Evaluation of repeated dosing of a dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel for treatment of noise aversion in dogs over a series of noise events

Abstract

BackgroundNoise aversion is a common behavioural disorder in dogs; affected dogs show fear behaviours in response to noise stimuli. Pharmacological treatment is effective for many dogs; clinical reports suggest anxiolytic treatment lowers the need for treatment over time. We aimed to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel for dogs with noise aversion over a series of noise events. Furthermore, we evaluated burden of care for owners of dogs with noise aversion via questionnaire.MethodsOwners of enrolled dogs completed records for 10 noise events indicating whether their dog received dexmedetomidine gel and pretreatment and post-treatment anxiety scores; adverse events were noted. Owners were queried about burden of care.ResultsTwenty-two client-owned dogs completed recordings for 10 events. Logistic regression results showed a significant effect for time of event with decreased probability of receiving treatment for subsequent events (OR=0.75, P=0.0017). Within an event, significant improvement in anxiety was seen (median improvement 11 points; paired Wilcoxon; P<0.0001). We found overall burden of care was manageable, yet many owners agreed with statements regarding frustration (42 per cent), stress (46 per cent), guilt (42 per cent) and sadness (75 per cent) about their dog’s condition.ConclusionsRepeated use of dexmedetomidine gel for noise events resulted in decreased need for administration. Burden of care is important to discuss with clients.

Therapy and Prevention of Noise Fears in Dogs—A Review of the Current Evidence for Practitioners

“…Trazodone vs. Sileo: A smaller study compared the effects of Trazodone with those of Sileo ® on New Year's Eve (no placebo group) and found both medications to be effective. However, the reduction in fear scores and owner satisfaction were significantly greater for Trazodone (87.5% of owners satisfied) than for Sileo ® (61.1% of owners satisfied) [57].…”

“…Over seventy-one percent of owners from the treatment group reported a good to excellent effect of the drug during New Year fireworks-significantly more than in the placebo groups [24]. In [25], the reported success rate for Sileo ® was similar to in [24] at 74%; in [57], it was 61%.…”