ACVB Seminal Articles Flashcards
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
What was the study design?
Data were gathered on the behavioural and physiological characteristics of five cribbers, six weavers and six non-stereotypic (control) mature Thoroughbred geldings for a period of 16 weeks. The horses were hired from their owners and stabled individually throughout the trial. Cribbers and weavers had been known to stereotype for at least 12 months prior to commencement of the study. Behavioural data were collected using video surveillance.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
At what times did cribbers stereotype most frequently? What about weavers?
Cribbers stereotyped most frequently (P < 0.001) in the period 2–8 h following delivery of concentrated food, reinforcing the suggestion that diet is implicated in cribbing behaviour. Weavers stereotyped most frequently (P < 0.001) during periods of high environmental activity such as during routine pre-feeding activities and in the hour prior to daily turnout, presumably when anticipation and stimulation were at their highest levels.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
Did cribbers and weavers take more or less time to consume their feed compared to control horses?
Cribbers and weavers took longer than control horses to fully consume their ration, suggesting possible differences in motivation to feed, distress levels, satiety mechanisms or abdominal discomfort.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
How did oro-caecal transit time, digestibility, plasma cortisol concentration and heart rate vary between the cribbing/weaving horses and the control horses?
Physiological data were collected throughout the trial and there were no differences in oro-caecal transit time, digestibility, plasma cortisol concentration or heart rate among the three behavioural groups.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008. How do they define stereotypies?
Relatively invariant behaviour patterns with no apparent function.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
What percentage of stabled horses display stereotypies?
These authors reference Nicol. 1999. Proceedings of the BEVA Specialist Days on Behaviour and Nutrition.
Oral and locomotory stereotypies are common among
intensively managed horses, being reported in approximately 4% and 3% of the adult horse
population, respectively.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008. Numerous management techniques have been blamed for the development of stereotypies
in horses. Which are discussed in this paper?
These include confinement, isolation from other horses, provision of small concentrated feeds and both a lack of stimulation and
an over-abundance of environmental activity.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
The horses in this study were stabled for the average number of hours per day of stabled race horses. How long is that?
These authors reference McGreevy. 1994. Equine Behavior: A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists.
Horses spent 22 h per day in their stables, in accordance with usual confinement of a stabled race horse
(McGreevy, 2004).
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
How many times per day did cribbers crib?
Cribbers were observed to crib-bite 147.0 +/-33.1 times per daily period of observation. Since
horses were each only observed for 10% of the 22 h that they were in the stables each day
(132 min of observation per day in total), the actual cribbing frequency is likely to have been
approximately 1470 events per horse per day, assuming behaviour was evenly distributed
throughout each 5 min block.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
How many times per day did weavers weave?
Weavers were observed to weave 53.0 +/- 12.4 times per daily period of observation, equating to a daily weaving frequency of approximately 530 events per
horse.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
It is common to hear in the riding community that horses learn stereotypies through mimicry. Is this idea supported by the findings of this study?
No. No stereotypic behaviour was observed in any of the control horses in this study, despite visual contact with stereotypic horses. This short-term finding supports the research of Marsden (1995) and McGreevy (1999), which also suggest that horses do not learn these behaviours by mimicry.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
Do the authors believe that cribbing in their study can be explained by gastric pain?
Maybe. The finding that cribbers stereotype most frequently during and particularly following
consumption of meals supports the results of other researchers (Kennedy et al., 1993; Gillham
et al., 1994; McGreevy et al., 1995; McGreevy and Nicol, 1998a; Cooper et al., 2005). However,
the peak cribbing frequency in the current study began 2–4 h post-feeding and reached its highest
point 6–8 h post-feeding, which is a longer time-frame than previously reported. This suggests
that gastric pain was not the sole source of any visceral discomfort that cribbers underwent in the
current study. If cribbing is indeed a response to visceral discomfort, it appears more probable
from the current data, that it is related to fermentative acidosis in the hindgut, since the
commencement of the period of maximal post-feeding cribbing (between 2 and 8 h post-feeding)
coincided temporally with the initial arrival of ingesta in the caecum (approximately 110 min
post-feeding). That said, it is also possible
that there is a cumulative effect of concentrated food reaching the inflamed gastric lining,
resulting in greater discomfort as the horse continues to eat for up to 9 h after delivery of the
ration.
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
Do the authors report that cribbing increases or decreases oro-caecal transit time?
Cribbers tended to have a shorter oro-caecal transit time than control horses. This differs from
the findings of McGreevy and Nicol (1998b), who have suggested that cribbing may help to
shorten oro-caecal transit time in horses that would otherwise have a slow rate of passage through
the foregut, resulting in a decrease in their oro-caecal transit time to within a normal range. In the
current study, it is possible that cribbing may have shortened oro-caecal transit time even more
than has been reported previously
Clegg et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2008.
DO the findings of this study support the idea that cribbing occurs as a result of a horses unmet need to forage (motivation to display foraging behavior when no feed is available)?
No. The theory that cribbing occurs in stabled horses as a result of a behavioural need to
feed is questioned by this research, particularly as cribbing occurred while feed was still
available.
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
Free-living domestic cats form social groups. Who are these groups typically composed of?
Females who are usually related and their offspring. Female kinship is basis of group formation.
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
Allogrooming in cats occurs as part of:
- Mating (Bradshaw/Cameron-Beaumont)
- Mother-young interactions (same authors)
- Between sexually intact adult cats that are not mother-offspring pairs
- Between all sex combos
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
What is function of allogrooming?
Primarily social, except when young kittens groomed by Mom
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
What was a relative equivalent in this study?
Cat who was not related to the focal cat but who had been in the colony for the same amount of time as the focal cat
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
What was the stipulation when the term “related” was used to describe the cats studied in the colony?
Only referred to matrilineal relationships b/c paternity was unknown for these cats
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
The number of times a cat was within 1 meter of a focal cat (the individual cat who was being observed by the researchers) and allogroomed by a given cat was significantly associated with what?
Being a relative and familiarity between cats (ie, how long they had lived together)
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
What was the difference between cats with relatives who were present in the colony for 7 months and cats with relatives who were present in the colony for 76 months?
of times relative was within 1 m and mean # of times nonrelative cat was within 1 m of focal cat was lower for cats who knew each other for 7 months vs cats who knew each other 76 months
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
What was the difference in the # of times a cat was within 1 m of the focal cat and # of times a cat was groomed by the focal cat between relative cats vs relative equivalent cats?
Relative cats were more likely to be within 1 m than relative equivalents; relatives were groomed significantly more likely than relative equivalents
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
How much more frequent was the mean # of grooming events with a relative cat than with relative equivalent?
6.3 times
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
What was the commonality in all 6 of the cats who groomed relatives more than non-relatives?
They were all from groups in which the mother was present in the colony
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
What were the main findings of this study?
- Allogrooming serves social function to establish and maintain affiliative relationships. Not just hygienic function.
- Cats in this colony preferentially remained near and allogroomed their relatives and cats with who they were more familiar more than nonrelatives and cats with who they were less familiar.
- Longer unrelated cats live together, the more they groom each other and spend time together.
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
What relationship did Barry and Crowell-Davis find between the length of time cats cohabitated and rate of aggression?
