Plus-Hex CLINICAL
Animals
Four females aged 13 months and two males aged 10 months participated in the study. At the beginning of the study, the dogs had been at SLU for 4 months and were relatively unaccustomed to people. They lived separated by sex in two different kennels. The dogs and facilities used in the study were approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation, Uppsala, Sweden, Approval No: Dnr 5.2.18-7454 / 15, User permit: Dnr 5.2.18-2636 / 15, Teaching permit: Dnr 5.8.18-15533 / 2018. The study did not need additional approval as no invasive procedures were performed.
Treatments
The treatments analysed were DEXO and FSAR, each requiring its own associated placebo. At each session, each dog received only one active treatment( DEXO or FSAR) and one placebo, or both placebo products.
DEXO( Sileo 0.1 mg / ml oromucosal gel, Orion Pharma Animal Health) was administered on to the oral mucosa. The recommended dose is 125 µ g / m 2 body surface area. The actual dose administered followed the recommended volume of gel by dog weight; 0.5 ml was used for the four females, which weighed under 12 kg, and 0.75 ml was used for the males. The dog toothpaste Petosan( Petosan AS; ingredients: aqua, hydrated silica, sorbitol, kaolin, glycerine, cellulose gum, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, disodium pyrophosphate, sodium saccharin, sodium benzoate) was selected as a placebo.
For FSAR, the manufacturer ' s recommendation for dogs under 15 kg is to give half a piece of a chew in the face of a stressful situation, and double the dose if necessary [ 24 ]. In this study, the higher dose was given, that is, a whole piece of chew per dog. The placebo for FSAR was Oliver ' s Grain Free Dog Snack. FSAR or the placebo snack was administered inside a meatball before DEXO( or Petosan as placebo) to prevent the DEXO / Petosan from being swallowed.
Each dog always received two preparations: one meatball( containing FSAR or the placebo snack) and one application of oral treatment( DEXO or Petosan). On the first and last occasions, only the placebo was given( pre-trial and post-trial sessions). During trial sessions 1, 2 and 3, the subjects received either only placebo or one placebo( Petosan or snack) and one treatment( DEXO or FSAR). Washout between trials was 2 – 3 days.
Four third-year veterinary nursing students acted as the examining VN at each trial session so the dogs would not get to know the staff. The VN was blinded to the preparations the dogs had received. To ensure correct identification, each dog wore their own distinct and different-coloured soft collar throughout the study( black, pink, yellow, purple, brown or red). On the day of each trial, the dog was given its two preparations.
The dog handler prepared and administered the preparations to each dog, as the DEXO and its placebo could not be masked due to their colour. Due to the Tmax of DEXO( 36 min), the preparations were allowed a minimum of 40 min to take effect. Two dogs were examined in succession, making the time from administration to examination vary within the range of 42 – 60 min. Thereafter, the dog was given a clinical examination, designed to imitate a general veterinary health check-up, performed by the VN. At the post-trial session, the dogs met the VN from the pre-trial session.
The examination followed a set protocol, with clinical examination steps carried out in an order specifically designed for the study. The protocol was tested before the study with other dogs to ensure correct procedures and consistency between all VNs. The examination was performed in a room that the dogs had been only briefly acquainted with. The same room was used for each examination. The VNs performing the examinations wore identical dark-blue clinic clothes. The dog handler wore their own clothes. The room was equipped with a height-adjustable examination table and other equipment needed to perform the clinical examination.
Physiological measurements
Parameters measured in the examinations were a visual count of RR at two separate times as the first and last parts of the examination( designated RR1 and RR2), HR measured with a stethoscope, rectal temperature measured with a digital thermometer, and MAP measured with a petMAP portable monitor( CardioCommand, Inc.). RR and HR were counted twice for 15 seconds and the values counted were multiplied by 4 to obtain RR1 / RR2 and HR per minute. Blood pressure was measured five times per examination to obtain a median MAP value.
Behavioural measurements
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 system cameras were used to film the dogs in their kennels before the experiment and a GoPro camera was used for filming in the examination room.
As part of the protocol, the VN evaluated and noted whether the dog interacted with them. The VN offered their extended hand to the dog at a predetermined time and position, observing whether the dog ignored the hand( recorded as‘ no’) or interacted with it by sniffing or licking it(‘ yes’).‘ Table interaction’ was thus categorised as‘ yes’ or‘ no’, depending on the dog ' s response to the VN ' s hand while on the examination table. The same assessment of interaction was made with the dog still on the floor. After review of the notes and recordings, the dog ' s behaviour when entering the room could be clearly classified as either‘ without hesitation’ or‘ needing an invitation’, and their willingness to get on
Volume 41( 4) • August 2026
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