| Title: | Effect of a Pheromone on Stress-Associated Reactivation of Feline Herpesvirus-1 in Experimentally Inoculated Kittens |
| Author(s): | Contreras ET; Hodgkins E; Tynes V; Beck A; Olea-Popelka F; Lappin MR; |
| Address: | "Center for Companion Animal Studies at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. Ceva Animal Health, Lenexa, KS. Ceva Animal Health, Libourne, France" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1939-1676 (Electronic) 0891-6640 (Print) 0891-6640 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Stress contributes to reactivation of feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). The usage of pheromones to decrease stress in FHV-1 experimentally inoculated kittens has not previously been investigated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a feline pheromone would lessen stress, resulting in decreased recurrence of FHV-1-associated illness in kittens. ANIMALS: Twelve 5-month-old, purpose-bred kittens. METHODS: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Kittens previously infected with the same dose of FHV-1 were randomized into 2 separate but identical group rooms. After a 2-week equilibration period, a diffuser containing either the pheromone or placebo was placed in each of the rooms, and the kittens acclimated for an additional 2 weeks. Every 2 weeks thereafter, for the 8-week study period, housing was alternated between kennel- and group housing. Blinded observers applied a standardized clinical and behavioral scoring rubric daily. After each 2-week period, serum cortisol concentrations and quantitative PCR for FHV-1 and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) ratios were evaluated. Clinical, behavioral, and laboratory test results were compared between groups within individual and combined study periods. RESULTS: Sneezing occurred more frequently in the placebo group during individual (P = 0.006) and combined study periods (P = 0.001). Sleep at the end of observation periods occurred more frequently in the pheromone group during individual (P = 0.006) and combined study periods (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The findings suggest that the pheromone decreased stress, and the decrease in stress response may have resulted in decreased sneezing associated with FHV-1" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Cat Diseases/pathology/*virology Cats Female Herpesviridae/physiology Herpesviridae Infections/drug therapy/pathology/*veterinary Housing, Animal Hydrocortisone/blood Male Pheromones/*pharmacology Sleep Sneezing Stress, Physiological/*physiology B;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineContreras, Elena T Hodgkins, E Tynes, V Beck, A Olea-Popelka, F Lappin, M R eng Randomized Controlled Trial 2017/12/09 J Vet Intern Med. 2018 Jan; 32(1):406-417. doi: 10.1111/jvim.14894. Epub 2017 Dec 8" |
