Animal Behaviour (1-6) Flashcards
this is a behaviour that is problematic for an owner/carer;
* can be a normal but unwanted/undesireable behaviour
* problem arising as a result of genetics, early environment, learning history, etc
* underlying pathological process
problem behaviour
name 5 common behaviour problems in dogs
- aggression towards people/other dogs
- noise sensitivities
- separation-related problems
- repetitive behaviours/compulsive disorders
- old age-related problems
name 4 common behaviour problems in cats
- aggression towards people/other cats
- overgrooming
- house soiling problems
- old age related problems
name 4 predisposing factors making temperament problems more likely
- genetics
- early environment (incl. socialisation)
- breed specific behaviours
- species ethology
name 3 ways to prevent problem behaviours developing in dogs/cats
- breed from animals with good temperaments
- provide appropriate rearing environments and early experiences
- appropriate habituation and socialisation
how long will a typical behaviour consultation, plus follow-up over a 3 month period take?
8-12 h
what 3 things should you aim to achieve in a 15 minute behaviour consult in general practice
- rule out obvious medical problems/concerns
- first aid behaviour advice
- referral for further assessment
name the legal act for animal behaviour responsibility
civil liability, duty of care to prevent harm to other people by the animal
animals act 1971
name the legal act for animal behaviour responsibility
where a dog is under your care and inures someone or puts someone in fear of being injured, an offence may have been committed
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
name the legal act for animal behaviour responsibility
it is an offence for any dog owner to allow their dog to be out of control in such a way as to cause alarm or make another person apprehensive
The control of dogs act 2010
(Scotland)
what does the ABC of establishing what has occurred in a behavioural incident stance for?
Antecedent
Behaviour
Consequence
name 2 instances where euthanasia will be considered as a “treatment” to behavioural issues
- continued risk to welfare of patient
- safety cannot be ensured
name the term
this is the inability to cope with allostatic load;
can manifest as behaviour problems and can lead to medical problems if chronic
distress
what system is responsible for the processing of stressful events in the brain
limbic system
name the part of the limbic system
rational moderation of response;
can be disrupted by stress
pre-frontal cortex
name the part of the limbic system
regulates emotions and triggers fight or flight response via hypothalamus
amygdala
name the part of the limbic system
involved in fear conditioning and memory
hippocampus
adaptive, quick intense arousal in response to threat;
emotional and physiological response;
incr. HR, incr. RR, mydriasis, etc
fear
name the 4 responses to fear
- fight (repulsion)
- flight (avoidance)
- freeze (inhibition)
- fiddle (displacement/appeasement)
state of anticipation of threat;
physiological/stress response more insidious;
can be detrimental to health;
decr. QOL, decr. owner bond
anxiety
name the 3 types of non-associative learning
(learning theory)
- habituation
- desensitisation
- sensitisation
name the 2 types of associative learning
(learning theory)
- classical conditioning
- operant conditioning
name the 5 treatment categories of the 5 M’s approach to behavioural treatment
- Medical investigation
- Management
- Behaviour Modification
- Medication
- Monitoring
name the behaviour modification method
this is a commonly used behavioural modification technique for the alleviation of behavioural problems in animals caused by inappropriate arousal;
animal is exposed in a controlled situation to low levels of the arousing stimulus according to an increasing gradient
Systematic Desensitisation
name the behaviour modification method
respondent behaviour to a stimulus is replaced with an opposite automatic response;
can be the cause of problems and solution
classical (respondent) counterconditioning
name the behaviour modification method
train an alternate, incompatible behaviour (i.e. one which is counter to the one you wish to eliminate)
operant (instrumental) counterconditioning
name the 5 licensed medications available for treating canine behaviour problems in the UK
- Cloimpramine (Clomicalm)
- Selegiline (Selgian)
- Fluoxetine (Reconcile)
- Imepotoin (Pexion)
- Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)
name the UK licensed drug for treating canine behaviour problems
oromucosal gel licensed for the ‘alleviation of acute anxiety and fear associated with noise in the dog’;
admin ahead of predicted noise exposure OR as soon as signs of fear are shown;
onset of action: 30 min
Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)
what is the reversal agent for alpha-2-adrenoreceptor agonists
atipamezole
what type of drug is Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)?
at lower doses: anxiolysis/reduction in arousal;
at higher doses: sedation, potential analgesia
alpha-2-adrenoreceptor agonists
name the UK licensed drug for treating canine behaviour problems
licensed for many years for treatment of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs;
“for reducing fear/anxiety associated with noise in dogs” give twice a day starting 2 days before noise event;
can also be used in medium to long term treatment for social and non-social fears/anxieties
Imepitoin (Pexion)
what type of drug is Imepitoin (Pexion)?