Inverse. Longer unrelated cats live together, the less aggression.
Curtis, Knowles, Crowell-Davis 2003. AJVR.
What was a limitation in this study regarding the contact between cats prior to the study?
The cats with relatives spent time with their relatives during socialization prior to introduction to the colony. No nonrelatives were kept together during this period. Strong social bonding with these cats may have occurred if there had been contact.
MEMO Buffington:
In what journal and what year was the Buffington MEMO study published? (Clinical Evaluation of MEMO in the management of cats with idiopathic cystitis)
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2006
MEMO Buffington:
What was included in the client education to adjust in the environment of the cats in the study?
physical environment
diet (change to wet food)
interactions with other cats
minimize stress from other animals in the home
minimize stress from humans in the cat’s environment
MEMO Buffington:
What type of study was it?
prospective observational study (a study design in which the documentation of the presence or absence of an exposure of interest is documented at a time period preceding the onset of the condition being studied)
MEMO Buffington:
What was the methodology of the study?
46 client-owned indoor-housed cats with FIC diagnosed based on a history of recurrent LUTS (2 bouts of LUTS in past 10 months) referred to Ohio State U CVM. Interviewed clients and then educated on MEMO, and followed up for 10 months.
MEMO Buffington:
What were the significant results in which MEMO improved in the study?
Significant (P < 0.05) reductions in LUTS, fearfulness, nervousness, signs referable to the respiratory tract
MEMO Buffington:
What were the most commonly followed recommendations of clients in the study?
- Read the client education
- Increase amount of time interacting with the cat
- Change to a canned diet
- Add another litterbox.
- Change letterbox location and cleaning frequency
- Address inter-cat conflict
MEMO Buffington:
What percentage of cats did not experience any LUTS int he 10 months of f/u in the study after implementation of MEMO?
70-75% of the cats had no observable signs
MEMO Buffington:
According to this study, what illnesses are more common in indoor cats
Behavioral problems (Heidenberger 1997 diabetes (Rand et al 2004) dental disease hyperthyroidism obesity separation anxiety disorder urolithiasis (Buffington 2002)
MEMO Buffington:
How were cats excluded from this study?
Urinalysis r/o UTI
Abdominal rad r/o urolithiasis
MEMO Buffington:
Was a canned diet beneficial in the 14/46 cats in this study who tried it? How many cats experienced recurrence?
0/4 cats in single cat home experienced recurrence vs 4/10 cats in multicast homes experienced recurrence
What journal and year was the Dodman paper on Dominance Aggression published?
Dodman, N. H., et al. “Use of fluoxetine to treat dominance aggression in dogs.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 209.9 (1996): 1585-1587.
APA
Dodman 1996:
According to Borchelt 1985 what is another name for dominance aggression?
social dominance
Dodman 1996:
According to this paper, what is the goal of dominance aggression for the dog?
It is a form of “affective aggression” that serves to preserve status, self, and resources
Dodman 1996:
What was the study style/set up?
Single-blind crossover study; placebo-controlled blind. Dogs various breeds/ages (9 months to 6 yrs) treated w/ placebo for 1 week, then fluox 1 mg/kg for 4 weeks
Dodman 1996:
Name some major limitations to this study
8/9 dogs were male, only 1 female
Small sample size
Dodman 1996:
What were the significant findings from this study?
Fluoxetine caused significant reduction in owner-directed aggression after 3 weeks of tx.
Dodman 1996:
The statistical test used in this study was Wilcoxon’s test. Is this a parametric or non-parametric statistical test?
Wilcoxon’s test is non-parametric. Non parametric is usually means that you know the population data does not have a normal distribution.
Dodman 1996: How many dogs experienced adverse events in the fluoxetine period vs control period?
6/9 dogs during fluox phase, 4/9 in placebo phase. decreased daytime activity (2 dogs) Increased daytime activity (1) Increased nocturnal activity 1 Decreased food intake 2 Increased food 1 Decreased water intake 1 Increased alertness/responsiveness 2 Shaking 2 Increased barking 2 Reclusion 1
Dodman 1996:
As referenced in this paper, effective programs of behavior modification can cause how significant a reduction in aggression per Reisney 1994?
62% reduction
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What are pheromones?
Nonvolatile or ephemeral (lasting very short time) chemicals that activate vomeronasal organ neurons or main olfactory epithelium neurons (2,3)
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What factors were used to assess methodological quality?
- 3 parameters used to address risk for biased estimates of treatment effect (randomization - generalization and concealment of allocation to treatment groups, masking, attrition)
- Grading of evidence quality based on type of study (blinded RCT > controlled trial lacking blinding or clear randomization > cohort study > case control, case series, descriptive study, case report
- # study subjects per group
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What factors were used to assess subject enrollment quality?
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What factors were used to assess outcome measures?
- % complete or near complete remission, % partial remission, relapse rate
- Used to determine effect size (number measuring the strength of the relationship between two variables in a population or a sample-based estimate of that quantity)
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What was the grading system used to report qualitative results?
- > 1 report, including at least 1 well designed RCT, yielded sufficient outcome details to support high efficacy of pheromone treatment: considered good evidence for recommending use of the treatment
- At least 1 well designed RCT revealed medium to high efficacy: fair evidence for recommending
- When well designed RCTs not available or when multiple studies yielded controversial evidence of treatment effect: insufficient evidence to recommend
- When >/= 1 well designed study or several less detailed studies revealed lack of efficacy: fair evidence against recommending
- When > 1 study, including at least 1 well designed RCT, revealed lack of efficacy: good evidence against recommending
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
** You will need to refer to notes on studies that were included in this review **
What were the types of studies in the synthetic FFP review?
- RCT involving placebo (22- IVC placement)
- 3 blinded placebo-controlled trials lacking clear randomization (19,21,23- 1 urine spraying, 1 case series within same report)
- 3 case series (17,18,20- all urine spraying)
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
In the 3 reports (Frank 1999, Hunthauseen 2000, Ogata 2001) on urine spraying that compared synthetic FFP treatment to pretreatment, the median number of urine marks decreased by what factor after FFP compared to pretreatment?
Median # of urine marks decreased 2.7-6 fold compared to pretreatment #s (17,18,20)
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
In the placebo controlled study from Mills 2001, the mean # of spraying incidents decreased by what factor in treated cats vs controls?
Mean # of spraying incidents decreased by 2.3 fold in FFP treated cats
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What was the range in complete or nearly complete remission in Frank 1999, Hunthausen 1000, Ogata 2001?
10-37%
Was not applicable in 22,23 and not reported in 19,21
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What was the range in partial clinical remission in the urine spraying studies?
36-74%
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
In Mills 2001 Vet Rec (placebo-controlled trial), the frequency of urine spraying by week 4 had decreased from the pretreatment frequency by what % in placebo cats and what percent in FFP cats?
58% placebo cats, 80% FFP cats
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What was the % range of treatment failure in Frank 1999, Hunthausen 2000, Mills 2001, Ogata 2001?
9-23%
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What were the adverse effects seen in Ogata 2001 J Vet Med Sci in cats receiving synthetic FFP?
