Effectiveness of imepitoin for the control of anxiety and fear associated with noise phobia in dogs.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Noise phobia is a common behavior problem in dogs for which there are limited treatment options. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of imepitoin in comparison to placebo for the control of anxiety and fear associated with noise phobia in dogs. ANIMALS: Two hundred thirty-eight client-owned dogs with noise phobia were recruited in veterinary clinics. METHODS: This placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial used a predictable noise event as eliciting context, the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks in Germany and the Netherlands. Owners began treatment 2&#x2009;days before the anticipated noise event with administration of either imepitoin 30&#x2009;mg/kg body weight Q12h or placebo for 3 consecutive days. On New Year's Eve, owners noted their observations of their dog's fear and anxiety behavior at 1600, 2200, 0020, and 0100&#x2009;hours and scored the overall treatment effect on the following day. RESULTS: In the 16-item owner report of fear and anxiety signs, fear and anxiety behaviors were significantly reduced under imepitoin treatment compared to placebo (delta -6.1 scoring points; P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.0001). A significantly higher proportion of owners reported a good or excellent overall treatment effect in the imepitoin group compared to placebo (odds ratio 4.689; 95% CI, 2.79-7.89; P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.0001). CONCLUSION: Imepitoin effectively controls fear and anxiety associated with noise phobia in dogs.