Compositions containing pheromones for treating behavioural or medical problems linked to the stress of non-human mammals

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition containing pheromones comprising a carrier solvent, and to the use thereof for preventing and/or treating the behavioural or medical problems linked to the stress of non-human mammals. The invention also relates to a device for diffusing such a composition into the ambient air, and to a kit comprising said composition.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A pheromone-based composition comprising at least one pheromone and at least one carrier solvent characterized by the following properties:
 a vapor pressure (VP) of between 1 and 10 Pa (measured at 20 or 25° C.), and   a flash point of greater than or equal to 95° C.   
     
     
         2 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier solvent has a vapor pressure of between 4 and 8 Pa, advantageously of between 5 and 7 Pa. 
     
     
         3 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flash point of the carrier solvent is between 96 and 200° C. 
     
     
         4 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier solvent is a biodegradable synthetic product. 
     
     
         5 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier solvent has at least one of the following properties:
 it is not a petroleum-derived solvent;   it has a purity of greater than 95%;   it is not classified as dangerous by inhalation;   it does not contain any carbon-based C8-C18 monoester; or   it is odorless.   
     
     
         6 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier solvent has all of the following properties:
 it is not a petroleum-derived solvent;   it has a purity of greater than 95%;   it is not classified as dangerous by inhalation;   it does not contain any carbon-based C8-C18 monoester; or   it is odorless.   
     
     
         7 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier solvent comprises at least one dibasic ester of formula (I) 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are independently linear or branched alkyl groups comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. 
       
     
     
         8 . The composition as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein R 1  and R 3  are identical. 
     
     
         9 . The composition as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein R 1  and R 3  are isobutyl groups. 
     
     
         10 . The composition as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the dibasic ester is selected in the group consisting of dimethyl 2-methylpentanedioate, diisobutyl hexanedioate, diisobutyl glutarate, diisobutyl succinate, and at least one mixture thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises between 50 and 99.9% of carrier solvent. 
     
     
         12 . The composition as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the composition comprises between 95% and 97% of dibasic ester by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         13 . The composition as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the composition comprises about 96.5% of dibasic ester by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         14 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pheromones of said composition comprise at least one fatty acid or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The composition as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the derivative of said at least one fatty acid is an ester derivative. 
     
     
         16 . The composition as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the derivative of said at least one fatty acid is a methyl ester derivative. 
     
     
         17 . The composition as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the fatty acid is selected in the group consisting of oleic acid, palmitic acid, n-butyric acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, stearic acid, azelaic acid, pimelic acid, linolenic acid, pentanoic acid, arachidonic acid, isobutyric acid, pivalic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, tridecanoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The composition as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said composition comprises 0.01% to about 5% by weight of fatty acid or of derivative thereof, relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating at least one behavioural or medical problem linked to stress in a non-human animal comprising administering a composition as defined in  claim 18  to said non-human animal. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the behavioral problem linked to stress is selected from the group consisting of urine marking, aggressiveness, scratching, excessive grooming, territorial conflicts, reduced play and social contact, hyperagitation, prostration, and destruction. 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the medical problem linked to stress is selected from the group consisting of cystitis, dermatological problems, alopecia, anorexia, obesity, diarrhea, and respiratory infections. 
     
     
         22 . A kit comprising a composition as claimed in  claim 1  and/or a device suited to diffusion of said composition into the ambient air and optionally instructions for use.