Fears, Phobias, and Anxiety

Question 1

Know common triggers for pathologic fear responses in dogs, cats, and horses

Question 2

describe fear

Answer 2

response that prompts individual to remove or protect itself from dangers or noxious stimuli and thus increase chances of survival

Question 3

describe fearfulness

Answer 3

inherent or acquired aspect of temperament that predisposes individual to respond to potentially alarming challenges

highly variable based on:
1 individual
2. species
3. age
4. environment

possible causes:
1. genetic factors
2. traumatic experiences
3. restricted socialization

inhibits all other behavior systems!!

Question 4

describe phobia

Answer 4

1. extreme or irrational fears
   -out of proportion to actual danger
   -cued by presence or anticipation of specific object or situation
2. stimulus causes fear, anxiety, avoidance

Question 5

Understand how to diagnose noise aversions and which treatment options are effective

Answer 5

treatment options:
1. counterconditioning: replace unpleasant emotional and behavioral responses to stimulus with more favorable adaptive responses
-decrease in undesirable response to stimulus through introduction of more desirable, often incompatible, response
-make sure your bridging stimulus and marking reinforces relaxed postures only!!
-if already uncomfortable, no way to tell you the stimulus is too much!

2. systematic desensitization: graduated exposure therapy
   -keep dog relaxed the whole time
   -start with least threatening stimulus and work up: light rain to heavy rain to soft thunder
   -practice when weather is nice
3. shaping: gradually require individual to engage in behavior that is more and more like final behavior before it is rewarded
4. environmental management:
   -provide safe place with white noise, no windows, maybe pheromones
   -pressure vests not really proven to work

Question 6

Understand how to use audio tools (recordings) in the treatment of noise aversions in patients

Answer 6

1. play noise to see if dog will react, if so, it can be used for desensitization
2. start playing audio at volume for which dog can sit and relax for food rewards
3. gradually increase volume, but only at rate for which dog can remain calm

Question 7

Review the medication options for treating phobias in dogs, cats, and horses for both maintenance and acute management

Answer 7

1. primary maintenance therapy: SSRIs OR TCAs OR azapirone or gabapentinoids
   -for when storm season, long lasting storms, to cover if can’t time even medicine appropriately (make it home from work in time)
2. acute or adjunctive therapy:
   -benzodiazapines: quick acting
   -dexmedetomidine: quick acting (alpha-2 agonist, don’t use with another alpha-2, will increase agitation and anxiety)
   -clonidine: longer acting (alpha-2 agonist, don’t overlap with another alpha-2 agonist)
   -trazodone: longer acting
   -gabapentin: longer acting
   -tranquilizers
   -melatonin: quick acting
   -nutriceuticals