-friendly-guidelines and catvets.com/environment.

First study on stress evaluation and reduction in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery

Background and Aim:

In Thailand, domestic cats are the most common companion animal, and many are admitted to veterinary clinics for neutering surgery; however, such environment can induce stress. This is the first study to evaluate stress in hospitalized cats after neutering surgery using cat stress score (CSS) and salivary cortisol levels, including the impact of providing a hiding box (B) and/or administering a pheromone product to reduce stress.

Materials and Methods:

The study design was based on a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 80 domestic cats undergoing routine neutering surgery were assessed for their behavioral demeanor scoring system (DSS) as friendly (DSS1) and aggressive (DSS2) based on a DSS. During admission, the cats were randomly allocated to single standard cages with one of the following treatments: (B), feline facial pheromone (P), a combination of hiding box and the pheromone (BP), or no additional enrichment (C). Cat stress score, food intake, and hide-seeking behavior were recorded. The cortisol enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to assess the salivary cortisol level.

Results:

On the 1^st day of admission, aggressive cats had a significantly higher CSS (4.16 ± 0.29) than friendly cats (3.27 ± 0.16). Both demeanor cat groups showed statistically significant reductions in stress levels earlier than the control group after providing the enrichments. Saliva cortisol measurements ranged from 0.24 to 0.66 ng/mL. No statistical differences in cortisol levels were observed between the 1^st day and other days of admission. In contrast, no differences in food intake and hide-seeking behavior were seen within each group during the same period.

Conclusion:

Results suggested that stress and stress responses in cats depended on behavioral demeanor. The provision of enrichment, including hiding box and feline facial pheromone in singly housed caging reduced stress, especially in aggressive cats. However, salivary cortisol analysis, food intake, and hide-seeking behavior were ineffective for assessing stress in cats after neutering surgery.