4 cats (11% showed increased aggression or unfriendliness on FFP compared to prior to treatment
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
Was there a significant effect of FFP on FIC in Gunn-Moore 2004?
No
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What did Griffith 2000 JAVMA show regarding FFP effects on mean food intake in hospitalized cats compared with placebo?
No sig difference in first study
In second study, 24 hour food intake was sig greater (by factor of 2.9) in hospitalized cats exposed to cat carrier and FFP within hospital cage than cats exposed to pheromone alone without carrier in cage
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What was a major limitation of the Kronen 2006 Vet Anesth Analg study on the effects of FFP during IVC placement?
Acepromazine was given to about ½ the cats
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
** Refer to notes for list of DAP studies reviewed in this article **
What were the types of studies included in the review on DAP?
- 4 reports (16,27-29) were placebo-controlled studies that lacked clear treatment allocation concealment process, with 2 having inadequate random allocation generalization
- 3 were case series (24-26)
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
In the Sheppard 2003 Vet Rec study, partial clinical remission was seen in what % of dogs?
22/30 (73%)
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What was a major limitation of evaluating the efficacy of DAP in the study by Sheppard 2003 Vet Rec for noise (fireworks) phobia?
Anxiolytics or sedates were administered PRN to an unknown # of the dogs in the study
DAP was the only product used in Tod 2005 AABS, Levine 2007 AABS, Taylor 2007 AABS
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What was a major limitation in evaluating efficacy of DAP in Levine 2007 AABS, the study on DAP use for treatment of fireworks phobia?
Bmod (desensitization to noise stimuli) was used in combo with DAP, and no effort was made to separate the effects of each
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What did Mills 2006 AABS show regarding the effects of DAP on behavior in the waiting room and exam room?
DAP increased relaxation of dogs by factor of 3 and decreased anxiety by factor of 1.2 compared with placebo in the waiting room
DAP decreased anxiety duration by factor of 1.8 and increased visitation of room edges by factor of 1.2 in exam room
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What did Tod 2005 AABS show regarding DAP use during a walking test compared to a placebo?
DAP dogs had a sig reduction in barking by factor of 1.3 compared to placebo
No sig effects for neutral-stranger test
Treatment sig decreased barking by factor of 4 compared to pretreatment
But not clear what happened in control group
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What did Taylor 2007 AABS show were the effects of DAP on disturbed nights and housesoiling in recently adopted puppies?
DAP reduced disturbed nights (vocalization, scratching at door) by factor of 3 compared with placebo
Sleeping with another dog at night reduced nighttime disturbance
No sig effect of DAP on housesoiling
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What did Denenberg/Landsberg 2008 JAVMA show regarding the effect of DAP on fear and anxiety of puppies during training and socialization?
Excitability scores and degree of fear in DAP group were smaller by factor of 2 compared with control
Socialization scores higher by factor of 1.5 in DAP group 12 months after assessment
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
Of the studies reviewed in this article, only 1 (Kronen 2006 Vet Anesth Analg) was a RCT while 7 (16,19,21,23,27-29) were blinded, controlled studies lacking clear randomization. What do the authors conclude about the relevance of these latter studies?
They have minimal value to assess treatment effects
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What are some factors that can cause selection bias?
Inappropriate randomization, inclusion and exclusion criteria, nature of studies selected, language of studies
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
Animals being treated with meds in addition to the pheromone is a type of what bias?
Performance bias
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
Why might attrition bias arise?
Deviations from study protocols, loss to follow up (refusal to continue participating, loss of contact, development of adverse effects of medical issues that justify withdrawal)
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What factors affect external validity of a study?
Subject selection, nature and duration of treatments administered, assessed modalities of outcome
Ie, poorly defined or vague inclusion criteria, variable treatment durations, dosage variations between studies and within same study, other elements like environmental changes, additional drugs, bmod, reliance on subjective evaluation of owners
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
The chemical structures of FFP and DAP are unknown. What do the authors believe is the chemical responsible for the attractant and anxiolytic effects of synthetic FFP?
V officinalis extract
Actinidine: basis for attraction of some cats to valerian root
V officinalis extract and valerenic acid modulate GABA-A receptor (increases availability of GABA by inhibiting its uptake by as much as 50%, decreases its degradation, increases its release by induction of Ca2+ channels)
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
Why do the authors believe that the success rates for FFP on urine-spraying cats is overestimated?
Dropouts were not included
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What do the authors conclude regarding the evidence for the use of FFP in hospitalized cats in Griffith 2000 JAVMA?
Lack of support of efficacy of FFP, fair evidence against use for hospitalized cats
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What did the authors conclude about the efficacy of DAP for the treatment of fireworks phobia in Sheppard 2003 Vet Rec and Levine 2007 AABS?
Insufficient evidence that DAP is effective in this context
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What did the authors conclude about the efficacy of DAP for the treatment of stress and fear related behaviors in shelter dogs in Tod 2005 Appl Anim Beh?
Insufficient evidence
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What did the authors conclude about the efficacy of DAP for the treatment of housesoiling in Taylor 2007 AABS?
Evidence is against its use for this purpose
Frank/Beauchamp/Palestrini 2010. Systematic review of the use of pheromones for treatment of undesirable behavior in cats and dogs. JAVMA.
What did the authors conclude about the efficacy of DAP for the treatment of fear and socialization of puppies during training in Denenberg 2008 JAVMA?
Some evidence that DAP reduces fear or anxiety of puppies during training and results in better socialization
Gillham/Dodman 1994. The effect of diet on cribbing behavior and plasma B-endorphin in horses. AABS.
Endogenous opioids are linked to the development of what in several spp including horses, dogs, rats, swine and humans?
Stereotypic behaviors
Gillham/Dodman 1994. The effect of diet on cribbing behavior and plasma B-endorphin in horses. AABS.
Dodman 1987 found that cribbing horses fed sweetened grain rations showed and increase or decrease in stereotypic behaviors?
Increase
Gillham/Dodman 1994. The effect of diet on cribbing behavior and plasma B-endorphin in horses. AABS.
What effect has been shown to be produced including in animals that don’t exhibit stereotypies when fed highly palatable foods?
Naloxone-reversible analgesia (Roane/Martin 1990, Rushen 1990, Blass/Hoffmeyer 1991)
Gillham/Dodman 1994. The effect of diet on cribbing behavior and plasma B-endorphin in horses. AABS.
What were the different feeds given to the 11 horses in this study?
Alfalfa (high fiber), sweetened grain (sweet feed), pellet feed (high protein)
Gillham/Dodman 1994. The effect of diet on cribbing behavior and plasma B-endorphin in horses. AABS.
What was the effect of alfalfa feed on cribbing frequency?
Increased cribbing frequency after 10 min, but no sig diff from baseline over 30 min period
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
What side effects were seen with the nalmefene CRI treatment horses.
Doses of nalmefene as large as 0.4 mg/kg, IV, produced only minor side effects. These side effects included yawning, some passage of semifluid fecal material, intermittent penile relaxation, and mild sedation. Treated horses responded normally to external stimuli, retained their appetites, and performed appropriately when ridden. Sedation wore off during the course of prolonged infusions.
