case study plans were provided at that time. As Gerhardt’s anxiety and high arousal levels were antecedents for the attacks, emphasis was placed on de creasing anxiety and environmental triggers. The veterinary behaviorist prescribed Reconcile (e.g., Fluoxetine), which is a selective serotonin re uptake inhibitor (SSRI) (Ibanez & Anzola, 2009). As psychoactive drugs can take several weeks to take full effect, the next consultation was scheduled six weeks after the Reconcile was started. Lynn and Lee reported seeing improvements in Gerhardt’s anxi ety levels, as well as improvements in his engagement with them, i.e. without hyperexcitability. Additionally, they were taught the basic fun damentals of how to introduce Gerhardt to a basket muzzle. During a sixmonth followup consultation, Gerhardt’s guardians mentioned that it seemed as if the Fluoxetine had stopped working. Meanwhile, Gerhardt now had a diagnosis of mild to moderate hip dys plasia, spinal disc disease, and arthritis, confirmed with Xrays. The anxi etyinduced aggression may have had a pain component all along. Lynn and Lee took Gerhardt to see the veterinary behaviorist again, and he was prescribed Deramaxx to help with the pain. The anxiolytic was changed from Fluoxetine to Gabapentin. The next consultation was three weeks after Deramaxx and Gabapentin had been started. Lynn and Lee reported being elated with great improvements in Gerhardt’s anxiety levels, as well as “having their dog back.” His personality was yet again goofy and playful, he was able to settle on his dog bed whenever the cue “bed” was said. In addition, Lynn and Lee seemed more at ease during the consultation.
Discussion Gerhardt’s guardians were extremely dedicated to their dog, and were
References Battaglia, C.L. (2009). Periods of early development and the effects of stimulation and social experiences in the canine. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 4 203-210 Braem, M., Asher, L., Furrer, S., Lechner, I., Wurbel, H., & Melotti, L. (2017). Development of the “Highly Sensitive Dog” questionnaire to evaluate the personality dimension “Sensory Processing Sensitivity” in dogs. PLoS One 12(5) Camps, T., Amat, M.,& Manteca, X. (2019). A review of medical conditions and behavioral problems in dogs and cats. Animals 9 12 Chin, L. (2020). Doggie Language: A Dog Lover’s Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend. London, UK: Summersdale Dreschel, N.A. (2010). The effects of fear and anxiety on health and lifespan in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 125 157-0162 Dube, M.B., Asher, L., Wurbel, H., Riemer, S., & Melotti, L. (2020). Parallels in the interactive effects of highly sensitive personality and social factors on behaviour problems in dogs and humans. Scientific Reports 10 Foyer, P., Wilsson, E., Wright, D., & Jensen, P. (2013). Early experiences modulate stress coping in a population of German Shepherd Dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 146 79-87 Henley, E. (2019). Stress triggers and how to deal with them. The Veterinary Nurse 10(2) Howell, T.J., King, T., & Bennett, P.C. (2015). Puppy parties and beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports 6 143-153 Ibanez, M., & Anzola, B. (2009). Use of Fluoxetine, Diazepam, and behavior modification as therapy for treatment of anxiety-related disorders in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 4 223-229 Ito, A., Kikusui, T., Takeuchi, Y., & Mori, Y. (2006). Effects of early weaning on anxiety and autonomic responses to stress in rats. Behavioural Brain Research 171 87-93 Kikusui, T., Takeuchi, Y., & Mori, Y. (2004). Early weaning induces anxiety and aggression in adult mice. Physiology & Behavior 81 37-42 Luescher, A.U., & Reisner, I.R. (2008). Canine aggression toward familiar people: a new look at an old problem. Veterinary Clinics of North
open, willing, and flexible to incorporate environmental and behavioral changes that were in their control in order to help decrease his stress levels. They were also receptive to the idea of antianxiety medications, which made the recommendation to see a veterinary behaviorist easy to bring up in discussion with them. Chronic anxiety in dogs is multifaceted and can manifest in several different ways. Chronic pain that wasn’t treated disguised itself as anxi ety. The anxiety manifested as hyperarousal, air snapping, and bites that caused puncture wounds to other dogs. The focus was initially on envi ronmental management to eliminate all the known triggers (e.g., not having any dog guests to the house; not being around other dogs in general), and consultation with a veterinary behaviorist. This case was extremely emotionally charged for all stakeholders in volved: Gerhardt, Lynn and Lee, their visitors, their guest dogs, and the professionals who collaborated on the case. Chronic anxiety can ab solutely disrupt the humananimal bond, and this dog was very lucky to have his humans so invested in his behavioral welfare. Kudos to the en tire team. n *Some names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. Dr. Sheryl L. Walker holds a master’s degree in behavior analysis and a Ph.D. in animal behavior and sheltering. She also operates WAGS: Wonderful Animal Guidance Services in Lafayette, Indiana, specializing in puppies. She has recently obtained her certified applied animal behaviorist (CAAB) certification, and her current research interests are puppy socialization and training. America: Small Animal Practice 38 1107-1130 Pierantoni, L., Albertini, M., & Pirrone, F. (2011). Prevalence of ownerreported behaviours in dogs separated from the litter at two different ages. Veterinary Record 169 468 Plujimakers, J., Appleby, D., & Bradshaw, W.S. (2006). The influence of early experiences on the development of separation problems related to anxiety and fear in dogs. S. Heath, T. DeKeuster (Eds.), Proceedings of the 12th European Congress on Companion Animal Behavioural Medicine. Ghent, September 21-24 (2006), pp. 82-85 Reisner, I. (2014). Dogs don’t bite out of the blue. Psychology Today Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S., Puurunen, J., Hakanen, E., Tiira, K., Araujo, C., & Lohi, H. (2020). Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Scientific Reports 10(1) Slabbert, J.M., & Rasa, O.A. (1993). The effect of early separation from the mother on pups in bonding to humans and pup health. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 64 4-8 Tiira, K., Sulkama, S., & Lohi, H. (2016). Prevalence, comorbidity, and behavioral variation in canine anxiety. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 16 36-44 Wilde, N. (2015). The danger of redirected aggression in dogs. HuffPost Yin, S. (2012). Was it just a little bite or more? Evaluating bite levels in dogs Yin, S. (2012). Canine bite levels
Resources Handelman, B. (2008). Canine Behavior: A Photo Illustrated Handbook. Norwich, VT: Woof and Word Press McDevitt, L. (2007). Control Unleashed: Creating a Focused and Confident Dog. South Hadley, MA: Clean Run Productions LLC Radosta, L. (2019, April). Dog Aggression - What Do We Really Know? Pet Professional Guild Summit Keynote Presentation, Portland, OR. In S. Nilson. (2019, July). Considering Canine Aggression from a Scientific Perspective. BARKS from the Guild (37) 10-12 Wilbers, N. (2020). How to train your dog to voluntarily and enthusiastically wear a muzzle!
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