Lecture 8: Separation Anxiety (Curtis) Flashcards

0
Q

separation anxiety manifests as what behaviors?

A
  • vocalization
  • destruction
  • elimination
  • excess salivation
  • escape attempts
  • “depression”
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1
Q

what is canine separation anxiety?

A

the distress and problem behaviors dogs engage in relating to absence or perceived absence of family members

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2
Q

what is virtual separation anxiety?

A

pet perceives owner as being gone (i.e. when they are in shower, out in the yard, etc.)

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3
Q

In what time period does SA usually occur in dogs?

A

w/n 5-30 min. after departure

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4
Q

describe behavior on return in dogs with SA

A

increased excitement upon return and lasts a long time

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5
Q

common triggers for on-set of SA

A
  • since puppy hood
  • changes in household
  • post-boarding
  • post-vacation
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6
Q

powerful diagnostic tool of SA

A

video! Helps owner “see the panic”

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7
Q

common owner misconception for SA

A

owner thinks pet has SA and destructive behavior out of spite, anger,etc.

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8
Q

T/F: dog associates punishment for destruction upon owner’s return with act of creating mess

A

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

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9
Q

definition of SA

A

a distress response specificlly related to being separated from social group members. Dog is panicked!

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10
Q

improper punishment may result in what behavior:

A

fear, defensive aggression

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11
Q

DDX of SA based on presence of:

A

+/- evidence of strong attachment

  • behavior in o’s absence, shortly after departure
  • distress behaviors
  • excessive excitement upon o return
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12
Q

DDX of destruction

A

-can have element of play/exploratory behavior, territorial display, or during phobic episodes

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13
Q

DDX of vocalization

A

can result from: outside stimuli, social facilitation, territorial display, or play

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14
Q

possible causes of improper elimination in dogs

A
  • incomplete house training
  • medical/endocrine
  • excitement or submissive urination
  • urine marking
  • cognitive dysfunction
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15
Q

goal of treatment for SA

A

teach pet to be calm and relaxed during owner’s absence

16
Q

Methods of tx for SA

A

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

17
Q

habituation vs. extinction

A

habituation is loss of an INNATE response, while extinction is loss of a LEARNED response

18
Q

methods of changing the meaning of pre-departure cues

A
  • 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)
19
Q

graduated planned departures are like REAL departures w/ 2 exceptions:

A

1) initially absences are very short

2) o leaves a new “safety cue” as they leave

20
Q

safety cue plays on which senses?

A

auditory, visual, olfactory

21
Q

methods of environmental changes and management of SA

A
  • increase play/exercise
  • put dog in day care
  • conditioning to crate
  • mix up departure cues
  • mask departure w/ noise
  • anxiety wrap
22
Q

disadvantage of crates

A

may result in injury to the dog

23
Q

“maintenance medications” are used to:

A

decrease overall level of anxiety. Different than short-acting medications for departures, which primarily address “panic”

24
Q

2 FDA approved medications for SA and dosages **

A

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

25
Q

1 symptom of SA in cats

A

inappropriate urination

26
Q

treatment for SA in cats

A

alprazolam (used during, and 3 days pre and post departure)

27
Q

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for SA in dogs

A

fluoxetine (prozac)
paroxetine (paxil)
sertraline (zoloft)

all used off-label

28
Q

3 benzodiazepines used for SA in dogs

A

alprazolam (xanax)
clonazepam (klonopin)
diazepam (valium)

off-label use, informed consent required

29
Q

Disadvantages of benzodiazepines

A

1) paradoxical excitement: a possible side-effect of benzodiazepines, in which the drug causes INCREASED excitement
2) tolerance
3) controlled substance

30
Q

T/F: you should never use acepromazine alone for SA

A

T. Use with alprazolam

31
Q

adaptil

A

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

32
Q

other treatment options for SA

A
  • thundershirt
  • anxiety wrap
  • another dog?