Gillham/Dodman 1994. The effect of diet on cribbing behavior and plasma B-endorphin in horses. AABS.
To what did the authors attribute the increase in cribbing rate following the two grain-based diets?
Palatability leading to release of endogenous opioids
Rising beta-endorphin levels activate DA pathways which enhance stereotypy
Gillham/Dodman 1994. The effect of diet on cribbing behavior and plasma B-endorphin in horses. AABS.
What was the difference between baseline beta-endorphin plasma levels in cribbers vs controls?
Levels in cribbers were half those of non-cribbers
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
What diseases may cribbing make a horse more predisposed to?
Incisor wear and colic due to aerophagia
Gillham/Dodman 1994. The effect of diet on cribbing behavior and plasma B-endorphin in horses. AABS.
What are some clinical implications of this study?
Decreasing amount of grain fed to cribbing horses may reduce rate of cribbing and other stereotypies
Equine self-mutilation syndrome has been reduced in some horses fed reduced grain (McClure 1992)
Diet based on high quality hay (alfalfa) rations may reduce cribbing by minimizing central opioid release
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
Cribbing is thought to cause to activation of which receptor in the CNS?
Narcotic and dopamine receptors
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
What was the pattern of cribbing in this study and how many times about did horses crib per minute?
Crib-biting frequency, determined in 7 nontreated horses under controlled conditions, was usually linear for many hours and ranged from 0.3 to 14.9 bites/min.
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
What were cribbing horses treated with? Was teh treatment effective?
Intravenous or IM injections of narcotic antagonists decreased these rates to almost zero by about 20 minutes after the injection was given.
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
Which narcotic antagonists were used and how long about did the effects of narcotic antagonist injections last?
Effective doses were 0.02 to 0.04 mg of naloxone/kg, 0.04 mg of naltrexone/kg, 0.08 mg of nalmefene/kg, and 0.02 to 0.03 mg of diprenorphine/kg. The duration of the response to a single injection ranged from 20 minutes for naloxone to 4 hours or more for nalmefene and diprenorphine.
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
This study also used CRIs of a narcotic antagonist to treat cribbing. Which drug was this and were the CRIs effective?
Crib-biting could be prevented completely for up to a week by continuous infusion of 5 to 10 mg of nalmefene/hr. Crib-biting resumed when the infusion was discontinued, and plasma nalmefene concentrations decreased to below 5 ng/ml.
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
What side effects were seen with the nalmefene CRI treatment horses.
Doses of nalmefene as large as 0.4 mg/kg, IV, produced only minor side effects. These side effects included some passage of semifluid fecal material, intermittent penile relaxation, and mild sedation. Treated horses responded normally to external stimuli, retained their appetites, and performed appropriately when ridden. Sedation wore off during the course of prolonged infusions.
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
Does this study suggest that we should use narcotic antagonists to treat stereotypic behavior disorders?
Yes, cribbing was almost eliminated with narcotic antagonists. Narcotic antagonists may provide a novel and effective treatment of stereotypic behavior disorders.
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
What percentage of referrals were for cribbing to one behavior clinic?
27%
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
List some factors have been associated with cribbing?
Boredom, frustration, stress, heredity, mimicry, diet
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
What diseases may cribbing make a horse more predisposed to?
Incisor wear and colic due to aerophagia
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
Why are opioid antagonists thought to be helpful for reducing stereotypies (proposed mechanism of action)?
Stereotypic behaviors are thought to be mediated by dopaminergic pathways in many species.
Stress is thought to cause overproduction of endogenous opioids which can change sensitivity of dopamine receptors in the CNS. This is how stress is thought to encourage stereotypy. We can counter these efects with opioid antagonists.
Stress, apomorphine and amphetamines may also enhance stereotypic behaviours directly through dopamine release.
Dodman et al. Am J Vet Res. 1987.
Why don’t we use dopamine blocking medications to treat stereotypy in horses?
Dopamine blocking agents like haloperidol also inhibit stereotypic patterns.
Dopamine blocking agents theoretically would work in horses but they are not used in ridden horses because the sedation makes them unsafe to ride.
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What % of male cats castrated before puberty become urine sprayers as adults or continue to spray? What % of female spayed cats become urine sprayers as adults? From which articles are these statistics from?
10% male cats become urine sprayers as adults when castrated before puberty
Hart/Cooper 1984. Factors relating to urine spraying and fighting in prepubertal gonadectomized cats. JAVMA.
10% male cats continue to spray when castrated as adults
5% female spayed cats become sprayers as adults
Hart 1973. Effects of castration on fighting, roaming and urine spraying in adult male cats. JAVMA.
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What % of cats responded favorably to long-acting progestin and from which study was this statistic from?
30% cats
Hart 1980. Objectionable urine spraying and urine marking in cats: evaluating of progestin treatment in gonadectomized males and females. JAVMA.
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What % of spraying cats responded favorably to diazepam, and what were the two studies providing these statistics?
75% of 23 cats
Marder 1991. Psychotropic drugs and behavior therapy. Vet Clin North Amer.
55% of 20 cats
Cooper/Hart 1992. Comparison of diazepam with progestin for effectiveness in suppression of urine spraying behavior in cats. JAVMA.
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What were the differences of effect on male vs female cats of diazepam vs progestin in the previously mentioned studies?
Diazepam just as effective in males and females
Progestin more effective in males
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What was the buspirone treatment protocol in this study?
47 MN cats (42 multicat, 5 single cat) + 15 FS cats (13 multicat, 2 single cat)
49 cats US, 13 cats UM
9 cats (4 male, 4 female from multicat + 1 female single cat) with IU
- Buspirone 2.5 mg PO q12h x 2 weeks
- If spraying favorably reduced (75-100%), continued at this dose for 8 weeks
- If spraying not significantly improved in 2 weeks, buspirone 5 mg PO q12h x 2 weeks
- If cats responded favorably, continued 8 weeks
- If cats still sprayed, d/c
- If cats stopped spraying on 5 mg but then resumed spraying, 7.5 mg PO q12h
- For cats who responded favorably during 8 weeks, buspirone gradually reduced over 2 weeks
- If spraying recurred, long-term treatment for 6-12 months before withdrawing
- If buspirone ineffective and cat hadn’t received diazepam or progestin previously, then those started
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What % of cats had favorable response (75-100%) on buspirone?
32/62 cats (55%)
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
How does this rate of response compare to diazepam?
About the same
55% response to diazepam in Cooper 1992
75% response to diazepam in Marder 1991
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
Of cats who responded favorably to buspirone, about how many did not resume spraying when buspirone was withdrawn after 8 weeks?
Of 32 cats who responded favorably to buspirone after 8 week treatment, 15 (47%) did not resume spraying
15 (47%) resumed spraying
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
How did this differ from diazepam?
Only 1/11 cats who responded favorably to diazepam did not resume spraying when diazepam was gradually reduced (Cooper 1992)
In other words, 91% of cats resumed spraying with diazepam d/c
Similar in Marder 1991
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What were some side effects seen on buspirone?
Increased aggression toward other household cats (17%)
More assertive behavior toward other cats in household from cats who were previously timid around other cats
Increase in affection toward owner (20%)
Excessive sleepiness (6%)
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What was the difference in response to buspirone between the cats from multicat households and the cats from single cat households?
