Bailey H. Eagan

Introduction: Animals in shelters commonly experience fear, anxiety, and stress. Psychoactive medications and non-medication alternative options are recommended and used in shelters to manage these negative affective states, yet little is known about the current practices, perceptions, and barriers surrounding their use. Methods: This study investigated the use and perceptions of psychoactive medications and non-medication alternative options in animal shelters and rescues across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. An online survey collected responses from 233 participants representing 148 unique shelters, focusing on the frequency of use, comfort administering, and efficacy, as well as barriers and considerations influencing psychoactive medication and non-medication alternative use decisions. Results: Results showed that dogs experiencing fear were more frequently treated with psychoactive medications than cats experiencing fear. Gabapentin and fluoxetine were the most commonly used medications for fearful cats, while trazodone and gabapentin were the most commonly used for fearful dogs, with respondents reporting high ratings for both comfort in administering these medications to animals, and perceived efficacy of these medications at reducing anxiety in animals. Pheromones and nutraceuticals were the most commonly used non-medication alternative options. There was high agreement with the statement that admittance to an animal shelter is the main cause of behavior and welfare problems, and that welfare concerns are a key justification for providing psychoactive medication. Cost and uncertainty about the efficacy of treatments emerged as leading barriers to psychoactive medication administration. Specific characteristics, including the respondent’s role and type of shelter, influenced perceptions about psychoactive medications and alternatives, and barriers to their use. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of further understanding the efficacy and safety of psychoactive medication and alternatives, as well as addressing the barriers to their administration, to improve overall welfare outcomes for cats and dogs in shelter and rescue environments.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of daily gabapentin on behavior modification progression and signs of stress in fearful shelter cats from hoarding environments. ANIMALS: 37 cats (32 met inclusion criteria). PROCEDURES: Healthy fearful cats were entered into group (1) gabapentin or (2) placebo upon intake. Both groups received daily behavior modification. Cats received 10 mg/kg of liquid gabapentin or placebo every 12 hours. Daily measures of cat stress score, latency to emerge from hiding, general in-shelter behavior, and urine suppression were collected. Results were analyzed on an intention-to-treat and per-protocol basis (including only cats that received > 75% of their doses). Post-adoption surveys assessed cat social behavior. RESULTS: Of 32 fearful cats, 28 (87.5%) graduated from the behavior modification program in a median of 11 days (range, 4 to 51 days). Per-protocol analysis showed that gabapentin predicted quicker behavior modification progression and lower cat stress score, latency to emerge, and urine suppression compared to placebo. Median time to graduation was reduced by half with gabapentin. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that gabapentin predicted a lower cat stress score and latency to emerge. No differences were observed between groups for general in-shelter behavior. Among limited survey respondents (n = 7), despite showing unsocial behavior in the first week and among unfamiliar people, cats showed social behavior 1 year post-adoption. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Daily gabapentin was beneficial in behavior modification progress and reduced signs of stress in shelter cats. Fearful cats from hoarding environments can be successfully treated with behavior modification ± daily gabapentin within an animal shelter.