In-hospital administration of dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel for stress reduction in dogs during veterinary visits: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Visiting veterinary clinics has been demonstrated to be a stressful experience for most dogs and is a common reason that owners delay treatment for their pets. The use of dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel has been shown to reduce stress during minor procedures at the veterinary clinic as well as alleviate acute anxiety and fear associated with noise in dogs. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel in alleviating acute stress during standardized veterinary visits for physical examinations when administered by owners in the hospital. This study was a randomized, crossover, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Forty client-owned healthy dogs with a history of anxiety and/or fear during veterinary visits presented for two visits and were randomized into two treatment groups. One treatment group received placebo at the first visit then dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel at the second visit and the other group received it in the reverse order. We video-recorded the dogs’ behavior during the duration of the physical examination and the video was analyzed by a blinded investigator, using an ethogram with predetermined stress-related behaviors. Mixed effect logistic regression was used to study the effect of dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel on the behavior categories during the physical examination. Age, sex, weight, noise level, and sedation scores were considered confounding factors. The random effects were set on the level of the individual animal. Statistical significance was assumed for a value of P < 0.05. Results showed that dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel significantly decreased the likelihood of dogs exhibiting the behavior categories of stress/fear vocalization (whining, yelping, grumbling) (P < 0.01), avoidance behaviors (oriented toward the door, attempting to exit the room, trying to jump from the table) (P < 0.01), and other stress-related activities (panting, trembling, urinating, defecating) (P = 0.016) during the physical examination. Stress/fear vocalization occurred less frequently during the second visit compared with the first visit and was more likely to occur in dogs that were young and male. Dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel reduces signs of stress (vocalizations, avoidance behaviors, panting, trembling, urination, defecation) in dogs during veterinary examinations. By decreasing stress in dogs during physical examinations, we can diagnose more accurately and improve welfare for our patients.