Dog behavior

A case of generalised anxiety in a cocker-spaniel

2024-03-14T14:28:40+00:00

A dog (Larry) was evaluated for his fear of noises, strangers, bikes, scooters and for his tendency to eat anything he finds on the ground. Larry comes from a farm in the countryside, and now he lives in a residential neighbourhood in the city. Considering his auditory hypersensitivity and the variety of contexts in which Larry feels fearful, generalised anxiety is likely. The therapeutic protocol consists of 3 sections: Work on the Behaviour, Work on the environment, and medical treatment (Fluoxetine 1 mg/kg SID). After 3 months, a follow up in consultation took place, and the owner reported an improvement in Larry’s anxiety: now he is calmer both at home and on the leash and doesn't react to cars or buses. After 6 months, a telephonic follow up took place, and a general improvement was assessed.

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

2023-12-18T21:15:32+00:00

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.

Dogs do not exhibit avoidance behavior in response to the smell of snakes

2024-02-17T09:28:48+00:00

Dogs possess the ability to recognize potential dangers associated with snakes primarily through their visual system, rather than relying on their olfactory system. Previous studies have predominantly focused on the odors of dangerous snakes in the American continent, which do not overlap with the areas of the domestication process. Consequently, it is unlikely that present-day American dogs have developed innate responses to local snakes due to limited historical exposure. The objective of the current study is to conduct experiments involving dogs and the odor of venomous snakes distributed in regions where the ancestor wolves of dogs coexisted and where domestication occurred. For this purpose, we have specifically chosen three species from the Vipera genus. The study involved 40 domestic dogs with an average age of 34.6 ± 26.7 months. Each dog participated in a single one-minute trial and was randomly assigned to either the vipers or control conditions. The trials took place in a room containing the owners, the apparatus, and two water bowls. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney tests were utilized to analyze the data. The results indicated that male dogs exposed to the smell of vipers interacted with the apparatus for a longer duration compared to the control odor group. They also remained in the apparatus zone for an extended period. However, no statistically significant results were observed for females and other variables in both sexes, including behaviors directed towards the owner and the door, exploration, passivity, and stress signals. The findings of this study suggest that dogs do not exhibit discrimination between the scent of vipers and the control odor. Consequently, it supports the notion that dogs may be unable to avoid snakebites when they frequent areas populated by venomous snakes.

Beneficial Effects of a Novel Nutraceutical Supplement, Calmina® (Buonapet) upon Mood-related Disorders in Dogs: 5 Case Reports

2024-02-06T18:00:10+00:00

Behavioural disorders in pets, including aggression, separation anxiety or noise phobia are increasingly common over the recent years, reach up to more than 80% worldwide, thus representing one of main concerns in animal wellbeing and human-animal relationship as well. Despite the availability of conventional therapies, based on the use of the quite effective medication, pet parents are often reluctant to use it, rather preferring natural compounds. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe the effects of a novel nutritional supplement, namely Calmina®, in five family dogs, affected by dysfunctional behaviours. Depending on the symptom’s severity, the animals were treated from one to four months. We observed an improvement of behavioural symptoms, and an easier management by their owners. Overall, our preliminary data suggest that the administration of Calmina® might be used to reduce anxiety-related behaviours and facilitate rehabilitation program. Further studies are mandatory to better analyze potential effects in a larger sample of dogs with behavioral disorders and in long-term treatment, as well as tolerance and safety.

The Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome: epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis

2023-12-03T20:25:47+00:00

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) represents a progressive neurodegenerative disease primarily studied in elderly dogs. CDS manifests various clinical signs within the behavioural realm, ranging from alterations in social interaction to disorientation and anxiety. This paper provides an in-depth exploration of CDS, encompassing its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis. The diagnosis and management of CDS in ageing dogs present a significant challenge due to the wide array of nonspecific clinical symptoms and pathological signs associated with the condition. Recognising CDS as a neurobehavioral disease, where neurological signs and behavioural symptoms are intricately linked, is imperative, and early detection of cognitive impairment is crucial for successful treatment. Various screening questionnaires could play a pivotal role in objectively assessing cognitive decline, aiding in the identification and management of CDS. Further studies should investigate deeper the results of such tools, comparing the methods and reliability in both research and clinical environment.