Exam 1 - Repetitive Behaviors Flashcards
what are stereotypic behaviors?
repetitive behaviors that are not functional, often are rhythmic
pattern becomes more rigid over time & can be easily triggered by stress/anticipation even if not exhibited for a long time
movements will increase as stress increases
T/F: in an animal displaying stereotypic behavior, an increase in stress will increase their movements
true
what is the cause of stereotypies?
unknown - physiologically & neurologically complex
may be that individuals have high baseline cortisol levels (cortisol levels return to normal during/after cribbing in horses) which suggests that the behavior reduces stress perception
or that individuals have low b-endorphin levels
stereotypies usually start in _______ animals - why is this?
young animals!!!
older animals are thought to have been sensitized by significant stress when they were young
what are some examples of things that affect the stereotypic pattern seen in animals?
species-specific behavior
breed-specific behavior
personality type
environment
what are some examples of how breed-specific behaviors affect stereotypic patterns?
the pattern is often based on natural behaviors
oral behaviors like licking/cribbing
locomotor behaviors like circling, pawing, & tail chasing
what are some examples of how personality type behaviors affect stereotypic patterns?
high prey drive & easily stressed animals
jack russels digging & weimeraners being neurotic
what are some examples of how environment behaviors affect stereotypic patterns?
sawdust particles in sunshine - dog switched to overhead lights & chases particles
dog confined to a kennel - dog starts pacing the fence
owner behavior (giving attention) can reinforce the undesired behavior!!!
what medical problems has a circling locomotor pattern of stereotypic behavior been associated with?
gi issues, immune-mediated/inflammatory disorders, & allergies especially in GSD
what are some examples of locomotor patterns displayed as stereotypic behaviors?
circling, spinning, tail chasing, digging, weaving, & cage walking/pacing
what are some factors that potentiate the behavior of the tail chasing locomotor pattern?
hydrocephalus, genetic predisposition, & coping mechanism for stress
what are you concerned about for a dog displaying tail chasing but they don’t catch it & just go after it?
CNS/PNS problem - some dogs may catch & injure their tail
what are some examples of oral patterns displayed as stereotypic behaviors?
licking the floor/wall, excessive grooming, nose rubbing, pica, & flank sucking
what are some breed specific examples of locomotor patterns in stereotypic behaviors in dogs?
australian cattle dog - tail chasing
border collies - staring/chasing light or shadows
why do we see spinning & tail chasing as a locomotor pattern in german shepherds with behavioral stereotypies?
tail chasing is related to the neural cadherin gene
best performers tend to be the worst tail chasers
respond poorly to SSRIs - better to use anticonvulsants
T/F: GSD with tail chasing/spinning respond better to anticonvulsants than SSRIs
true
what oral patterns are seen in doberman pinschers with behavioral stereotypies? how common is it? why?
flank sucking & blanket sucking
30% incidence - 70% of some litters are affected
relates to neural cadherin gene - same as GSD
T/F: the cause of flank sucking in dobermans & tail chasing in GSD is related to the same neural cadherin gene
true
what stereotypies are seen in german short-haired pointers & great danes?
self-mutilation & fence running
what stereotypies are seen in mini schnauzers?
freezing, checking rear end
what stereotypies are seen in cavies?
chasing light or shadows
what stereotypies are seen in large breed dogs?
acral lick granulomas
what are some stereotypic patterns seen in cats?
excessive licking & circling