Fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) are prevalent concerns in veterinary settings, affecting not only the well-being of dogs but also the efficiency of veterinary procedures. Recent research aimed to compare the efficacy of aquaacupuncture vs trazadone in alleviating FAS indicators in healthy, stressed dogs during routine examinations and procedures.

Study

In this study, 55 dogs exhibiting signs of FAS or having a notable history of FAS in veterinary environments were included. Dogs, except those premedicated with trazodone (Group 4), were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: Group 1 received Aqua-AP at the An-shen point, Group 2 at the GB-21 point, and Group 3 served as untreated controls. Stress indicators such as heart rate, panting respiratory rate, behavior score, and saliva cortisol concentration were measured at baseline (T0) and 30 minutes post-treatment (T30).

The findings revealed that both Aqua-AP treatment groups experienced significant reductions in heart rate (p = 0.004 for Group 1 and p = 0.0005 for Group 2) and behavior scores (p = 0.0002 for Group 1 and p = 0.008 for Group 2) from T0 to T30. Importantly, the post-treatment values for the Aqua-AP groups were not significantly higher than those in the trazodone group, indicating noninferiority. Furthermore, Group 1 exhibited a significant decrease (p = 0.04) in the incidence of increased panting respiratory rate, a common indicator of stress.

In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in any measured stress parameters, underscoring the effectiveness of Aqua-AP in managing FAS. Although there were no significant changes in cortisol concentrations across groups, the post-treatment cortisol levels for the Aqua-AP groups did not exceed those of the trazodone group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.018, respectively), suggesting that Aqua-AP may provide a comparable option for stress management without the side effects often associated with pharmaceuticals.

Study Insights

These results highlight the potential of Aqua-AP as a viable alternative to traditional pharmacological interventions like trazodone for reducing FAS in dogs during veterinary visits. As veterinary professionals, understanding and implementing non-invasive methods such as Aqua-AP can enhance the overall experience for both dogs and their owners.

The conclusion of this aquaacupuncture vs trazadone study is that Aqua-AP demonstrates effectiveness in mitigating fear, anxiety, and stress during routine veterinary examinations, providing a promising noninferior option to trazodone. This study encourages veterinarians to consider integrative approaches in their practice, promoting a more compassionate and effective management of FAS in canine patients. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and broader applications of Aqua-AP in veterinary medicine.