Class Pheromonotherapy in Companion Animals, Production Animals and Exotics

This optional curricular unit will complement the curriculum in the area of animal behaviour and animal welfare, providing innovative clinical applications of this topic in companion animals, farm animals and exotics medicine.

Not applicable

Fundamentals of chemical communication in the Animal Kingdom – definitions and classification. Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the chemical communication. Pheromone therapy in companion animals – application in cats, dogs, horses. Pheromone therapy in farm animals – application in pigs, cattle, and poultry farming. Pheromone therapy in exotic species –application in mice, rabbits, wild species.

The classes with be taught in the format of lectures (hybrid online and presential format) and the presentation of clinical cases and research studies on these topics. The assessment will be done in a problem-based learning format, which will have to be solved by the students under the supervision of the teachers and presented orally.

Pageat P, Gaultier E. Current research in canine and feline pheromones. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2003 Mar;33(2):187-211. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(02)00128-6.  Marcet-Rius, M., Mendonça, T., Pageat, P. et al. Effect of wither application of an analogue of pig appeasing pheromone on encounters between unfamiliar mini-pigs. Porc Health Manag 8, 50 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-022-00294-7 Osella MC, Cozzi A, Spegis C, Turille G, Barmaz A, Lecuelle CL, Teruel E, Bienboire-Frosini C, Chabaud C, Bougrat L, Pageat P. The effects of a synthetic analogue of the Bovine Appeasing Pheromone on milk yield and composition in Valdostana dairy cows during the move from winter housing to confined lowland pastures. J Dairy Res. 2018 May;85(2):174-177. doi: 10.1017/S0022029918000262. PMID: 29785915.