Many dogs show significant signs of stress when having an appointment at the vet. We want to assess if clonidine can reduce stress in dogs during these visits.

We wish to enroll about 22 dogs in this study. This is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. During one visit, your dog will receive clonidine. During the other visit, your dog will receive the placebo. Neither you nor the veterinarian will know which treatment your dog receives during each visit.

Eligibility: Dogs must be evaluated by the Behavior service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) to determine eligibility. They must also fit the following criteria:

• Age: 1-10 years old
• Weight: 5-40 kg
• Healthy, no medical history of heart disease or seizure
• No history of biting veterinary staff
• No severe car anxiety or motion sickness
• Able to tolerate wearing a harness

Compensation: All costs of the study, including the screening visit, will be paid for by the study.

Owner Responsibilities: You will be asked to do:

• 3 weekend visits to SACP, 1 week apart
• Chest hair clipping for HRV monitoring device placement
• At-home administration of clonidine or placebo 90 minutes prior to each visit
• Use of an HRV monitoring harness and app during the car ride to the hospital. Use of personal mobile device and data plan, with internet data usage required

Principal Investigators: Sun Kim, DVM, DACVB, PhD, Kate Anderson, DVM, DACVB, Yeonhee Lee, DVM

Contact/Schedule an Appointment: Please contact the behavior service or clinical trials coordinator at 607.253.3060, or email vet-research@cornell.edu. Your referring veterinarian may also contact the hospital to refer your pet.