Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Numerous dogs are stressed during a stay at a veterinary clinic. Stress has an impact physically as well as mentally, and may influence animal care. There are different ways to prevent and handle animal stress. Dog Appeasing Pheromones (DAP) is sometimes used to reduce stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential need for stressreducers, explore the use of DAP and evaluate pheromonatherapy for dogs as a potential stressreducer within veterinary health care. Information was gathered through a survey sent to Swedish veterinary clinics. The survey was open from 4th of March to the 22nd of March 2013. 20 respondents chose to participate. A literature study was executed parallel to the survey to investigate the effect of DAP. A majority of the respondents experienced that their clinic sometimes were visited by stressed dogs. The use of pheromonatherapy seemed to differ between clinics. DAP diffusers were the most commonly used product among the different types of pheromonatherapy that are available in Sweden. A number of clinics stated that they used both DAP spray and DAP collar. Several respondents experienced that the use of DAP made the dogs less stressed and less frightened. The literature study showed some evidence that pheromonatherapy for dogs in different situations have a calming effect.The conclusion of this report is that a need for stressreducers exists within veterinary health care. Furthermore, the survey and the literature study suggest that pheromonatherapy should be considered within veterinary clinics for improving animal health care. In addition, further studies are required for the use of DAP within veterinary clinics.