Lecture 8: Separation Anxiety (Curtis) Flashcards
separation anxiety manifests as what behaviors?
- vocalization
- destruction
- elimination
- excess salivation
- escape attempts
- “depression”
what is canine separation anxiety?
the distress and problem behaviors dogs engage in relating to absence or perceived absence of family members
what is virtual separation anxiety?
pet perceives owner as being gone (i.e. when they are in shower, out in the yard, etc.)
In what time period does SA usually occur in dogs?
w/n 5-30 min. after departure
describe behavior on return in dogs with SA
increased excitement upon return and lasts a long time
common triggers for on-set of SA
- since puppy hood
- changes in household
- post-boarding
- post-vacation
powerful diagnostic tool of SA
video! Helps owner “see the panic”
common owner misconception for SA
owner thinks pet has SA and destructive behavior out of spite, anger,etc.
T/F: dog associates punishment for destruction upon owner’s return with act of creating mess
FALSE. Rather, dog associates the punishment with the combined presence of the angry owner and the material on the floor. Dog then acts to APPEASE the owner
definition of SA
a distress response specificlly related to being separated from social group members. Dog is panicked!
improper punishment may result in what behavior:
fear, defensive aggression
DDX of SA based on presence of:
+/- evidence of strong attachment
- behavior in o’s absence, shortly after departure
- distress behaviors
- excessive excitement upon o return
DDX of destruction
-can have element of play/exploratory behavior, territorial display, or during phobic episodes
DDX of vocalization
can result from: outside stimuli, social facilitation, territorial display, or play
possible causes of improper elimination in dogs
- incomplete house training
- medical/endocrine
- excitement or submissive urination
- urine marking
- cognitive dysfunction
goal of treatment for SA
teach pet to be calm and relaxed during owner’s absence
Methods of tx for SA
1) changes in pet-owner interactions (facilitate independence, calmness. Ignore attention-seeking)
2) changes in leaving/returning protocols (greet only when calm)
3) change the meaning of pre-departure cues
4) graduated planned departures
5) environmental changes and management
6) pharm. intervention
habituation vs. extinction
habituation is loss of an INNATE response, while extinction is loss of a LEARNED response
methods of changing the meaning of pre-departure cues
- habituation
- extinction (o DOESN’T leave after giving pre-departure tools)
- desensitization (used in cases when o can’t even get out the door)
- counter-conditioning (give treat as o prepares to leave; however danger that treat becomes pre-departure cue)
graduated planned departures are like REAL departures w/ 2 exceptions:
1) initially absences are very short
2) o leaves a new “safety cue” as they leave
safety cue plays on which senses?
auditory, visual, olfactory
methods of environmental changes and management of SA
- increase play/exercise
- put dog in day care
- conditioning to crate
- mix up departure cues
- mask departure w/ noise
- anxiety wrap
disadvantage of crates
may result in injury to the dog
“maintenance medications” are used to:
decrease overall level of anxiety. Different than short-acting medications for departures, which primarily address “panic”
2 FDA approved medications for SA and dosages **
1) Clomicalm: 2-4mg/kg/day (available in 20,40,80mg tabs)
2) Reconcile 1-2mg/kg/day (available in 8,16,32,64mg tabs)
reconcile will soon not be manufactured anymore
1 symptom of SA in cats
inappropriate urination
treatment for SA in cats
alprazolam (used during, and 3 days pre and post departure)
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for SA in dogs
fluoxetine (prozac)
paroxetine (paxil)
sertraline (zoloft)
all used off-label
3 benzodiazepines used for SA in dogs
alprazolam (xanax)
clonazepam (klonopin)
diazepam (valium)
off-label use, informed consent required
Disadvantages of benzodiazepines
1) paradoxical excitement: a possible side-effect of benzodiazepines, in which the drug causes INCREASED excitement
2) tolerance
3) controlled substance
T/F: you should never use acepromazine alone for SA
T. Use with alprazolam
adaptil
a dog appeasing pheromone for SA/fear/stress that “mimics the properties of the natural pheromones of the lactating female”. Comes in diffuser, spray, and collar.
Results after 28 days:
85% decrease in destructive behavior
72% decrease in excessive vocalization
66% decrease in house soiling
other treatment options for SA
- thundershirt
- anxiety wrap
- another dog?
