Ceva Animal Health has launched Adaptil Stress Relief Now, a non-pheromone tablet to help dogs cope with predictable but unavoidable short-term stressful situations such as vet visits and car journeys.Ceva Animal Health has launched Adaptil Stress Relief Now, a non-pheromone tablet to help dogs cope with predictable but unavoidable short-term stressful situations such as vet visits and car journeys.

The new product contains GABA, which, according to Ceva, plays a central role in relaxation by limiting the nerve cell activity in the areas of the brain associated with anxiety.1 It also contains L-tryptophan to increase serotonin synthesis1 and reduce stress-related behaviours in dogs.2 It also contains T-theanine, which Ceva says increases the release of GABA and inhibits the binding of the excitatory neurotransmitter L-glutamic acid to its receptors,1,3 with the effect of reducing anxiety and improving learning abilities.4 Finally, the product also contains B Vitamins (B1,B3, B6, B8 and B12), which the company says helps the body cope with the effects of stress.5

Ceva says that by administering the tablets to dogs two hours before any predictable stressful event and boosting levels of these naturally occurring substances, Adaptil Stress Relief Now tablets have been shown to help 80% of dogs remain relaxed in stressful situations, with the effect lasting up to four hours after administration.6 

Sarah Endersby, Senior Veterinary Advisor at Ceva said: "Pet owners often want advice from their vets to help their dog's cope with a potentially stressful event that is approaching. Many want a reliable and quick-acting solution, especially if the event is infrequent or of a short duration. An oral anxiolytic can be really useful in this situation, and can be used alongside targeted behavioural training to help the dog cope."

According to the company, study trials have proven a high safety margin, with no recognised side effects and no impact on clinical parameters.6 In palatability trials, 90% of dogs chose to eat them with no prompting.6

Ceva recommends the new product is used alone or in combination with other products in the existing Adaptil range for common stressful situations for dogs, including: house parties / visitors, fireworks, thunderstorms, noise phobias, travel, veterinary visits and visits to groomers.

For more information about Adaptil Stress Relief Now tablets, including client literature, please speak to your local Ceva representative.

References

  1. Alramadhan, E., M. S. Hanna, M. S. Hanna, T. A. Goldstein, S. M. Avila, and B. S. Weeks, 2012, Dietary and botanical anxiolytics, Medical Science Monitor, v. 18, no. 4, p. RA40-RA48.
  2. DeNapoli, J. S., N. H. Dodman, L. Shuster, W. M. Rand, and K. L. Gross, 2000, Effect of dietary protein content and tryptophan supplementation on dominance aggression, territorial aggression, and hyperactivity in dogs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, v. 217, no. 4, p. 504-508.
  3. Kakuda, T., A. Nozawa, A. Sugimoto, and H. Niino, 2002, Inhibition by theanine of binding of [3H]AMPA, [3H]kainate, and [3H]MDL 105,519 to glutamate receptors, Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry, v. 66, no. 12, p. 2683-2686.
  4. Ritsner, M. S., C. Miodownik, Y. Ratner, T. Shleifer, M. Mar, L. Pintov, and V. Lerner, 2011, L-theanine relieves positive, activation, and anxiety symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-center study, Journal of clinical psychiatry, v. 72, no. 1, p. 34-42.
  5. Thompson, J., 2005a, Vitamins, minerals and supplements: part three, Community practitioner, v. 78, no. 11, p. 407-408.
  6. Study Report, Evaluation of the voluntary acceptance, consumption and tolerance of Adaptil oral tablets in dogs, ST 2013-02 Vetpharma/De Morgenstond.

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