58% of 55 cats from multicat households responded favorably
None of the 7 cats from single cat households responded favorably
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
How long did it take to know whether or not buspirone would be effective?
One week
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
How many cats with inappropriate elimination responded favorably to buspirone? What might this suggest?
56% (5/9)
Suggests that anxiety may play role in IU
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What is MOA of buspirone in the CNS?
Attenuates 5 hydroxytryptamine neural transmission by acting as agonist at presynaptic 5HT1A receptors
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What were the differences in effect between male and female cats for buspirone and diazepam versus progestin?
Both buspirone and diazepam effected male and female cats equally
Both drugs were more effective in females than progestins
Both were effective in cats who hadn’t responded to progestin
Hart/Dodman 1993. Effective of buspirone on urine spraying and inappropriate urination in cats. JAVMA.
What was dose recommendation of buspirone for spraying cats?
5 mg PO q12h
7.5 mg PO q12h would be reasonable for cats who don’t respond to 5 mg dose
Guy et al. Risk factors for dog bites to owners in a general veterinary caseload. 2001. What type of study was this?
Detailed telephone survey of dog owners from a cross-sectional population of veterinary clientele in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Interviews were successfully completed with 515 of 640 individuals selected from a study population of 3226 dogs by a formal random process. 227 biting and 126 non-biting dogs were included for analysis of risk factors. All dogs were at least 6 months of age. Play mouthing was excluded.
Guy et al. Risk factors for dog bites to owners in a general veterinary caseload. 2001. How did the mean weight and mean age differe between the biting and non-biting groups?
Both the mean weight and age of biting dogs were significantly lower than that of non-biting dogs.
Guy et al. Risk factors for dog bites to owners in a general veterinary caseload. 2001. What risk factors were associated with biting?
Significant risk factors for an outcome of biting were: the dog being female (particularly if small dog), the presence of one or more teenage children in the home, a history of a pruritic or malodorous skin disorder which had received veterinary treatment, aggression over food in the first 2 months of ownership, the dog having slept on someone’s bed in the first 2 months of ownership (only for little dogs), playing tug (only for bigger dogs - accidental bites are included) and the dog having been given a significantly higher ranking for excitability based on its behaviour in the first 2 months of ownership.
Guy et al. Risk factors for dog bites to owners in a general veterinary caseload. 2001.
Were small breed or large breed dogs more likely to be in the biting group?
Small dogs (<20 kg) were also determined to be at a higher risk of having bitten than large dogs when exposed to certain lifestyle and health factors, suggesting a relationship between body size and reactivity, or possibly greater owner tolerance of aggression in smaller dogs.
Guy et al. Risk factors for dog bites to owners in a general veterinary caseload. 2001. Biting dogs were more likely to have what three fears?
Biting dogs were more likely to have exhibited fear of children, men, and strangers.
Who authored, and what year/journal was published this paper: “Use of trazodone as an adjunctive agent in the treatment of canine anxiety disorders: 56 cases (1995-2007)
Margaret Gruen, Barbara Sherman, JAVMA, 2008
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: 1. What class of drug is trazodone?
- SARI- Atypical antidepressant, anti-obsessional, anxiolytic agent. Triazolopyridine derivative and member of the phenylperazine class of drugs
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: What is the MOA of trazodone (primary and secondary)? Include metabolites.
MOA:
Primary MOA- It antagonizes serotonin 2A receptors
Secondary MOA- inhibit serotonin reuptake
Active metabolite- m-CPP (m-chlorophenylpiperazine)
Trazodone and m-CPP also have agonist fx at serotonin 1 receptors
Trazodone may also increase serotonin concentrations by attenuating the inhibitory tone of GABA neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex (suggesting distinct MOA from SSRIs, TCAs, benzos)
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: Describe trazodone pharmacokinetics in humans as we know it.
It’s extensively metabolized with <1% excreted unchanged in the urine
m-CPP is generated through CYP3A4 metabolism, and broken down by CYP2D6 metabolism
m-CPP is active at serotonin 2C receptors
Absorption is faster on an empty stomach, 1 hours versus 2 hrs w/ food
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: What kind of seizure risk does trazodone pose per Pisani 2002?
A. Low
B. Moderate
C. High
A. Low seizure risk
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: Describe the objective of this study, and case design.
Objectives
To evaluate efficacy of trazodone hydrochloride as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety disorders (over 12 yrs of practice) as well as treatment protocol, dose range, concurrent drug use, adverse events, and therapeutic response in dogs unresponsive to other pharmacologic agents.
Study design: retrospective case series (1995-2007), dogs with anxiety disorders treated at a referral veterinary behavior clinic with primary or secondary diagnosis of anxiety or phobic disorder. Tx with trazodone, f/u of at least 1 month. (Sep anx, GAD, travel anxiety, storm phobia, noise phobia).
*They did not standardize other drugs or b mod programs.
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: How did they measure improvement in this study?
- Client’s subjective evaluation reported in the MR
- Continuing tx for 3 months
- Or both
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: What were the findings regarding side effects and how well trazodone was?
Trazodone was well tolerated over a wide dose range, alone and in combo w/ other behavioral drugs.
- No seizures or serotonin syndrome occurred.
- Vomiting n=1, gagging n=1, colitis n=1, increased excitement n=2, sedation n=2, increased appetite n=2, behavioral disinhibition n=2, get onto counters n=1, get in trash n=1 (in dogs who prev hadn’t done that)
- 80% of dogs did not have any reported
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: What was the range of trazodone prescribed in this study in total dosage per administration and mg/kg/day?
- Target dose range- 50 mg to 300 mg. Max daily dose was 600 mg.
- Range in mg/kg/d: 1.7-19.5 mg/kg/d (mean 7.25-7.6 mg/kg/d)
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: How many dogs were very improved, somewhat improved, or not improved?
- 5% were very improved from trazodone
- 5% somewhat improved from trazodone
- 5% reported no effect n=3
- 5% adverse event that lead to discontinuation n=3
Gruen, Sherman 2008 JAVMA: Which serotonin receptors do they suspect cause side effects of GI upset with trazodone usage?
Serotonin receptor subtypes 3 and 4 are in the GI tract and can be affected.
Hart. 1973. Effects of castration on fighting, roaming, and urine spraying in adult male cats. JAVMA.
What was the effect of neutering?
Owners reported a rapid post op decline of fighting, roaming and urine spraying in 53, 56 and 78% of cats respectively.
Owners reported a gradual post op decline of fighting, roaming and urine spraying in 35, 38 and 9% of cats respectively.
Improvement does not mean complete elimination - may still happen infrequently.
Hart. 1973. Effects of castration on fighting, roaming, and urine spraying in adult male cats. JAVMA.
All cats had been neutered during adulthood in this survey based study. Did age of castration affect post op decline of fighting, roaming, or urine spraying?
Age of castration was not related to decline of these behavior problems.
Hart. 1973. Effects of castration on fighting, roaming, and urine spraying in adult male cats. JAVMA.
What percentage of cats do the authors expect an improvement in fighting, roaming, and urine spraying to occur if they are neutered >1yo?
