Data_Sheet_1_Efficacy of a Single Dose of Pregabalin on Signs of Anxiety in Cats During Transportation—A Pilot Study.PDF

Objectives: The aim of this clinical pilot study was to evaluate the dosage, efficacy, and clinical safety of a single oral dose of pregabalin in cats that experience fear and anxiety when placed into a carrier and transported by car.Methods: Thirteen client-owned cats were enrolled in a blinded, randomized, crossover study with three treatment days approximately 1 week apart. The cats were assigned to receive pregabalin oral solution at dosages of 5 and 10 mg/kg and placebo in a randomized order, one treatment per week. Treatment was administered ~90 min before placing the cat into a carrier and starting transportation. Efficacy was assessed by the owners using a categorical scale and, based on video recordings, by an external observer, both blinded to the treatment.Results: Owners assessed that cats given pregabalin displayed less vocalization, restlessness, and panting during transportation than did cats given placebo. Correlation between owners' and external observer's assessment of the overall treatment effect was good (0.63, p < 0.01), which confirms the owners' ability to observe reliably their own cat's behavior. Transient mild ataxia was the most common adverse event reported. The human commercial formulation used in this study was found difficult or very difficult to administer by 79% of the owners.Conclusions and Relevance: Based on results of this pilot study, a single oral dose of pregabalin was well tolerated and decreased signs of anxiety and fear associated with car transportation in cats, as evaluated by blinded owners and external observer. The use of pregabalin prior to traveling may improve cat welfare and compliance for transportation. Further studies are needed to investigate the use of oral pregabalin in cats to alleviate signs of anxiety and fear associated with transportation and sequelae, like veterinary visits, and to develop a more user-friendly formulation.

研究目标：本临床试点研究的目的是评估单次口服加巴喷丁对经历被放入携带箱并在汽车中运输时感到恐惧和焦虑的猫咪的剂量、疗效和临床安全性。研究方法：将十三只宠物主人的猫咪纳入一项盲法、随机交叉研究，研究分为三个治疗日，相隔大约一周。猫咪被随机分配接受5 mg/kg和10 mg/kg的加巴喷丁口服溶液以及安慰剂，顺序随机，每周一次治疗。治疗在将猫咪放入携带箱并开始运输前约90分钟进行。疗效由主人使用分类量表评估，并基于视频记录，由外部观察者评估，两者均对治疗情况保密。研究结果：主人评估，给予加巴喷丁的猫咪在运输过程中比给予安慰剂的猫咪表现出更少的叫声、不安和喘息。主人和外部观察者对总体治疗效果的评估之间存在良好的相关性（0.63，p < 0.01），这证实了主人能够可靠地观察自身猫咪的行为。最常见的不良事件是短暂性的轻度共济失调。在本研究中使用的商业人用配方，79%的主人认为难以或非常难以给药。结论与相关性：基于本试点研究结果，单次口服加巴喷丁在猫咪中具有良好的耐受性，并减轻了与汽车运输相关的焦虑和恐惧症状，这一结果由盲法主人和外部观察者评估。在旅行前使用加巴喷丁可能改善猫咪的福利和运输时的顺从性。需要进一步研究以调查在猫咪中使用口服加巴喷丁以缓解与运输相关的焦虑和恐惧症状以及后续事件（如兽医就诊）的使用，并开发更易于使用的配方。