16: Behavioral Disorders

SECTION 16 Behavioral Disorders



Section Editor: Rhea V. Morgan, DVM, DACVIM (Small Animal), DACVO



Aggression Among Household Cats

Dominance Aggression in Dogs

Elimination Problems in Cats

Elimination Problems in Dogs

Fear and Anxiety Disorders in Dogs

Petting Intolerance and Status Aggression in Cats

Play Aggression in Cats

Possessive and Territorial Aggression in Dogs


Aggression Among Household Cats


Rhea V. Morgan, DVM, DACVIM (Small Animal), DACVO



BASIC INFORMATION



Description


Cats are highly social and form discrete social groups and hierarchies. Intercat aggression can arise in a number of circumstances when cats are expected to live in the same environment. Aggression is common between intact males because of the competition for potential mates. Although this type of aggression is considered normal, it is usually unacceptable in confined cats and is a major reason why domesticated male cats are castrated.


Aggression can also arise when a new (strange) cat is introduced to the environment or when one cat attempts to dominate another.



Causes


Intercat aggression may develop in relation to social maturity issues or environmental changes within the household that are independent of the drive to mate. Cats that live in isolation from an early age or for much of their life may have poor social skills. Aggression is common toward new cats, because they are recognized as foreign to the established social group. The presence of a new cat also upsets the existing social hierarchy and may trigger dominance aggression among cats that got along well previously.


Other environmental disruptions can trigger dominance aggression, including temporary removal of a high-ranking cat from the environment (such as for a hospital stay) and failure of other cats to recognize or acknowledge the cat’s prior status when it returns. Disruptive events in the household can precipitate fighting that may alter the normal social balance among cats. Genetic factors may also play a role in dominance aggression.



imageClinical Signs


With the introduction of a new cat, the current cats in the household may hiss, spit, or attack the new one. With regard to dominance aggression, cats that got along well previously may begin to behave in a dominant or submissive fashion. The dominant cat approaches the subordinate one with the base of the tail elevated and the rest of the tail drooping. Its walk is stiff-legged. It may stare at the other cat or slowly rock its head from side to side. If the subordinate cat runs, the dominant cat may launch an attack. The victim may hide and actively avoid social encounters with the aggressor.



imageDiagnostic Tests


Diagnosis of dominance aggression is usually made from a thorough history. It is necessary to distinguish this form of aggression from play aggression and from redirected aggression by a highly aroused cat that cannot reach its preferred target (such as an outside animal). The circumstances that precipitate these other disorders may seem similar, but careful scrutiny of the events and clinical signs often reveals characteristic differences.



TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP




imageTreatment Options


The following measures are often helpful when introducing a new cat to the household:


• Initially, isolate the new cat in its own room, with its own food and water bowls and litter pan.

• Gradually introduce the cats through a glass or screened door or by cracking a solid door open 1-2 inches.

• Share bedding or cloths rubbed against the cats’ faces to familiarize them with each other’s scent.

• Once the cats appear to be acclimated to each other, allow them physical access for gradually increasing periods, under close supervision. A harness can be used on one of cats to provide some control.

For dominance and other intercat aggression, the following can be done:


• Separate the cats when they are unsupervised.

• Make sure that all cats have access to enough litter pans and food and water dishes so that they do not have to interact to fulfill their essential needs.

• Rotate cats that get along with both parties in the conflict, so that the aggressive situation does not progress to involve more cats.

• Desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques, as outlined by your veterinarian, can be tried in some neutral location within the house.

For both situations, medical therapy with fluoxetine, sertraline, clomipramine, amitriptyline, or other similar agents may be tried in refractory cases.



imageFollow-up Care


Repeated consultations may be needed with your veterinarian to monitor the cat’s response to modifications made in the environment and to any medications used. Report any escalation in aggression to your veterinarian.



Prognosis


With regard to introducing a new cat, well-socialized, friendly cats may accept each other within hours or days. Poorly socialized cats may require weeks to months, and in rare instances, they may never accept each other.


