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Rabbit maternal pheromone delivered in ointment decreases heart rate in domestic dogs during a simulated thunderstorm
Thunderstorm-related anxiety is common in domestic dogs and is characterized by anxious behaviors such as pacing, vocalizing, or environment or self-destruction. Interomones are olfactory chemical cues released by one species that can elicit behavioral and physiological responses in a second species. Previous studies suggest that interomones can alter dog behavior. This study was designed to examine the effects of a rabbit maternal-neonatal pheromone (2-methylbut-2-enal; 2MB2) delivered via topical ointment on heart rate and behavior of domestic dogs. Twelve dogs of varying age, breed, and sex experienced two treatment ointments applied to the snout: a control ointment with no interomone (CON); or an ointment containing 1 µg/mL of 2MB2. Treatments were assigned using a completely random crossover design with two testing rooms and two treatments. Baseline heart rate (HR) and behavior (standing, lying, pacing, and vocalizing) were recorded throughout each trial. Trials consisted of a 15 minute “before” period, at the end of which the designated treatment was administered and a simulated thunderstorm played for 15 minutes (“during”). This was immediately followed by a third 15-minute recovery period (“after”). Data were analyzed using the General Linear Models Procedure of SAS (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC) and Least Squares Means were compared. HR increased 9.5% at the onset of the simulated thunderstorm (P < 0.05); however, HR of dogs receiving 2MB2 returned to baseline approximately five minutes into the simulated thunderstorm compared to dogs receiving CON, whose HR remained elevated for most of the 15 min period. Throughout the “during” period, HR of dogs receiving 2MB2 was 13% lower than that of dogs receiving CON ointment (124 ± 4.02 vs. 143 ± 3.95 bpm, respectively; P < 0.05). Time dogs engaged in each behavior did not differ between treatments. The interaction between individual and treatment was significant (P< 0.01) for HR, indicating that 2MB2 influenced individuals differently. The rabbit maternal pheromone 2MB2 delivered in an ointment to the snout may act as an interomone in dogs, and provides a natural, fast-acting therapy for some dogs experiencing thunderstorm-related anxiety.
Keywords:
Dog, pheromone, thunderstorm
Thunderstorm-related anxiety is common in domestic dogs, and is characterized by anxious behaviors such as pacing, vocalizing, or environment or self-destruction. Interomones are olfactory chemical cues released by one species that can elicit behavioral and physiological responses in a second species. Previous studies suggest that interomones can alter dog behavior. This study was designed to examine the effects of a rabbit maternal-neonatal pheromone (2-methylbut-2-enal; 2M2B) delivered via topical ointment on heart rate and behavior of domestic dogs. Twelve dogs of varying age, breed, and sex experienced two treatment ointments applied to the snout: a control ointment with no interomone (CON); or an ointment containing 1 µg/mL of 2M2B. Treatments were assigned using a completely random crossover design with two testing rooms and two treatments. Baseline heart rate (HR) and behavior (standing, lying, pacing, and vocalizing) were recorded throughout each trial. Trials consisted of a 15 minute “before” period, at the end of which the designated treatment was administered and a simulated thunderstorm played for 15 minutes (“during”). This was immediately followed by a third 15 minute recovery period (“after”). Data were analyzed using the General Linear Models Procedure of SAS (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC) and Least Squares means were compared. HR increased 9.5% at the onset of the simulated thunderstorm (P < 0.05); however, HR of dogs receiving 2M2B returned to baseline approximately five minutes into the simulated thunderstorm, compared to dogs receiving CON, whose HR remained elevated for most of the 15 min period. Throughout the “during” period HR of dogs receiving 2M2B was 13% lower than that of dogs receiving CON ointment (124 ± 4.02 vs. 143 ± 3.95 bpm, respectively; P < 0.05). Time dogs engaged in each behavior did not differ between treatments. The interaction between individual and treatment was significant (P < 0.01) for HR, indicating that 2M2B influenced individuals differently. The rabbit maternal pheromone 2M2B delivered in an ointment to the snout may act as an interomone in dogs, and provides a natural, fast-acting therapy for some dogs experiencing thunderstorm-related anxiety.
Keywords:
Dog, pheromone, thunderstorm