80-90% should improve, based on the results of their population
Hart. 1973. Effects of castration on fighting, roaming, and urine spraying in adult male cats. JAVMA. How is neutering for these problems different in dogs?
No evidence of improvement this dramatic for any of these issues in dogs, suggesting that these behaviors are more testosterone-dependent in cats.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
What was the objective of the study and the study design?
Objective: To investigate the behaviors expressed by puppies when exposed to 3 different contexts in a vet clinic environment.
Study design: Puppies between 8-16 weeks, adopted 1 week prior to evaluation. The tech would take the dog to the back immediately in an effort to standardize as much as possible. There were 3 parts to each assessment: free floor evaluation, PE on table, and manipulation of the puppy on the floor.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
The Scott and Fuller, 1965 paper cited in this study suggested that the puppy socialization period is when?
3-12 weeks of age. During this time, social contact and behavior modification is easier, which is critical for normal puppy development.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
The Seksel et.al study referenced in this paper suggested what with regard to a puppy’s response to novel and social stimuli?
Suggested that a puppy’s first response to novel and social stimuli appears to be an indicator of its subsequent response.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
What did the Free Floor (FF) evaluation consist of?
The pup was on the floor for 2 minutes, while the vet was in the room filming but not interacting with the dog.
The same room was used each time.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
What did the physical exam consist of (PET)? Was this part standardized?
The dog was examined on a stainless steel table.
The PE itself was standardized - included eye, mouth, and ear exams, palpación of the LN, chest, and abdomen. They also examined the paws, toes, and locomotor system. Finally, the HR and temp were recorded.
The duration varied pending on compliance.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
What did manipulation of the pup on the floor (MF) consist of? Was this standardized?
Occurred after the PET. The vet called the pup and asked it to sit. They were approached if the pup did not come voluntarily.
Manipulation - gentle exam of the pup’s ears, head, limbs, and toes. The dog was then restrained for 5 sec by the shoulders, then by the hips for another 5 sec. Finally, the leash was attached and the dog got a treat.
The duration of this section depended on compliance.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
What behavioral categories were considered?
For FF - 6 different behavioral categories: activity, exploration, facial expression, interaction with the vet, vocalization, and other behaviors.
For PET and MF: the nature of the interaction with the vet along with facial expressions and ear position.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
What were the results of the FF portion of this study?
Pups were active and oriented to the environment - high locomotion and exploration. Most pups were silent, didn’t pant, and interacted little with the vet.
Whining was the principal type of vocalization in those pups that were vocal.
Male pups were more gentle than females and the odds of them scratching was higher in males.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
What were the results of the PET portion of this study?
Most pups didn’t pant extensively, they usually kept their ears in a normal position, and showed passive behavior.
63 licked their lips
19 yawned 1+ times
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
What were the results for the MF portion of this study?
Wide range in each behavior during this section of the floor.
Compared to PET, they panted more and were less passive on the floor. Ears were usually normal, though there was more pronounced variation when compared to PET.
Fewer dogs licked their lips (14) and yawned (5) and the frequency of these behaviors was also lower when compared to the table.
Female pups were more passive than males and they held their ears back less than males.
Godbout, Palestrini et.al, 2007. Puppy Behavior in the veterinary clinic: A pilot study Journal of Veterinary Behavior
What were the differences in behaviors between the PET and MF parts of this study?
More puppies panted and were less passive during the MF portion of the study. However, those that panted and were less passive exhibited similar behaviors both in the PET portion and FF portion.
It is also important to note that the MF portion of this study was at the end, which could have led to a decrease in tolerance by this portion of this study.
Who, what year and in what journal was published: Efficacy of clomipramine in the treatment of canine compulsive disorder
Efficacy of clomipramine in the treatment of canine compulsive disorder
Hewson CJ, Luescher UA, Parent JM et al.
JAVMA
1998
Hewson CJ, Luescher UA, Parent JM, 1998:
What was the study design?
Controlled, non-randomized, double blind crossover study in dogs
-51 dogs with CCD
-Tx- clomipramine 3 mg/kg BID for 3 weeks; 2 wks wash in w/o tx; then placebo 4 weeks or in the opposite order
27 started with the drug first then placebo
-At end of each treatment owners rated severity of behavior with 2 validated rating scales
-Behaviors included spinning n=17, self mutilation via licking- ALD, n=12
Hewson CJ, Luescher UA, Parent JM, 1998: What was the objective of the study?
To determine if clomipramine was effective in treatment of canine compulsive disorders (CCD)
Hewson CJ, Luescher UA, Parent JM, 1998: What were the significant findings/results?
Dogs were 4 times (OR 4.36) more likely to be categorized by their O as better from clomipramine according to question 3, and 3.6 times more likely to be “better” on clomipramine per O according to question 15
Hewson CJ, Luescher UA, Parent JM, 1998: How many dogs experienced side effects with Clomicalm? What were the side effects experienced/
41% slept more
- 6 dogs had lethargy
- 20% had hyporexia
- 14% drank more on Clomicalm
- occasional vomiting 1 hour after administration (n=2)
- anorexia (n=1, resolved after withdrawal and lowering to 2 mg/kg)
- House soiling w/ urine, carpet licking (n=1)
- Lethargy, aggression to dogs, and ataxia n=1
- 3/45 discontinued it due to the side effects-
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
What was the study design?
Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded, parallel-arm clinical trial
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
How were dogs selected for inclusion to this study?
1/2001-9/2002
> 7 mo old, exhibiting compulsive behavior on daily basis for at least 2 months, no elective surgery planned during study period
Standardized PE including derm and neuro exams
BW + UA
All 3 DACVBs agreed on diagnosis of compulsive disorder based on video analysis and questionnaire completed by owners
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
What were the 6 clinical diagnosis categories identified?
Bull Terriers with spinning
German Shepherds with tail-chasing
Dobermans with flank-sucking
Mini Schnauzers with hind-end checking
Dogs of any breed with another oral CD (eg, acral lick dermatitis, licking of any body part without self injury, licking objects, licking in the air)
Dogs of any breed with another locomotory CD (eg, chasing shadows or lights, circling, spinning in dogs other than Bull Terriers, pacing, tail chasing in dogs other than GSDs, biting at air, fixation)
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
Dogs were randomly assigned to treatment group (fluoxetine) and placebo group. What was the dose of fluoxetine administered?
1-2 mg/kg PO q24h
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
When were the study periods and what did they entail?
Daily questionnaire on dogs’ behavior for 14 days prior to study to obtain baseline data
Then telephone call with investigator, asked about severity of CD (absent, mild, moderate, severe, very severe)
Telephone interviews 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks (42 days) after treatment
Daily diary completed for 42 days by owners
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
What were the outcomes of interest measured?
Change in owner-reported severity of CD
Change in frequency and duration of episodes of CD
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
How were these outcomes evaluated for statistical analysis?
For each of evaluation periods (14, 28, 42 days), change in severity was assigned score of 1 if severity less than severity reported during baseline and 0 if severity unchanged or worse
To determine change in frequency and duration, data from diaries summarized for each 14 day period (including baseline) as mean # of episodes per day and mean duration of longest episode per day
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
What were the proportions of dogs with each clinical diagnosis?