binding site on inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to increase it;
can act as anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants;
partial agonist
benzodiazepine
name 2 potential side effects of benzodiazepines
- increased appetite
- paradoxical excitement
name the drug for treating canine behaviour problems
new alpha-2A adrenoreceptor agonist similar to Sileo (dexmedetomidine);
licensed for short-term alleviation of situational anxiety and fear in dogs triggered by noise or owner departure;
admin 60 min before needed;
oral solution;
effect may last 3h+
Tasipimidine (Tessie)
name the UK licensed drug for treating canine behaviour problems
licensed for treatment of separation anxiety in the dog;
classified as a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA);
increases serotonin (primarily) and noradrenaline;
onset of action typically 3-4 weeks;
potential side effects (GI, urinary retention, ileus, etc)
Clomipramine (Clomicalm)
name the UK licensed drug for treating canine behaviour problems
monoamine oxidase inhibitor, enhances catecholamine transmission;
increases dopamine, noradrenaline (to a lesser extent serotonin, adrenaline);
licensed in dogs for treatment of behavioural problems of ‘emotional origin’ & canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome
Selegiline (Selgian)
name the UK licensed drug for treating canine behaviour problems
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor;
licensed for treatment of separation anxiety in dogs;
onset of action 4-6 weeks
Fluoxetine (Reconcile)
name the type of drug
increase the availability of serotonin by blocking reuptake;
will generally increase noradrenaline to a lesser extent than clomipramine (and selegiline) so very useful
selective seretonin reuptake inhibitor
name the UK licensed drug for treating cat behaviour problems
gabapentinoid that inhibits cellular calcium channels;
licensed for alleviation of acute anxiety and fear associated with transportation and veterinary visits;
admin 90min before scheduled event
Pregabalin (Bonqat)
series of enzymes which are involved in metabolism of medications;
inducers increase enzyme activity and reduce amount/duration of action of medication
cytochrome P-450 system
this is a range of signs which can be caused by elevated seretonin;
can occur with overdose of one serotonergic agent or a combination of serotonergic agents
seretonin syndrome
how long of a washout period is recommended when switching from an SSRI (fluoxetine) to MAO-I to avoid serotonin syndrome
5-6 weeks
how long of a washout period is recommended when switching from an MAO-I to SSRI or TCA to avoid serotonin syndrome
2 weeks
how long of a washout period is recommended when switching from TCA to MAO-I to avoid serotonin syndrome
2-3 weeks
chemical signals which are normally used in intraspecific communication, which are typically detected through the VNO and which appear to have an intrinsic effect on the emotional processing of the reciever
pheromones
name the feline facial pheromone
involved in sexual displays
F2
name the feline facial pheromone
deposited during facial rubbing of territory;
organisation and classification of environment;
spatial orientation;
emotional stabilisation;
antagonistic for scratching and urine marking
F3
name the feline facial pheromone
for allomarking
F4
name the synthetic feline facial pheromone
increases perception that the environme nt is ‘safe’;
antagonistic to urine marking and scratching;
must use in conjunction with environmental modification;
one diffuser per house level
synthetic F3
(Feliway Classic)
name the synthetic feline pheromone product
synthetic cat appeasing pheromone;
diffuser only;
marketed to reduce tension in a multi-cat household;
useful when social relationships have broken down;
personal safety rather than environmental;
no significant effecr on aggressive and affiliative interactions between cats
Feliway Friends
name the synthetic feline pheromone product
synthetic pheromone complex;
diffuser only;
marketed to increase both personal/social environmental security;
enhanced binding to vomeronasal receptors;
shown to reduce intensity of scratching, spraying, fear-related behaviour and inter-cat conflict by approx. 70%
Feliway Optimum
this is the amino acid precursor of serotonin (5-HT);
can cross the BBB
L-Tryptophan
name 3 ways to increase the availability of L-Tryptophan
- feeding a low protein diet
- Tryptophan supplementation
- adding carbohydrate
name the nutraceutical
active ingredient: alpha-casozepine;
produced naturally in infants via enzymatic digestion of milk;
affinity for GABA receptors;
no documented adverse effects
milk caseins
name the nutraceutical
alpha casozepine, L-tryptophan, tyrosine, and anti-oxidants;
marketed for dogs and cats in socially or environmentally stressful situations
CALM diet (Royal Canin)
what is the most common medical problem causing behavioural problems
musculoskeletal pain
name 3 reasons to start an analgesia trial;
pain is suspected by clinician but…
- no apparent lesion on diagnostic imaging
- clinical exam of patient challenging
- client funds don’t allow diagnostic imaging
name 5 signs of distress in cats
- incr. hiding/sleeping
- agoraphobia
- decr. interaction
- decr. play
- change in appetite
what is the most common presenting sign of overgrooming in cats
ventral alopecia
name the inappropriate feline behaviour
normal scent marking behaviour;
sexual or reactional;
tail erect/quivering;
short bursts of urine;
usually low volume and at height;
lack of digging behaviour;
still use litter tray
spraying
name the 8 common old age related problems in cats
- incr. Vasodilation
- altered Interaction w family
- Sleep wake cycle alterations
- House soiling
- Disorientation
- Alterations in activity
- Anxiety
- Learning/memory deficits
(VISHDAAL)
what are the 2 licensed medications for noise fears in dogs?
- Sileo
- Pexion
name 3 types of typical signs that make an owner seek help for separation-related behavioural problems
- destructiveness
- vocalisation
- elimination
name the 2 long term medications licensed for separation anxiety in dogs
- Fluoxetine (Reconcile)
- Clomipramine (Clomicalm)
name the type of abnormal repetitive behaviour
innate and invariant behaviour that is expressed in a repetitive and exaggerated manner whithout an apparent goal
e.g. spinning
sterotypic behaviour
name the type of abnormal repetitive behaviour
repetitive behaviour, excessive, which appears to have a goal
e.g. tail chasing
compulsive behaviour
name the canine behaviour problem
neurodegenerative disorder of senior dogs and cats that is characterised by increasing brain pathology and gradual cognitive decline
cognitive dysfunction syndrome
name the 5 signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome
Disorientation
social Interactions
Sleep/wake cycle
House soiling
Activity (may increase or decrease)
(DISHA)
