Hopefully this new product may help some of our furry friends who get so stressed out by fireworks at this time of year - Zoetis has launched Sileo, a novel oromucosal gel designed to help calm pets suffering noise phobias. Sileo is designed to treat pets with noise phobias. Image: Zoetis. Containing the active ingredient dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, a selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, Sileo provides a micro-dose to help dogs calm down or remain calm in situations involving fear-eliciting sounds. Sileo is presented in a 3ml oral syringe that can be used to apply multiple doses. It has a non-drowsy, quick onset of action and will take effect within 15-60 minutes and last for 2-3 hours. Should the fear-eliciting noise continue, further doses can be given at two-hour intervals up to a total of five times during each event. The clinical effects of dexmedetomidine are dose dependent and the anxiolytic effect is reached before the sedative effect. Wide range of applications Animal behaviourist and vet Jon Bowen said: “Fear of seasonal loud noises, such as fireworks, thunder and gunshots, are known to affect around 50% of the UK dog population, but the prevalence of fears of other everyday noises and the extent to which those fears contribute to nuisance and problem behaviour in dogs is something we are researching. “Sileo is ideal as an acute anxiolytic for planned or expected events, but has an even wider range of potential applications in planned events that involve stressful noise exposure including travel, social gatherings and visits to the vet.”
