Efficacy of dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP) for ameliorating separation-related behavioral signs in hospitalized dogs.
Dogs hospitalized in veterinary clinics are likely to show signs of separation-induced anxiety from hospitalization. The study assessed the effect of dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP) on 10 typical separation-related behavioral signs in hospitalized dogs. A DAP treated group (n = 24) was compared with a placebo control group (n = 19). There was overall amelioration of the signs without 'vigilance' and 'anorexia' in the DAP-treated dogs; marked decreases were noted in elimination (P = 0.038), excessive licking (P = 0.005), and pacing (P = 0.017). The results suggest that the use of DAP could decrease separation-induced anxiety, distress, and fear in inpatients, and possibly facilitate recovery in hospitalized dogs.
Kim
Young-Mee
YM
Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Jong-Kyung
JK
Abd el-aty
A M
AM
Hwang
Sung-Hee
SH
Lee
Jae-Hoon
JH
Lee
Sang-Mok
SM
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004285:Dogs; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010675:Pheromones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010675:Pheromones