Common behavioural presentations in general veterinary practice

Question 1

Give 3 examples of common behaviour presentations seen in general practice

Answer 1

• Firework fears
• Depositions of feline urine in the house
• Neutering requests

Question 2

What are the emotional motivations behind firework related fears?

Answer 2

• Fear-anxiety

- Frustration (can’t locate the source of the noise)

Question 3

What are the aims in prevention of firework related fears?

Answer 3

Create emotional stability and encouraging a positive cognitive bias

• Maximise emotional capacity (genetics, early life)
• Optimise emotional drainage
• Encourage positive emotional responses
• Decrease trigger salience

Question 4

What advice would you give to breeders in the prevention of firework related issues?

Answer 4

• Select appropriate breeding stock (genetic effect)
• Care appropriately for bitch during pregnancy (pre-natal effect)
• Adopt behaviourally aware rearing practices

Question 5

What advice would you give to caregivers in the prevention of firework related issues?

Answer 5

• Provide exposure to a complex range of social and environmental experiences whilst the puppy is in a positive emotional state including exposure to a range of noises
• Provide a secure emotional environment when they are exposed to these noises/triggers
• Ensure appropriate behavioural examples

Question 6

How can firework related fears be managed?

Answer 6

• Environmental modification: hideouts, reliable escape place
• Pheromone support: Adaptil calm
• Changes in human interaction: do not punish, ignore or reassure. Be passively present

Question 7

What are the short term medication aims in the management of firework related fears?

Answer 7

• Reduce emotional response to predicted fear inducing incidents
• Limit the cumulative effects of repeated exposure
• Prevent relapse or worsening of the fear during the treatment process due to exposure to an unavoidable event

Question 8

What is the role of benzodiazepines in managing firework related fears?

Answer 8

Amnesia, anxiolytic, sedative

• Block the memory of aversive events
• Limit the rate of generalisation

Question 9

Which drugs can be used in the medication approach to firework related fears?

Answer 9

• Benzodiazepines
• Micro dose of dexmedetomidine
• Trazodone
• Nutraceuticals

Question 10

What are 3 treatment approaches for firework related fears?

Answer 10

• Behavioural modification
• Pharmacological intervention
• Pheromone therapy

Question 11

What are the 2 behavioural modifications used to treat firework related fears?

Answer 11

Desensitisation

Counter conditioning

Question 12

Which drugs can be used in the treatment of firework related fears?

Answer 12

• Monoamine oxidase B inhibitors e.g. Selegiline

- Specific Serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 13

What are the emotional consequences of not having appropriate toileting facilities?

Answer 13

• Fear-anxiety: lack of privacy, social tension

- Frustration

Question 14

How can urine deposits in the house be treated?

Answer 14

• Optimise the environment

- Provide suitable litter facilities: location, substrate

Question 15

What are some reasons that a cat might mark in the home?

Answer 15

• Lack of secure core territory

- Threats to security from inside or outside the house

Question 16

What are some treatment approached to stop a cat marking in the house?

Answer 16

• Remove the scent signal entirely from the feline perspective
• Create a safe a secure core territory
• Optimise the environment

Question 17

What are the behavioural objectives of neutering?

Answer 17

• Control the genetic influence on canine emotional stability
• Reduce unwanted sexually related behaviours
• Modify the effects of hormones on: Social behaviours and Emotional state

Question 18

Give examples of behavioural problems which prompt caregivers to request neutering as a solution

Answer 18

• Mounting
• Boisterous behaviour
• Lack of recall

Question 19

When can neutering be an effective solution?

Answer 19

In relation to behaviours which are hormonally dependent and related to the lust system or the care system

Question 20

What is important to decide before making the decision to neuter?

Answer 20

The emotional motivation for the behaviour

Question 21

Other than hormonal influence why might lack of recall behaviours develop?

Answer 21

Poor training, related to desire- seeking for alternative stimuli such as food or social interaction with other dogs or related to anxiety issues

Question 22

Other than hormonal influence why might boisterous behaviours develop?

Answer 22

Expression of underlying anxiety - in these situations neutering can be detrimental

Question 23

What are some behavioural reasons for neutering in female dogs?

Answer 23

• Inner bitch confrontation within a household

- To prevent pheromone synchronisation

Question 24

Which effect leads to bitches coming into season at the same time?

Answer 24

The Whitten effect

Question 25

Which hormone is linked to frustrated care in a situation of false pregnancy?

Answer 25

Prolactin

Question 26

When is castration and neutering reccomened?

Answer 26

Males - just after puberty

Females - Before their first season

Question 27

What is the role of prolactin in the timing of neutering bitches?

Answer 27

• Need to neuter in anoestrus when hormone levels are low

- Neutering during a phase of elevated prolactin can risk retention of that elevated level following surgery