Lecture 9: Behavior Problems of Geriatric Pets Flashcards

0
Q

CNS changes

A

decreased white/grey matter, neurotransmitters and O2 levels

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1
Q

physical changes in senior pet

A
arthritic joints
spondyltic changes
decreased muscle mass
organ changes (GIT, UT, resp, cardiac)
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2
Q

cognitive decline

A

brains of older dogs/cats have beenfound to have neuropathic lesions similar to dimentia patients

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3
Q

physiologic changes =

A

behavioral changes :(

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4
Q

musculoskeletal changes leading to behavioral changes:

A

arthritis –> pain –> irritability –> aggression

inappropriate elimination
less tolerant of walks/exercise –> increased anxiety

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5
Q

digestive/urinary changes leading to behavioral changes

A

house soiling

medical issues: diarrhea, constipation, renal disease, urinary incontinence

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6
Q

special senses affecting behavioral changes

A

visual/hearing loss: more easily startled –> aggression

loss smell/taste: decrease intrest in food

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7
Q

CNS changes leading to behavioral changes

A

neurotransmitters: less social interactive, slower to obey commands, less alert/aware

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8
Q

top 3 VIN database survey of behavioral complaints in cats

A

excessive vocalizing
inappropriate elimination
disorientation

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9
Q

when does 50% of house soiling begin and what are the reasons?

A

after 10 years old

reasons: renal disease, diabetes mellitus, loss of sight/olfaction, “status issues”, cognitive dysfunction, no reason

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10
Q

when does inter-cat aggression occur?

A

new cat, younger cat, fear-induced, redirected, pain-elicited

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11
Q

hyperactivity and vocalization may be caused by

A

hyperthryoidisim, sensory decline, cognitive dysfunction, pain/discomfort, neurologic, “contact calling” owner

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12
Q

top 3 behavior complaints in VIN database survey on geriatric dogs

A

multiple signs of anxiety
separation anxiety
wandering

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13
Q

anxiety

A

secondary to discomfort, pain, sensory decline

will see: increased vigilance, trembling, tail tucked/ears back, panting, pacing, hiding

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14
Q

reasons for urination house soiling

A

renal disease, arthritis (unable to get up fast enough), fear/anxiety (storm phobia, SA), cognitive decline

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15
Q

reasons for defection house soiling

A

neurologic (loss of control), arthritis (inability to posture), changes in diet, GI disease, anxiety, cognitive decline

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16
Q

separation anxiety definition

when is it most commonly seen?

A

sensitive to changes in routine

bi-modal age groups: young and very old

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17
Q

noise phobias

A

increased anxiety and increased sensitivity

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18
Q

nocturnal restlessness

A

sleep disturbance due to medical issues

its the #1 thing seen with cognitive effects

decreased REM sleep, increased elimination needs, physical discomfort,anxiety, cognitive decline

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19
Q

excessive vocalization

A

distress vocal
attention seeking
separation anxiety
cognitive dysfunction syndrome

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20
Q

human directed aggression causes

A

defensivefear, secondary to anxiety, pain, sensory decline

signs: increased vigilance, trembling, tail tucked, panting

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21
Q

inter-dog aggression: reasons

A

hierarchy issues, communication issues most common

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22
Q

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome

A

recently recognized age related disorder associated with physical and chemical changes in brain

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23
Q

cognitive function

A

mental process that cannot be directly observed: memory, learning, awareness, perception

24
Q

cognitive tasks

A

observable behaviors - housetraining, object discrimination, spatial orientation, resposne to family

25
Q

problem with diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction syndrome

A

its underreported because the owner must be able to recognize the signs!

26
Q

major form categories of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)

A
  1. disorientation
  2. activity and sleep
  3. housetraining
  4. interactions with family members
27
Q

signs of disorientation (category of CDS)

A

wandering, appearing confused/lost, stares at walls, decreased response to verbal cues, unable to recognize familiar places/people, forgets reason for going outside

28
Q

signs of activity and sleep (category of CDS)

A

sleep more overall, less at night, decrease in purposeful activity, increase in aimless activity, nighttime agitation

29
Q

signs of housetraining issues: major form category of CDS

A

eliminates indoors even after just being out, signals less to go out

30
Q

signs of interactions with family members: category of CDS

A

solicits less attention, less likely to stand for petting/walks away, no longer greets owners, may become more “clingy”

