Advances in behaviour therapy in the Middle East

To provide the highest level of care to our pets, we have to consider all aspects of their health and welfare. With more pet-owners recognising the importance of the emotional well being of their companions, pheromone therapy is a valuable tool for clinicians to use within their treatment plan.

At our recent CPD event at the Palace Downtown on 7th February, we discussed the common causes of the anxiety affecting our pets here in the Middle East, and the options currently available to clinicians to help.

So often, the emotional welfare of our pets can be overlooked; more attention can be paid to clinical conditions as we observe the discomfort they cause more immediately. Rarely do clients consult their veterinarians solely to discuss anxiety and fear-related behaviours, and understandably many clinicians feel ill-equipped to provide evidence-based advice. During veterinary visits, priority often goes to completing the necessary diagnostic examination and maintaining throughout.

This is beginning to change with initiatives such as Fear Free, and more accredited behaviour specialists qualifying – including here in the UAE! These initiatives help to ensure that pet anxiety is addressed as priority.

Pheromones are naturally produced chemical substances that are instantly recognizable between animals of the same species-deposited outside the body via glandular secretions, urine and faeces⁶. Animals use these chemicals as a means of communication – detected via both olfactory and vomeronasal systems⁶. The response is generally instinctive rather than learned, and prior exposure is not necessary to observe a response. Pheromones provide a means of social interaction – the pheromone deposited by one individual may alter the actions of another⁶.

A multi-modal approach is often the most effective when considering behavioural cases. Pheromone products are ideal for immediate and continued use in conjunction with modification techniques, environmental enrichment and resource revision.

Feline Facial Pheromone mimics the natural pheromone produced when a cat rubs their face/cheeks to mark their territory; these olfactory cues accumulates over time, providing a reference point. Their territory can include furniture, bedding, bowls and (as many owners can confirm) people! This familiarity leads to reassurance; and can be traced back to early stages of life. Kittens rely heavily on olfactory cues due to the comparatively later development of their vision, and so the nest is heavily marked with glandular secretions from the queen⁶.

Pheromone release in cats has been observed from the feet (feline interdigital semiochemical) and from the queen following parturition (feline appeasing pheromone)⁶.

Feline Facial Pheromone currently has the most evidence to support the use of synthetic analogues for anxiety-related behaviour therapy^5,6. Use of the diffuser allows the active ingredient to perfuse the environment around the cat, rather than requiring direct contact. The spray provides the flexibility to apply the pheromone to toys, bedding and other familiar and reassuring items.

The use of pheromones has been assessed in many clinical behaviour trails^4,5 and investigations are starting into their application in treatment of other stress related conditions as FHV1¹ and FLUTD.

Dog Appeasing Pheromone is based on the chemical released from the intermammary sulcus from the bitch from 3-4 days after parturition until weaning, similar to the feline appeasing pheromone. The use of this analogue has been assessed as an adjunct to behaviour modification- to aid in anxious situations and to encourage socialization, particularly in puppyhood^2,3. In novel situations, such as relocation, transport and veterinary visits, the use of pheromones is to increase the likelihood of a positive association when combined with positive reinforcement.

At Saint Vincent Group, we are delighted to introduce Beaphar’s new product line- CatComfort and CaniComfort, a range of synthetic analogues of Feline Facial Pheromone and Dog Appeasing Pheromone respectively. These are the first products of this kind reliably available in the Gulf region.

Both pheromones are available in a diffuser and a spray (providing flexibility to apply directly to bedding, boxes ad vehicles). Efficacy of the diffuser relies upon suitable placement. As pheromones are deposited naturally where a cat or dog spends considerable time, select an area where  the pet is known to rest and relax. Several areas may fit this bill for different individuals in a multi-cat household, and more diffusers may be required.

We hope you agree the pheromones represent an exciting area of ongoing research, and behaviourists are only beginning to understand the scope of their potential application. We are pleased to present these products to our veterinary community, as a valuable tool to promote the emotional wellbeing of our pets,

Beaphar – Prioritising the emotional wellbeing of pets in the Gulf Region.

Please CLICK HERE for a detailed guide on CatComfort and CaniComfort range.

References;

1. Chadwin, R. M., Bain, M. J., Kass, P. H., (2017) Effect of a synthetic feline facial pheromone product on stress scores and incidence of upper respiratory tract infection in shelter cats Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association Vol 251 pp413-419
2. Gaultier et al (2009) Efficacy of dog appeasing pheromone in reducing behaviours associated with fear of unfamiliar people and new surroundings in newly adopted puppies The Veterinary Record 164(23) pp708-713
3. Gaultier,, Bonnafous, L., Vienet-Legué, D., Falewee, C., Bougrat, L., Lafont-Lecuelle, C. and Pageat, P. 92008) Efficacy of dog-appeasing pheromone in reducing stress associated with social isolation in newly adopted puppies Veterinary Record 163: 73-80
4. Griffiths, C., Steigerwald, E. and Buffington, T. (2000) Effects of synthetic feline facial pheromone on behavior in cats Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association Vol 217 8 1pp154:1156
5. Mills D., S., Redgate S. E., Landsberg G. M. (2011) A Meta-Analysis of Studies of Treatments for Feline Urine Spraying. PLoS ONE 6(4)
6. Vitale, K. R. (2018) Clinical Review: Tools for managing Feline Problem Behaviours; pheromone therapy. Journal of Feline and Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Vol 20 pp1024-1032

Post date: 4th March 2020