Effects on behavioural variables of oral versus transdermal buspirone administration in cats displaying urine marking

Urine marking in cats is one of the most recurrent pathologies observed in clinical consults. The cause can be (amongst others) stress, anxiety, litter box aversion, hormonal disturbance, or territoriality or other responses to other cats. In addition to environmental enrichment, treatment consists of sterilization and/or the use of pheromones, and in some cases is complemented with drug therapy; the use of buspirone is considered appropriate. The goal of this study was to evaluate, with a clinical study, significant differences between oral and transdermal buspirone administration. Individual evaluation and directed selection established two experimental groups. Patients in Group 1 were given buspirone tablets and patients in Group 2 were given buspirone in the form of pluronic lecithin organogel. Effects were evaluated after 35 days of treatment. Statistical analysis of results indicated no significant differences between oral and transdermal administration on the reduction in frequency of urine marking. Nevertheless, a significant reduction in marking frequency was observed following treatment (p <.05) for both forms of buspirone administration.