Pharmacology

Question 1

What are 2 brain structures involved in anxiety?

Answer 1

Amygdala: processes and interrupts sensory signals, alerts the brain of danger. Also stores emotional memories

Hippocampus: responsible for encoding threats into memories

Question 2

What is the most common anxiety related diagnosis in dogs? What are some others? (7)

Answer 2

Separation anxiety

Aggression with other dogs, compulsive disorder, fear-related agression, fears/phobias, inappropriate attention seeking, leash reactivity, resource guarding

Question 3

What is the people-attachment (social support) theory of the human animal bond?

Answer 3

Attachment relationships are necessary when living in a group, helps keep members together. Evolutionarily beneficial for animals to be in a group with humans in a caretaker relationship

Question 4

What are some ways separation anxiety may manifest? (6)

Answer 4

Excessive vocalization, destructive behaviour, elimination (urination/defecation), trembling, pacing, salivating

Question 5

What are 2 unfavourable and 2 favourable responses to separation anxiety?

Answer 5

Unfavorable:
Confinement
Punishment

Favourable:
Systematic desensitization
Medication (when the former is not working)

Question 6

What can the abrupt discontinuation of a medication result in?

Answer 6

Rebound symptoms, the undesirable behaviour returns and is worse than before starting the medication. Can be avoided by gradually weaning off the medication.

Question 7

What are the 4 most common categories of anti anxiety drugs?

Answer 7

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Fluoxetine (prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil)

Tricyclic antidepressants: Clomipramine (Clomicalm), amitryptyline

Monoamine oxidative inhibitors (MOIs): seligeline

Novel anticonvulsants: Gabapentin

Question 8

What are the mechanism of action, benefits, and complications (7) of SSRIs?

Answer 8

Inhibition of Serotonin reuptake by presynaptic neurons

Less complications than tricyclics and MOIs

Agitation, increased anxiety, inappetence, lowered seizure threshold, sedation, tremors

Question 9

What are the mechanism of action, benefits, and complications (12) of tricyclics? What is the major downside?

Answer 9

Inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake by presynaptic neurons (less selective than SSRIs

May inhibit memory formation

Also antihistamine, anticholinergic, blocks Na/Ca channels (major cause of side effects)

Constipation, inappetence, dry mouth/eyes, increases anxiety, lowered seizure threshold, sedation, tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia, urine retention

Higher risk of cardiac problems

Question 10

What are the mechanism of action and complications (4) of MOIs?

Answer 10

Prevents the degradation of all neurotransmitters

Agitation, disorientation, vomiting, diarrhea

Question 11

What are the mechanism of action, usages and complications in dogs (8) of novel anticonvulsants?

Answer 11

Thought that it will reduce the release of exitatory neurotransmitters (ie glutamate), reducing hypersensitivity of post-synaptic nerves

Treating epilepsy, neuropathic and chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis. Also used to sedate prior to stressful events

Associated with renal and hepatic complications, sedation, ataxia, agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence

Question 12

What are the usages and complications (5) of gabapentin in cats

Answer 12

Used to reduce anxiety in stressful situations

Sedation, ataxia, hypersalivation, vomiting, muscle faciculations