A synthetic fraction of feline facial pheromones calms but does not reduce struggling in cats before venous catheterization.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether a synthetic analogue of feline facial pheromone (FFP) calms cats before, and reduces struggling during intravenous catheterization.


METHODS
Block-randomized, 'blinded' clinical trial.


METHODS
Seventy-seven healthy cats presented for elective surgery.


METHODS
Cats given glycopyrrolate and oxymorphone were assigned to one of four treatments: acepromazine and exposure to FFP (aceFFP); acepromazine and exposure to a placebo (acePlac); exposure to FFP only (FFP) and exposure to placebo only (Plac). The behaviour of cats was recorded on videotape for evaluation by assessors unaware of treatment group. Cats' veins were then catheterized by veterinary students unaware of the study protocol. Based on each cat's response to catheterization, the student independently decided whether intramuscular ketamine was required.


RESULTS
Cats in the aceFFP group appeared to be calmer than acePlac cats on the basis of head position and their location in the cage (suggesting benefit from FFP among cats receiving acepromazine) but appeared to be less sedated. Cats in the aceFFP group also appeared to be calmer than FFP cats on the basis of head position and location in the cage. Feline facial pheromone cats were also calmer than Plac cats when compared using body and leg position. Exposure to FFP did not significantly reduce struggling at catheterization, nevertheless, the students were able to catheterize the veins in all cats.


CONCLUSIONS
There were no detrimental behavioural effects associated with either FFP or acepromazine. The FFP had additional calming effects in cats given acepromazine and, to a lesser degree, helped to calm cats that were not given acepromazine. Feline facial pheromone helps to calm cats in unfamiliar surroundings.
Kronen
Peter W
PW
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Ludders
John W
JW
Erb
Hollis N
HN
Moon
Paula F
PF
Gleed
Robin D
RD
Koski
Sharon
S
D000075:Acepromazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D010675:Pheromones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication / Q000662:veterinary*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010675:Pheromones; D000075:Acepromazine