Behavior Flashcards
What receptor do phenothiazines act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
Dopamine D2 antagonists
What receptors does reserpine act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
Blocks norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine
What receptor do dissociative anesthetics act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
Non-competitive antagonists at the NMDA receptor
What receptor do sedative/hypnotics act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
Alpha 2 agonists
What receptor do benzodiazepines act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
GABA agonists
What receptor does buspirone? act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
Stimulates serotonin receptors
What receptors do tricyclic antidepressants act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
Inhibits norepinephrine and serotonin
What receptor does trazodone act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
Serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitor
What receptor do naoloxone or naltrexone act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
Opioid antagonists
What receptor does L-deprenyl act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?
Monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor
What is the primary difference between tranquilizers and sedatives?
Tranquilizers: make an animal less responsive to its environment without causing drowsiness of loss of consciousness. Provides no analgesia
Sedatives: induce a sleepy state. Provides analgesia
What are the side-effects and relative contraindications to the use of acepromazine?
Side-effects: temporary drop in PCV, bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia
Contraindications: hypovolemic shock due to vasodilation
What are the side-effects and relative contraindications to the use of alpha2 agonists?
Side-effects: bradycardia, AV block, vomiting, hyperglycemia, diuresis
Contraindications: dogs with heart disease
What category of tranquilizer is azaperone (Stresnil®) and in what species is it primarily used?
Butyrophenones
Primarily used in swine, some extra-label wildlife use
Identify the relative species sensitivity to xylazine for the cow, pig, and horse
Cows are extrememly sensitive to xylazine. Dose is 1/10 that of horses
Xylazine has little effect on pigs
Most sensitive is cow, middle sensitive is horse, and least sensitive is pig
Name two dissociative drugs used in veterinary medicine
Ketamine and Telazol
Why is it necessary to add an additional tranquilizer or sedative when using Telazol® in dogs but not in cats?
To help smooth recovery because tiletamine will outlast zolazepam
Penile paralysis is a rare but serious side-effect of phenothiazine tranquilizers in what specie(s)?
Horses
Explain why epinephrine should not be used in an animal tranquilized with acepromazine.
Epinephrine reversal (drop in BP) can occur in excitable animals Epinephrine is an alpha1 agonist while acepromazine is an alpha1 antagonist. So if we give ace and the animal is super excited (sympathetic nervous system releases Epi), ace won’t work
Name two tranquilizers given in horses that have prolonged effects after a single dosing
Fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin) and Reserpine (Serpalan)
What drug is approved as an oromucosal gel to manage noise phobias?
Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)
Name the drugs that can be used in dogs “on demand” to manage anxiety. Name two other drugs that require accumulation over several days to weeks before an antianxiety effect is seen.
On demand: trazadone, benzodiazepines
Has to accumulate: buspirone (Buspar), SSRI’s (Fluoxetine)
Name the drugs that should be used cautiously when using any behavior modifier that acts to enhance central serotonin concentrations
Tramadol (increases serotonin); Amitraz, linezolid, furazolidone, selegiline (MAOIs)
For what indication in cats is buspirone sometimes used?
Treating inappropriate elimination in cats
What is serotonin syndrome? Why is it considered a cumulative risk?
Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much serotonin in circulation. It usually occurs in an overdose of certain medications (SSRI’s or tricyclic antidepressants) or if these get combined. It is a cumulative risk because the more you use, the hard it is for the body to degrade the excess serotonin produced.
Dogs will seem agitated, disoriented, hyperactive, vocalize, tachycardia, panting, vomiting and diarrhea
Discuss the pros and cons of using benzodiazepines for behavior problems in dogs and cats.
Pros: it works on demand so its useful in sporadic anxiety (thunderstorms, fireworks)
Cons: may cause hepatotoxicity in cats, Class 4 drug (humans abuse it), and it does NOT improve behaviors where anxiety is suppressing aggressive tendencies (fear biting, certain types of dominance aggression).
What type B adverse reaction has been reported with diazepam use in cats and how does the frequency of administration affect this risk?
Idiopathic hepatic necrosis in cats if used long term in cats
What role do benzodiazepine play in the management of aggression problems?
It does NOT improve behaviors where anxiety is suppressing aggressive tendencies (fear biting, certain types of dominance aggression)
Why have many behaviorists recommended against benzodiazepines in animals undergoing behavioral training therapies?
It is thought that benzos have an amnesic effect and interfere with learning
Contrast the terms “addiction” and “physical dependency”. What risks do the benzodiazepine have in this regard?
Physical dependency: when the body cannot produce enough of the substance endogenously to prevent a withdrawal. So, you need an outside source to keep from going through withdrawals. However, with a slow taper, you can come off physical dependency.
We call animals physically dependent because they can’t tell us they need their fix.
Addiction: this is uncontrollable cravings, inability to control drug use and compulsive drug use. The cravings are due to an altered brain biology.
It’s pretty much impossible to say if an animal is addicted to a medication.
Benzodiazepines are class 4 controlled drugs and are abused by humans who may become physically dependent or even addicted to them. So, we do not use them chronically often in our patients.
What role do progestins play in the management of behavior problems?
Appear to have a calming effect on some animals
Abnormalities of which neurotransmitter has been suggested to underlie OCD disorders like acral lick granulomas?
Serotonin
Name the drugs used to manage OCD behavior (e.g., acral lick granuloma).
Clomipramine (TCA)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (Fluoxetine)
What drugs, other than tranquilizers or sedatives, can be used in the management of aggression?
Progestins (megesterol acetate)
Clompipramine (TCA)
SSRI (Fluoxetine)
Anticonvulsants (Carbamazepine, gabapentin)
What evidence supports the use of TCAs in the management of aggression?
Has been reported to be of some benefit in selected cases of dominance aggression. One study however reported negative results
What evidence supports the use of fluoxetine in the management of aggression?
Has been reported empirically to be beneficial in treatment of dominance aggression. One study supported that premise
What evidence supports the use of carbamazepine in the management of aggression?
Reported to be used in 2 cases with aggression towards owners
What evidence supports the use of gabapentine in the management of aggression?
Empiric evidence suggests that it may decrease aggression in cats when used in anticipation of clinic visit
What liability does the veterinarian assume in treating aggression problems in animals?
You can be held liable for treating a dog for aggression and it bites a human
What drug is approved in dogs to treat cognitive dysfunction?
L-deprenyl = selegiline (Anipryl)
True or False: L-theanine, alpha-casozepine, Magnolia / Phellodendron herbs, tryptophan, pheromones, and melatonin are all nutraceuticals
True
True or False: there is strong evidence supporting that nutraceutical agents have a calming effect
False, there is weak evidence supporting that claim