Of 62 dogs, 1 was Bull Terrier with spinning, 1 Doberman flank-sucking, 12 (19%) GSDs with tail chasing, 15 (24%) dogs of other breeds with oral CDs, 33 (53%) dogs of other breeds with locomotory CDs
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
After 14 days of treatment, how many dogs treated with fluoxetine vs placebo had decrease in owner-reported severity of CD?
15/31 (48%) fluoxetine vs 6/31 (19%) placebo
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
After 28 days of treatment, how many dogs treated with fluoxetine vs placebo had decrease in owner-reported severity of CD?
18/31 (58%) fluoxetine vs 8/30 (27%) placebo
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
After 42 days of treatment, how many dogs treated with fluoxetine vs placebo had decrease in owner-reported severity of CD?
19/27 (70%) fluoxetine vs 6/28 (21%) placebo
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
After 42 days of treatment, how many times more likely were dogs given fluoxetine to have decrease in severity of CD compared to baseline as dogs given placebo?
8.7 times
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
After 42 days, what was the difference in the mean # of compulsive episodes per day and the mean duration of the longest compulsive episode each day between the fluoxetine and placebo groups?
No significant difference between the two groups for the entire treatment period, as well as for each 2 week period
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
What were the most common adverse effects in the fluoxetine group?
For 31 dogs in fluoxetine group, 12 (39%) lethargy and 7 (23%) decreased appetite
Also: aggression (4, 12%), vomiting, excessive vocalization, excessive licking, anxiety (2, 6% each)
AEs were generally mild and self limiting
Lethargy and decreased appetite resolved in most dogs within 2 weeks, except 2 who were lethargic until end of study
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
In which prior study was fluoxetine shown to be effective for acral lick dermatitis
Wynchank, Berk. 1998. Fluoxetine treatment of acral lick dermatitis in dogs: a placebo-controlled randomized double blind trial. Depress Anxiety.
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
What conclusion can be made from this study about the use of fluoxetine for the treatment of CDs in combination with environmental management and bmod?
None. No environ management or bmod recommendations were made. Owners were encouraged to interact with their dogs the same way as always during the study.
Irimajiri/Luescher 2009. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of fluoxetine for treatment of compulsive disorders in dogs. JAVMA.
What were some limitations of this study?
Owners did not always observe their animals, may not have accurately counted episodes, did not complete all entries of diary on daily basis, had multiple family members doing the diary - may have affected the mean # or duration of CD episodes
Not enough dogs in study to evaluate effectiveness of fluoxetine on each clinical diagnosis
Due to 6 week duration, could not determine whether effect would have been more pronounced after longer treatment period. Time delay of therapeutic effects of SSRIs due to down regulation of expression of serotonin receptors in pre and postsynaptic membranes.
Houpt. 2002. Formation and dissolution of the mare-foal bond. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
In what situations did they record behaviors of the mares and foals?
The behavior of mares at foaling (up to 60 min after) and their behavior during subsequent weekly brief separations from their foals was quantified.
Houpt. 2002. Formation and dissolution of the mare-foal bond. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
What behavior did the mares show in the first 30 minutes after foaling?
Thirteen multiparous pony mares were observed for the first 30 min after foaling. Activities directed toward the foal and toward the fetal membranes were recorded. There were 16 +/- 8 contacts with the fetal membranes, most in the first 10 min post-partum. There were 81 +/- 12 activities (licking, touching and sniffing) directed toward the foal with licking being the most common. There was a downward trend in foal contacts over the first 30 min.
Houpt. 2002. Formation and dissolution of the mare-foal bond. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
What behaviors did the mare show in the 30-60 minute period after foaling?
Eight of the 13 mares were observed for the 30±60 min post-partum. All the same behaviors (licking, sniffing, touching) to the foal but less frequent and more interest in hay.
Houpt. 2002. Formation and dissolution of the mare-foal bond. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
When did most foals suckle for the first time?
Only one of the foals suckled in the first 30 min, but half had suckled by 60 min. Did not record beyond 60 min.
Houpt. 2002. Formation and dissolution of the mare-foal bond. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
During separation periods, how did mare and foal contact seeking behavior change over time?
Ten mares and foals were separated for 5 min each week for 9 weeks. Mare and foals’ contact seeking responses increased from weeks 1 to 2 and then decreased with foal age. This indicates that foal attachment to the mare is not complete until it is 2 weeks old. They should be minimally disturbed during this time.
When does Houpt believe based on this study was the most stressful time for weaning?
2 weeks. Why? After 2 weeks contact seeking behavior of both mare and foal starts to decline but they increase over the first 2 weeks.
Do mares consume placenta?
Only rarely, about 1% of mares. (Virga and Houpt, 2001).
King 2000. Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine/ results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial. AABS.
What were basic inclusion criteria?
To be suitable for trial, dogs have to show at least 1 of target signs (destruction, defecation, urination, excessive vocalization) while o absent and 3 additional behavior signs (following o around house, distress when o prepared to leave, excessive greeting when o returned) – some authors call the latter hyperattachment
King 2000. Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine/ results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial. AABS.
Efficacy of treatment assessed in 2 ways:
- For each of 4 signs of SA (destruction, defecation, urination, vocalization), frequency of cases rated as improved or disappeared was used to indicate treatment success. What were the differences between treatment groups?
More dogs rated as improved for destruction, defecation and urination at all 3 time points in standard clomipramine dose group (1-<2 mg/kg q12h) compared to placebo
But stat sig only reached at one or two of the 3 time points for each signs
King 2000. Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine/ results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial. AABS.
Efficacy of treatment assessed in 2 ways:
- Ratings of moderate improvement, much improvement or cured for o’s global assessment
What were the differences between groups?
More cases rated as moderately or markedly improved for global score in standard compared to placebo group at all 3 time points
Stat sig reached for 1 or 2 of the 3 time points
Low dose of clomi (0.5-<1 mg/kg q12h) had no stat sig effect
King 2000. Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine/ results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial. AABS.
What was the effect of clomipramine on vocalization compared to placebo?
Not stat sig
King 2000. Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine/ results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial. AABS.
What was the only clinical sign that reached stat sig for disappeared?
Destruction
King 2000. Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine/ results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial. AABS.
What effect did the standard clomipramine group have on the global score?
Produced more moderate or much improvement for global score
King 2000. Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine/ results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial. AABS.
What effect did clomipramine have on the rate of improvement?
Faster improvement for SA
Could not accurately determine the increase in speed of response, but estimated 3 x faster for destruction, defecation and urination
Between 1.5-3 x faster for vocalization
King 2000. Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine/ results from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial. AABS.
What was the author’s conclusion about low dose (0.5-< 1 mg/kg PO q12h) clomipramine?
Cannot be recommended for clinical use
Lindell. 1997. Intercat aggression. Applied Animal Behavior Science.
Are male or female cats more likely to be aggressors to other cats?
Male cats more likely to aggress, both equally likely to respond to treatment though
Lindell. 1997. Intercat aggression. Applied Animal Behavior Science.
Which medication was associated with failure to ever get the cats to live peacefully together?
