Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 1–11

Delphine Metz 1, Tiphaine Medam 2 and Sylvia Masson 3

  • 1 Veterinary Clinic of Moulin, Truchtersheim, France
  • 2 Independent Researcher, Jouques, France
  • 3 Clinique vétérinaire de la Tivollière, Voreppe, France

Abstract

Objectives Venlafaxine, a specific inhibitor of both noradrenaline and serotonin, is commonly used in human
medicine to treat depression, anxiety and social phobia. Its formulation in small granules renders it interesting to
test on cats, which are usually reluctant to take medication. Venlafaxine was administered at 1 mg/kg for 60 days,
using a double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol, to cats aged ⩾6 months exhibiting aggressiveness, fear or
house-soiling.
Methods After one cat’s withdrawal, 21 cats were included in the study: 11 in the venlafaxine group and 10 in
the placebo group. Three consultations were conducted, on day 0, day 30 and day 60. Each visit consisted of
(1) veterinarian- and owner-based scoring of the cat’s behavioural improvement; (2) scoring of the cat’s compliance
with removal from its carrier and compliance with manipulation; and (3) owner scoring of the ease of administration
and recording of the potential adverse effects of the treatment.
Results Improvement was significantly higher in the venlafaxine group; as early as day 30, according to the
veterinarian scoring, and at day 60, according to both the veterinarian and owner scoring. In contrast, neither the
removal nor the manipulation scores were significantly different between the two treatment groups. Venlafaxine
seemed to improve all three studied signs, as early as day 30 for fear and aggressiveness, and at day 60 for housesoiling.
The adverse effects of venlafaxine were limited to drowsiness in one cat. All cats tolerated the treatment
well during the 60-day period.
Conclusions and relevance These results suggest that venlafaxine is efficient in treating several behavioural
problems and is easy to administer. More studies should be conducted to explore its effects at different dosages
on specific diagnoses.


Psychiatrie vétérinaire du chien

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