“Boom Boom Pow”

By: Erin McIntyre Hinds

http://www.doggiestylish.com/store/blog/2011/06/20-pictures-of-good-dogs-caught-doing-bad-things/

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=dog+destructive&um=1&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=514&tbm=isch&tbnid=9U_Uy4Zuh4khYM:&imgrefurl=http://blogs.sundaymercury.net/weirdscience/2010/10/destructive-dogs-show-signs-of.html&docid=c3m3N6FXTdopwM&w=346&h=346&ei=MI1ETq-FLaHx0gGT4ZnNBw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=176&page=1&tbnh=114&tbnw=120&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0&tx=83&ty=104

http://www.digmydog.org/tags/chew

http://www.digmydog.org/tags/chew

http://www.doggiestylish.com/store/blog/2011/06/20-pictures-of-good-dogs-caught-doing-bad-things/

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Destructive-Behavior-in-Dogs

Meet Fantine

• 8 years old• Female Spayed• Mixed Breed• Adopted from shelter in 2004

Important Previous Medical History

• 1st week home:– Destructive– Defecated in crate, laundry room

• September 2004: Moved to Phoenix– Walks, dog park and apt manager– Destruction continues (blinds)

Important Previous Medical History

• July 2007: Moved to Tucson – Escape artist, apt manager– Destruction continues (blinds, shoes)– Rescue Remedy and Dog Appeasing Pheromone

• Spring 2008: – Destruction worsens (blanket, mats, beds, toys)– Exercise– Owner sought rDVM/behaviorist assistance

Presentation to MSU-CVM

• July 2009: Moved to Starkville• July 14 2009: Presents to MSU-CVM– Clinical signs: Pants, paces, whines, shakes, eyes

dilate, panics during storms (new since moving)– PE: WNL– CBC/CHEM: WNL

Problem List

• Anxious• Destructive• Not always sensitive to pain• Occurs only when owner is not home or during thunderstorms

http://blogberrygarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/agoraphobia-cats-meet-fellows-ago.html

http://billiesblog.com/uncategorized/thunder-anxiety-dogs/

Rule Outs

• House soiling:– Medical causes of house

soiling• UTI, Cystitis, Bladder Stones• IBD, Anal Sac problems, Food

sensitivities

– Inadequate house training– Marking (mostly intact

males)– Prolonged periods without

going outside– Cognitive dysfunction

syndrome

• Destruction:– Limited play or exercise– External stimuli

• Neurological• Separation Anxiety• Thunderstorm Phobia

http://www.lafayette-online.com/community/2009/06/manage-pets-during-fireworks

Diagnosis

• Thunderstorm Phobia complicated by Separation Anxiety

Fear vs. Phobia

• Fears of strange noises or animals are adaptive responses because these can sometimes be associated with an increased risk of injury or even death.

• “Phobias are generally thought to be maladaptive responses of persistent fear and anxiety reactions that are out of proportion to the actual stimulus”

http://animalshak.com/2009/07/to-comfort-or-not-to-comfort-a-scared-dog.html

Thunderstorm Phobia

• Thunderstorm phobia falls under the category of noise phobia, with a few added components to complicate the issue.– the barometric pressure drops, the sky usually

darkens, lightening can occur, the sound of wind and rain can vary

• Dogs that are fearful of storms • Dogs that have a thunderstorm phobia

What’s next?

• July 14 2009:– Took her off Phenobarbital – Tried the thundershirt– Started on Fluoxetine (Reconcile) 20mg Q24H

• August 13 2009:– Refilled Fluoxetine (Reconcile) 20mg Q24H– Recommended Veterinary Behaviorist at Univ of Tenn

• September 16 2009:– Increased Floxetine (Reconcile) to 25mg Q24H

• Fall 2009:– Began fostering dogs to find Fantine a “friend”

Fantine and Eponine

The Destruction Continues

• April 2010:– Fantine and Eponine

chewed up carpet while owner was out of the house

– Both got new crates

The Thunderstorm Phobia Worsens

• May 6 2010: – Presented to MSU-CVM

for fractured tooth and damaged nails/pads from trying to escape from crate during storm

– Took her off Fluoxetine – Prescribed New

Medications:• Clomipramine

(Clomicalm)• Alprazolam (Xanax)

This owner tried

everything!

Exercise

Desensitization

Rescue Remedy & D.A.P.

Phenobarbital & Fluoxetine

Thunder shirt

What did not help Fantine?

Fantine’s Current Medications

• Clomipramine (50 mg) 1 caps Q12H • Alprazolam (2 mg)

.5-1 tab Q24H• Acepromazine (2 mg ) 2 tabs as needed

And she’s doing well right nowon these drugs and dosages.

The Role of Veterinarians

• Client Expectations• Veterinary Medicine includes behavior• Overlooked in some practices

Summary

• We have discussed only one behavior issue, but the reality is there are many behavior issues that owners deal with on a daily basis. It is our job as veterinarians to be there when they need us.

Questions?