Tools for the management of behavioural cases Flashcards
What are the 2 main aims of altering neurochemistry?
- Promote biogenic amines e.g. catecholamines (dopamine, noradrenaline) and serotonin
- Promote inhibitory neurotransmitters e.g. GABA
What are the 3 methods to alter neurochemistry?
Medication
Nutraceuticals
Diet
In what cases is medication approapriate?
Where emotional state is inhibiting learning
- high arousal
- negative emotions
- compulsive responses
Selection criteria for cases for drug therapy include..?
- Behavioural diagnosis and underlying emotional state
- Duration of the problem
- Severity of symptoms
- Risk of euthanasia/rehoming
- Threat to the animals welfare
Name the licenced tricyclic antidepressant for dogs
Clomipramine
What action do TCAs have?
Serotonergic
Noradrenergic
- increase levels of serotonin and noradrenaline by inhibiting re-uptake transporter
What must you consider if prescribing a TCA for behavioural modification?
Lag time to effect - won’t see overt effect for 4-6 weeks => require O compliance
Do not administer with Monoamine oxidase B inhibitor
Give an example of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
- Fluoextine - dogs & cats
- Sertraline - dogs
What must you consider if prescribing a SSRI for behavioural modification?
Lag time to effect- won’t see overt effect for 4-6 weeks => require O compliance
Do not administer with MAOBIs
Same as TCAs, but as SSRIs are serotonin-specific there are fewer side effects
Give an example of a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI).
In what situations is it commonly used?
Trazodone
- Situational anxiety
Give an example of a Monoamine oxidase B inhibitor (MAOBI).
Selegiline hydrochloride
What is the action of Monoamine oxidase B inhibitor (MAOBI)?
Primarily dopaminergic action, also affects serotonin and noradrenaline
Give an example of a benzodiazepine used for behavioural modification
Diazepam
Midazolam
In which cases are benzodiazepines indicated for use?
- memory blocking
- if an animal has a negative emotional response to something you can’t avoid exposure to, blocking memory will prevent learning behaviours through association
- sedation
- disrupted sleep
Which drugs can be given in cases requiring anxiolytic and sedative action but no amnesic action?
Micro-dose of dexmedetomidine
e.g. in situations of unavoidable exposure to fear inducing stimuli - fireworks
What beta-blocker is used in behavioural modification?
When is it indicated?
Propranolol
- situational anxiety
- administer one hour before desired effect
Give examples of anti-epileptics used in behavioural modification and when they are indicated
Pexion - sound related fears
Topiramate - compulsive mutilation disorders
Give an example of a female hormone that can cause behavioural issues.
What can be given to counteract this?
Prolactin
- increases anxiety and resource defence
- influences interactions between bitches
Can give cabergoline (galastop), which inhibits prolactin release
Give an example of a male hormone that can cause behavioural issues.
What can be given to counteract this?
Testosterone - lust-motivated behaviours
Can give deslorelin (suprelorin)
- chemical castration
What is the sedation protocol for cats when it is prepared at home before the vets visit?
- Gabapentin 2-3 hours before putting cat in cat carrier
- Produces sedation and possible ataxia
- Lasts for 6-8 hours
What is the sedation protocol for dogs when it is prepared at home before the vets visit?
Benzodiazepines – alprazolam given one hour before appointment
Give some examples of drugs that can be used for situational anxiety
- Benzodiazepines
- Dexmedetomidine
- Beta blockers
- Gabapentin
- serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (Trazodone)
Give some examples of drugs that can be used for generalised anxiety
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
- Serotonin agonist reuptake inhibitor
- Anti-epileptics
Name a drug that could be used for compulsive disorders.
SSRI – fluoxetine
Name a drug that could be used for fear.
MAOBI – selegiline
Name a drug that could be used for grief-related behaviour change.
MAOBI – selegiline
Treatment of chronic pain is often a feature of behavioural medicine.
What drugs can be used?
NSAIDs – meloxicam, firocoxib
Gabapentin/Pregabalin
Paracetamol
NDMA receptor antagonists – memantine, amantidine
What are the two main uses of nutraceuticals in behavioural medication?
- influence cognitive function
- influence emotional state
What can be used to support cognitive function?
- Nutraceuticals
- Diet
- Medication
What is the role of Phosphotidylserine?
- alter oxidative balance and support cognitive function
- improves memory retrieval and exploratory behaviour
- stimulates acetylcholine output from the cerebral cortex; stimulates dopamine synthesis
Name the one synthetic canine pheromone available, which pheromone is it based on?
Adaptil - dog appeasing pheromone
Name the 3 synthetic feline pheromones available
Feliway Classic
Feliway Friends
Feliway Optimum
What are the practical considerations of pheromone diffuser devices?
They have an oil carrier => should be left switched on for 24 hours a day and should not be places under a surface
It is advisable to remove other household air fresheners when using these products due to the potential for interaction between carriers in the different products
It is advised that diffusers shouldn’t be used in the same room as caged birds or sleeping asthmatics
What is the major application for the use of Adpatil?
Treatment or prevention of fear and stress related behavioural problems including destructive behaviour, inappropriate vocalisation, house soiling and excessive licking
In what forms can you get dog-appeasing pheromone?
Diffuser - adaptil calm
Collar - adaptil calm / junior
Spray (for bedding etc) - adaptil transport
What pheromones are the 3 synthetic cat pheromone products based on?
- Classic = feline facial pheromone complex
- Friends = Feline appeasing hormone
- Optimum = combination
When is the use of Feliway classic recommended?
For cases of urine marking related to loss of core territory security
- Its presence increases the perception that the environment is safe
When is the use of feliway friends indictaed?
Makes individual cats feel more secure - does not make cats friends
What are the are the five marketed indications for Feliway Optimum?
- Indoor marking
- Excessive hiding (related to fear-anxiety motivation)
- Reaction to environmental change
- Unwanted scratching
- Intercat tension