Use of buspirone was associated with failure, most cats prescribed buspirone were aggressors
Lindell. 1997. Intercat aggression. Applied Animal Behavior Science.
Are cats more likely to aggress towrads the same or opposite sex?
Neither, no pattern in this study
Lindell. 1997. Intercat aggression. Applied Animal Behavior Science.
How was this study done and what was the aim?
48 cases of intercat aggresione examined retrospectively, no specific dianoses examined
Clients contact via phone
Aimed to determine if sex of cats plays a role and which treatment(s) was(were) most effective
Lindell. 1997. Intercat aggression. Applied Animal Behavior Science.
Was use of medications plus other treatments (R+, aggressor wearing bell, phsyicl separation, etc.) more effective than using medications alone?
No. Cat families who only used meds just as likely to be cured.
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What are the 4 categories for canine cognitive impairment?
- disorientation in home or yard
- Changes in social interactions with human family members
- Loss of house training
- Changes in the sleep-wake cycle
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What was the purpose of this study?
To determine whether the percentage of senior dogs that progressed from mild cognitive impairment to severe impairment over a period of 6 to 18 months was significantly different between sexually intact and neutered dogs
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What was the study design?
It was a longitudinal study.
Information on dogs 11-14 years old by use of a structured telephone interview format. A second interview was performed 12-18 months after the initial interview
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What were the criteria for inclusion?
Dogs with medical problems that may induce signs similar to cognitive impairment were eliminated.
Dogs that had been neutered within the past year were considered sexually intact.
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
Were there any sexually intact females in this study?
No.
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What criteria needed to be met for dogs to have impairment in orientation?
Two or more of the following:
- Staring into space
- Getting lost in the house/yard
- Getting stuck in corners
- Standing in at the wrong door or wrong side of the door
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What criteria needed to be met for dogs to have impairment in social interactions?
Two or more of the following:
- decrease in how frequently the dog would greet the owners
- decrease in how frequently the dog would solicit attention from its owners
- Definite increase or decrease in how frequently the dog would follow the owner around the house
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What criteria needed to be met for dogs to have impairment in house training?
If they urinated or defecated in the house without any apparent medical or other behavioral explanation, and there was decreased signaling to go out, decreased use of a doggy door, or some other change reflecting a decrease in learned house-training behavior.
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What criteria needed to be met for dogs to have impairment in sleep wake cycle?
Two or more of the following:
- waking up the owner at night by some activity such as pacing or vocalizing
- sleeping noticeably more during the day
- sleeping noticeably less at night
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What test was used to analyze the data? Is it a parametric or non-parametric test?
Fisher exact test. Nonparametric
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What did this study show with regard to cognitive impairment among intact vs. altered dogs?
For each of the 4 behavioral categories, the percentages of spayed, castrated, and sexually intact male dogs with impairment in that category at the time of the second interview were not significantly different.
The P value for house training was close to significant and was significant when castrated males and intact females were combined.
Hart et al. 2001. Effect of gonadectomy on subsequent development of age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. JAVMA.
What was the progression of cognitive impairment in the dogs within this study?
Between 27 and 41% of dogs that did not have any impairments at the time of the first interview had impairments in ≥ 1 category at the time of the second interview, and approximately 10% had impairments in ≥ 2 categories.
Analysis of the percent- ages of dogs progressing from impairments in 0 cate- gories at the time of the first interview to impairments in 1 category at the time of the second interview and of dogs progressing from impairments in 0 categories at the time of the first interview to impairments in ≥ 2 categories at the time of the second interview did not reveal any significant differences among groups
Mertens et al. 2006. The Effects of Clomipramine Hydrochloride in Cats With Psychogenic Alopecia: A Prospective Study. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. What was the basic study design?
A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of clomipramine hydrochloride in cats with psychogenic alopecia. Twenty-five cats were randomly assigned to receive clomipramine hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg orally q 24 hours) or placebo for 56 days. Eleven cats in each group completed the trial.
Mertens et al. 2006. The Effects of Clomipramine Hydrochloride in Cats With Psychogenic Alopecia: A Prospective Study. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. What therapeutic effect was seen?
None. The results of this study showed that clomipramine hydrochloride failed to demonstrate significant changes in the number of grooming bouts, hair regrowth, and the area of alopecia in cats with psychogenic alopecia when compared to a placebo. It was uncertain whether these results reflected a lack of drug efficacy, insufficient treatment duration, or an insufficient number of cases enrolled. >50% of the owners of cats that received clomipramine felt that their pets improved by at least 50%. In contrast, this level of improvement was noticed by <33% of owners of cats treated with the placebo. This was not statistically significant.
Mertens et al. 2006. The Effects of Clomipramine Hydrochloride in Cats With Psychogenic Alopecia: A Prospective Study. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. How much time do normal cats spend grooming?
4% of a cat’s 24-hour day (Eckstein 2000)
Mertens et al. 2006. The Effects of Clomipramine Hydrochloride in Cats With Psychogenic Alopecia: A Prospective Study. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. What neuroendocrine reward mechanisms are thought to lead to compulsive grooming?
Grooming activates serotonergic dorsal raphe nuclei, an area in the central nervous system that has been associated with compulsive disorders (Fornal et al. 1996)
Retrospective evaluation of crib‐biting and windsucking behaviours and owner‐perceived behavioural traits as risk factors for colic in horses
Name the first author, journal, date
Malamed, Equine Vet Journal, 2010
What was the study design for Malamed 2010?
-matched case-control retrospective study
-inclusion- horses with various surgical and medical colic diagnoses, admitted to a referral hospital over a 3 year period
-clients filled out a validated internet questionnaire
-Cases- tx for colic
-Control- Tx for lameness, ophthalmic disease, or wounds
574 (227 Cases, 347 Controls) surveys
What info was included in the survey for Malamed 2010?
- demographic information on horses and caretakers
- behaviours 24 h prior to most recent presentation to the VMTH
- repetitive behaviours and other problem behaviours in the horses’ lifetime
- behavioural traits and temperament
- questions were in direct reference to the most recent visit for which the horse presented to the VMTH
Malamed 2010: Logistic regression was used to control for confounding introduced by matching on time of case occurrence. Is this a parametric or non-parametric test?
The logistic regression model is parametric because it has a finite set of parameters. Specifically, the parameters are the regression coefficients. These usually correspond to one for each predictor plus a constant.
Malamed 2010: Why could this study not be used to replicate previous results (Archer et al. 2004)) that Epiploic foramen entrapment colic is more likely with horses with stereotypes?
Small n of n=4
Malamed 2010: Significant results?
- Horses that had a history of cribbing or windsucking were more likely to have had colic than those that did not crib (OR = 2.19, p = 0.032)
- but was unassociated with 1 category or severity of colic over another. - 42% (93/219) of horses with colic had experienced an environmental change in the week prior to the episode (OR = 3.93, P<0.001)
Malamed 2010: Why might this be a seminal study?
this was the first large scale case-control study to evaluate cribbing/windsucking and temperament as risk factors for different types of colic.
Malamed 2010: What was the prevalence of cribbing/windsucking in the control group?
- Prevalence in the colic group?
- What was the prevalence reported by Albright 2009?
6.8%
11%
4.4%
