Lecture 10 Flashcards
Introduction to Small Animal Clinical Behaviour
Why is behaviour important?
5pt
- It is Why the client brings the animal to you
- Many behavioural problems can be indications of underlying physical disease
- More pets die of behavioural problems than infectious diseases
- Undesired behaviour #1 cause of death in dogs <2 years (median age 1.45 y)
- Dogs relinquished within 1 year of acquisition
- 22-82% of behavioural problems have a pain component
What is the big deal of fear, anxiety and stress?
5pt
- 78.5% of clinically healthy dogs fearful on the exam table - Less than half entered practice calmly - 13.3% were dragged
- Cat owners report that their cats acted remote and unfriendly for days after a vet visit
- Many veterinarians believe it is “normal” for pets to be afraid in the hospital environment
- Many veterinarians have learned or been taught forceful techniques
- Almost 80% of pets display fear and stress-related behaviour - When fear, anxiety and stress are not recognized –> undesirable / dangerous behaviour
What is the occupational health and saftey issues for clinic personnel?
4pt
- Veterinarians 9.2 x more likely to experience severe injury compared to medical profession
- WCVM has the highest injury rate at U of S
- Increases stress of the Animal, Ownerand Veterinary staff
- Impacts owner’s willingness to seek veterinary consultation
- 22% dog owners
- 28% cat owners
- Delays veterinary care for sick and injured pets
- Loss of practice income
What happens in veterinary clinics?
4pt
- Physiological changes : Increased HR, RR, BP, Temp, Cortisol - Adds to fear / anxiety
- Can inhibit accurate diagnosis - Affects results (e.g., bloodwork)
- Increased anesthetic / sedation risk
- Decreased eating / drinking - Delayed recovery
What is distress in veterinary clinics?
1pt
Failure to adjust to environmental conditions represent a welfare concern
What is fear?
3pt
*Increases survival
*Response to what is happening
*Pain and anxiety/fear share behavioural responses
What are the fear responses ?
4pt
- Increasing distancing behaviour
- Freeze - Learned helplessness
- Flight
- Fight
What is learned Helplessness?
3pt
- Inescapable stressor exposure
- Reduced capacity to escape the same stressor in circumstances where escape is possible
- Associated with increased cortisol and decreased negative HPA axis feedback
What is Flooding?
4pt
- “Exposure to a maximum-intensity anxiety-producing situation or stimulus, without any attempt made to lessen or avoid anxiety or fear during the exposure”
Can produce
* SENSITIZATION
* Learned helplessness
* PESSIMISM
What is anxiety?
5pt
*Important for survival
*Lack of control or inability to predict - I don’t know what will happen, What are you doing, It might hurt
*Hypervigilance
*Follow their owners
*Hyposomnia
OUTCOME = PESSIMISM
What does “kissing” mean?
4pt
*Attention seeking - You taste good
*I’m worried — I need more information
*Conflict — I like you but I odnt like what you are doing
*Reconciliation - after biting
Where does fear, anxiety and stress start?
4pt
- Routine veterinary care contributes to patient anxiety starting with the 1st puppy/kitten examination - 8-12 weeks, Cortices still developing, Fearfulness early in life will carry over to adult animals Neurochemical changes detrimental to learning
- Sensitization - Fear increases with each veterinary visit
- Extreme fear produced by frightening veterinary visits- Can produce phobic responses in future visits, One event learning, Single exposure can be enough to produce future fearful responses
- Fear is the number one behavioural problem
How should we deal with fear, anxiety and stress in our patients?
3pt
Fear free training
* Go slow and introduce youself
* give treats
* do a distance exam
