Effects of Waiting Room and Feline Facial Pheromone Experience on Blood Pressure in Cats

Abstract

Obtaining accurate blood pressure measurements in cats is challenging due to the stressful nature of clinic visits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of veterinary clinic waiting experiences and a feline pheromone spray on blood pressure in the cat. We hypothesized that reduced stress associated with bypassing the waiting room and use of synthetic feline facial pheromone (FFP) spray would result in lower blood pressure. A 2 × 2 factorial design involved two rooms and two FFP treatments. Thirty-nine healthy adult cats were recruited and were systematically assigned to four treatment combinations administered over four visits in 2016 and 2017. Cats were kept in the hospital waiting room or were taken directly to the exam room, with or without FFP treatment. All cats were then acclimated to the exam room for an additional 10 min, where vocalizations were recorded manually, before blood pressure measurements were collected using Doppler ultrasonography. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models, with room × FFP interaction, visit, sex, and trial year in the model. There was no significant effect of waiting room by FFP interaction on blood pressure (n = 0.95). Mean blood pressure was significantly higher at visit 1 than visits 2 and 4 (P < 0.01), but higher at visit 3 than visit 2 (n = 0.02). Mean blood pressure was higher in males (n = 0.01), and males were more likely to be categorized as borderline hypertensive/hypertensive or severely hypertensive (n = 0.01). Number of vocalizations was significantly associated with waiting room by FFP interactions (P < 0.01), with fewer vocalizations associated with bypassing the waiting room and when FFP was provided. In conclusion, although we found some behavioral evidence supporting stress reduction when feline patients bypass the waiting room and are provided with FFP, these interventions did not result in lower blood pressure in a clinical setting.

Cross-sectional survey of non-invasive indirect blood pressure measurement practices in cats by veterinarians

“…17 The effect of feline facial pheromone analogues on feline stress and blood pressure remains unclear, as studies have shown improvement of stress behavior that is not reflected in physiologic parameter changes, such as systolic blood pressure, with the use of these pheromones. 19,20 In our survey, two-thirds of the veterinarians who employed techniques to reduce situational hypertension reported using feline pheromones; however, only a minority (9%) perceived this technique as most helpful. A study showed that owners taking blood pressure measurements with the HDO device without a veterinarian did not impact blood pressure measurements; however, cats placed on a table rather than a carrier were shown to have higher mean arterial pressure, diastolic pressure and pulse rate.…”

“…12–18 Studies have evaluated the efficacy of only a select number of methods to reduce false increases in NIBP measurements in conscious cats, including management of the clinical setting, acclimation to the environment and the use of feline facial pheromone analogues. 4,17,19–21 In general, the optimal approach to NIBP measurement in conscious cats remains controversial and the preferences of practicing veterinarians on this subject are unknown.…”

2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain

“…2020, Van Vertloo et al . 2021). Finally, the cage environment should ideally provide comfort, space and opportunities for movement and possibility to retreat or hide.…”

Effect of audible static on blood pressure measurement by Doppler ultrasonic sphygmomanometry in cats

“…6,7 In addition, studies have evaluated the efficacy of some methods to reduce falsely high BP readings in conscious cats and found variable responses. [9][10][11][12][13][14] Several effective approaches have been identified, including allowing time for cats to acclimate to the environment 9 and placing cats in their own carrier during measurement. 10 Veterinarians commonly obtain non-invasive BP measurements in cats using a Doppler ultrasonic flow detector.…”