Premium
Calming effect of orally administered γ‐aminobutyric acid in Shih Tzu dogs
Author(s) -
UETAKE Katsuji,
OKUMOTO Ayano,
TANI Noriko,
GOTO Akihiro,
TANAKA Toshio
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-0929.2012.01024.x
Subject(s) - oral administration , medicine , body weight , pharmacology , endocrinology
The calming effects of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) by oral administration were investigated in four adult Shih Tzu dogs. Three dosage levels (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight) and non‐administration were tested by an increase and decrease method. Changes in activity (for 1.5 h) and urinary cortisol levels (pre‐administration, 3 and 7 h later) of dogs were monitored after administration. Without reference to dosage level, the mean times spent standing ( P = 0.06), sitting ( P < 0.05) and walking ( P < 0.05) tended to decrease compared to non‐administration. A significant depression in the urinary cortisol level was observed at 7 h after administration ( P < 0.05). These results indicate that orally administrated GABA exerts calming effects on dogs as well as humans.