Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Infrared Thermography and Physiological Variables as Methods for Recognizing Fear in Domestic Cats (Felis catus) Using Three Pharmacological Models: Cannabidiol, Gabapentin, and Synthetic Facial Pheromones
- Journal:
- Veterinary Sciences
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- F. Torres-Bernal et al.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
In this study, researchers looked at how to help domestic cats feel less scared during veterinary visits, especially when they might encounter dogs. They tested three treatments: cannabidiol (CBD), gabapentin (GABA), and synthetic facial pheromones (SFPs). By measuring things like body temperature, heart rate, and breathing, they found that cats given any of these treatments showed less fear compared to those that didn't receive any help. The results suggest that these treatments can effectively reduce stress and make visits to the vet easier for cats. Overall, the treatments worked well in helping to calm the cats.
Abstract
Simple Summary In Latin America, domestic cats often experience fear during veterinary procedures; this is especially the case when several species are received in veterinary hospitals, leading to marked physiological stress responses. This study evaluated whether three pharmacological interventions—cannabidiol (CBD), gabapentin (GABA), and synthetic facial pheromones (SFPs)—could mitigate fear-induced physiological alterations in cats exposed to a negative dog–cat interaction model. Using infrared thermography, changes in surface body temperature were monitored alongside heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature. Cats receiving any of the three treatments showed a marked reduction in fear-related physiological changes compared to untreated controls. These findings suggest that CBD, GABA, and SFP can help reduce stress and improve feline welfare in fear-inducing contexts such as veterinary visits.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/40559760