Comorbidities between behavioral problems and neurological disorders in an American Staffordshire Terrier

Abstract

A 2-year-old male neutered mixed-breed dog, including American Staffordshire Terrier, was evaluated for human-directed aggression especially when there was a resource at stake. The patient also had difficulties managing his emotions and could become aggressive toward other dogs. The dog received a diagnosis of Hypersensitivity-Hyperactivity and communication trouble. The treatment plan included a pharmacological treatment with fluoxetine at 2.3mg/kg/day and the application of behavioral therapy aimed at reducing impulsivity and aggression while introducing predictability to the patient’s routine. This significantly improved the dog’s behavior. He became less aggressive, more friendly toward other dogs, and had better sleep patterns. However, he began to experience neurological issues such as ataxia and tiredness along to lumbar pain. The dog also started to exhibit worsening neurological problems, including progressive vision loss, which made him increasingly irritable. Despite introducing new exercises to help the owner address these various issues and the real appeasement of the patient, the dog severely bit again. With the behavior becoming more and more unpredictable, and the pain and cognitive problems worsening, the decision was made to euthanize the patient shortly thereafter.