31
Q

brain pathophysiology in older dog

A

ventricular enlargement

hippocampus tissue shrinkage

32
Q

chemical changes

A

neurotransmitter changes

beta-amyloid accumulation

33
Q

neurotransmitter changes

A

decrease in function, activity or levels of dopamine, NE, serotinin, Ach, MAO (mono amine oxidase)

34
Q

beta-amyloid accumulation

A

increase beta-amyloid in cerebral cortex

hippocampus –> plaque formation and interference with nerve conduction (neurotoxic)

severity of decline association with extent of amyloid deposition = treat early!

35
Q

feline CDS

A
disorientation and anxiety: vocalization, pacing, house-soiling
sleep-wake alteration
social interaction
learning and memory
signs cahnge with age
36
Q

what age does CDS typically occur in cats

A

> 11 years

37
Q

cats aged 11-14 show what alterations?

A

altered interactions with owner most common

38
Q

cats aged 15+ show what changes in behavior?

A

sleep/wake activity changes are more common

39
Q

treating CDS - what methods are there?

A
general - treat medical problems, control obesity & discomfort, etc
environmental modification
behavior modification
dietary Tx
drug tx
40
Q

what environmental modiciations can be made to treat CDS

A

frequent outdoor access, paper training/diapers, non-skid surfaces, easier access to litter box, avoid major environmental changes

41
Q

behavior modifications to treat CDS

A

reward appropriate behavior, no punish, consistent/moderate exercise, mental/tactile stimulation, relaxation exercises

42
Q

dietary treatment for CDS

A

Hill’s b/d for DOGS - antioxidant formula, improves learning ability and alertness, reduces house soiling and disorientation, improves family interaction/sleep

43
Q

drug treatments available for treatment of CDS

A

Anipryl (Selegiline HCl) - Mono amine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)

  • FDA approved for dogs (can be used in cats but not approved)
  • not a cure, just slows progression
44
Q

selective and irreversible inhibitor of MAO-B

A

antioxidant activity: decrease free radical formation

increase neuro-protective amines: prevention of neurodegenerative processes (like Parkinsons, Alzheimers)

45
Q

What is the dose of Anipryl/Selegiline?

A

0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg every am

should see improvement in 3 months
monitor q 3-6 months
treat for life

46
Q

onset of action of Selegiline

A

variable - 4-12 weeks
69-75% of dogs improves in at least one clinical sign after 1 month
increased improvement may be seen with extended use

47
Q

things to keep in mind about Separation Anxiety

A

separation anxiety is not uncommonly the 1st sign of CDS

SA can manifest as DZ (don’t know what DZ stands for)

if SA proceeds to CDS, wean off fluxetine

wait 2-5 weeks before starting anipryl

48
Q

WARNING about FDA approved drugs!

A

don’t ever give the TWO FDA-approved behavioral medications at the same time

note: in this lecture powerpoint set - it says “two FDA approved behavioral drugs” but in her first lecture she says there are three behavior drugs approved by the FDA (which are clomicalm, anipryl and reconcile), Brittany’s notes also says “3 FDA approved drugs” so… not sure what thats all about

49
Q

what drug should you give for “panic attacks” in dogs

A

anxiolytics!

can also give with selegiline

50
Q

what anxiolytic do you give for fast-onset and short activity

A

alprazolam

51
Q

what anxiolytic do you give for slower-onset and longer lasting?

A

diazepam

clonazepam

52
Q

what is the brand name of selegiline and what drug category is it in?

A

anipryl its a TCA

53
Q

what adjunctive treatment can you give for CDS?

A
anxiolytics
adaptil or feliway
lavendar
melatonin
acupuncture
senilife
novifit
54
Q

what is adaptil

A

a dog appeasing pheromone

55
Q

what is the dose for melatonin?

A

0.1mg/kg/day

56
Q

what is senilife

A

a nutritional supplement for the signs of brain aging in elderly dogs

contains: Vitamins B6 and E, Ginkgo biloba, and phosphatidylserine

57
Q

what is novifit

A

another nutritional supplement that is recommended for aging dogs and cats.

contains a highly pure and stable form of SAMe: S-adenosyl-L-Methionine