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Frontiers in veterinary science2020; 7; 573309; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.573309

Use of Detomidine Oromucosal Gel for Alleviation of Acute Anxiety and Fear in Horses: A Pilot Study.

Abstract: The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical field study was to evaluate the effect of detomidine oromucosal gel in alleviating anxiety and fear in horses. Sixteen horses with a history of acute anxiety and fear associated with firework-related noise entered the study. On New Year's Eve, eight horses were treated with 30 μg/kg detomidine gel and eight horses with placebo gel. When fireworks were present, 75% (6/8) of the detomidine-treated horses were scored by their owners as having a good or excellent treatment effect on anxiety and fear, while 50% (3/6) of horses receiving placebo were scored to have a good effect. Horses' behavior was video-recorded and assessed with a focal animal continuous method by a treatment-blind expert observer. Results showed that when fireworks were present, walking behavior decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after treatment with detomidine and that horses of the placebo group, overall, showed more restlessness, vocalization, and signs of colic (Wilcoxon matched-pairs test on the first PC, p = 0.007). This study indicates that detomidine oromucosal gel can be used to alleviate acute noise-related anxiety and fear in horses, but larger treatment groups are needed to confirm the results.
Copyright © 2020 Dai, Rausk, Aspegren, Huhtinen, Cannas and Minero.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-20 PubMed ID: 33195566PubMed Central: PMC7606972DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.573309Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article is about a study where a specific oromucosal gel, Detomidine, was tested for its efficacy in reducing fear and anxiety in horses, specifically when exposed to firework-related noises.

Objective of Study

The main aim of this study was to assess the effect of an application of a detomidine oromucosal gel on horses who have demonstrated acute anxiety or fear, notably related to the noise produced by fireworks. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment wherein the behaviour of the horses – before and after applying the gel – was monitored and analyzed.

Methodology

  • A group of 16 horses known to exhibit fear and anxiety related to firework noises were selected.
  • These horses were randomly divided into two groups; one received 30 μg/kg of detomidine gel (8 horses) and the other received a placebo gel (8 horses).
  • The gel was administered on New Year’s Eve, a time when fireworks and associated noises would be reasonably expected.
  • Their behaviour was recorded on video and assessed by a treatment-blind expert observer using a method known as focal animal continuous.

Findings

  • 75% (6 out of 8) of the horses which were given detomidine gel showed a good or excellent reduction in anxiety and fear according to assessments done by their owners. This was compared to 50% (3 out of 8) horses that received the placebo gel and were reported to have good results.
  • After analyzing the horse’s behaviors, a significant decrease in their walking behavior was observed with the horses that received detomidine when fireworks were present.
  • On the other hand, horses from the placebo group were notably more restless, vocalized more, and showed more signs of colic.

Conclusions

Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that detomidine oromucosal gel may be effective in relieving acute noise-induced anxiety and fear in horses. However, the results should be validated with larger treatment groups as the sample size for this study was relatively small.

Cite This Article

APA
Dai F, Rausk J, Aspegren J, Huhtinen M, Cannas S, Minero M. (2020). Use of Detomidine Oromucosal Gel for Alleviation of Acute Anxiety and Fear in Horses: A Pilot Study. Front Vet Sci, 7, 573309. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.573309

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 7
Pages: 573309

Researcher Affiliations

Dai, Francesca
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Rausk, Julia
  • Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.
Aspegren, John
  • Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma, R&D, Espoo, Finland.
Huhtinen, Mirja
  • Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma, R&D, Espoo, Finland.
Cannas, Simona
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Minero, Michela
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Gerow SL, Clegg SR, Cooke AS. Horse and donkey owners' perspectives on fireworks and their impact on equids in the UK. Anim Welf 2026;35:e11.
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  2. Klinck M, Lovett A, Sykes B. Incorporating a Behavioral Medicine Approach in the Multi-Modal Management of Chronic Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS): A Clinical Commentary. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 17;15(20).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15203019pubmed: 41153946google scholar: lookup
  3. Riva MG, Dai F, Huhtinen M, Minero M, Barbieri S, Dalla Costa E. The Impact of Noise Anxiety on Behavior and Welfare of Horses from UK and US Owner's Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 21;12(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12101319pubmed: 35625165google scholar: lookup
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