Prognosis for dominance aggression is poor. Resolution is possible with weeks to months of consistent treatment but does not always occur.



SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:



Dominance Aggression in Dogs


Elizabeth A. Shull, DVM, DACVB, DACVIM (Neurology)



BASIC INFORMATION



Description


Dominance aggression (social, competitive, owner-directed) involves threatening postures and behaviors directed toward family members or other familiar people by a dog that perceives itself to be more dominant than the person. It is particularly disturbing because the aggression seems to be unprovoked and unpredictable.


Use of the term dominance aggression has been questioned, because the concept of dominance in dogs has been widely misused; dominance aggression has been overdiagnosed; and there is concern that the terminology suggests the dog should be domineered to manage the aggression.



Causes


Dominance aggression has its roots in the social organization of wolves, the domestic dog’s closest wild relative. Within the wolf pack, there is a social hierarchy in which the dominant individuals have first access to critical resources. Among domestic dogs, dominance threats and overt aggression are exhibited in the contexts of competition over “resources” or in response to challenges and dominance signals.


People frequently do not understand how a dominant dog interprets their actions and gestures, so, from the dog’s perspective, people can be confusing and inconsistent. Lavishing gratuitous affection on the dog, giving in to its demands for attention, or even unintentionally mimicking canine submissive signals (such as kissing the dog on its face) are contradictory behaviors to expecting the dog to do what the owner wishes. Inconsistency and unpredictability in social interactions with family members can result in anxiety and instability in the dog’s social relationships, which in turn can escalate social competition and dominance aggression.



imageClinical Signs


The highest incidence of dominance aggression occurs in intact males, followed by castrated males, spayed females, and unspayed females. Purebred dogs, especially the English springer spaniel, Lhasa apso, cocker spaniels, Doberman pinscher, toy poodle, and terriers, have a higher incidence than other breeds. Onset typically occurs at 1-3 years of age. Onset may seem sudden, but early, subtle signs may not be recognized.



imageDiagnostic Tests


A complete medical history, physical examination, and comprehensive laboratory tests are recommended to look for possible medical factors that can contribute to or complicate management of the aggression.


The behavioral diagnosis of canine aggression is determined by context and the specific stimulus or trigger, the target, behavioral components, and the age, sex, and breed of the dog.


• Context and triggers: Aggression may occur when the dog’s dominance has been challenged by a dominance signal (petting, hugging, staring at, standing over, commanding, scolding, punishing, or forcing the dog to do something) or when a family member “competes” for a “critical resource” (such as food or a prized object).

• Target: Dominance aggression is most often directed toward the dog’s owners and other familiar people and may be preferentially directed to certain individuals.

• Behavioral components: Snarling, growling, lunging, snapping, biting, and assumption of a dominant posture (erect or stiff body, ears, and tail; raised hackles; direct stare) may occur. Some dogs exhibit varying degrees of both dominance and fear, indicating that there is some anxiety or ambivalence in the dog’s motivation.


imageTreatment Options


Because of the dangerous and complex nature of dominance aggression, specific treatment by a professional with knowledge and experience in the management of canine aggression is advised. The following are only general recommendations:


• Human safety is the first consideration. It is particularly dangerous to keep these dogs in homes with children. Young children are especially at risk.

• The aggression triggers should be identified and avoided. Head halters and basket muzzles may help reduce biting risk, but they are not guaranteed to prevent injury. Physical punishment is dangerous and counterproductive.

• Castration of intact males reduces dominance aggression, but the benefit may not occur for several months. Spaying of intact females may increase aggression.

• Obedience training is important to develop commands that can be used in behavior modification programs. “Nothing in Life is Free,” a nonconfrontational method that requires the dog to defer by obeying commands before every interaction (attention, food, petting, play), can lessen the dog’s dominant position. Specific desensitization techniques can reduce the dog’s reaction to certain aggression triggers.

• Changes should be made in the way the family interacts with the dog to alter the dog’s perception of its status. Temporarily withdrawing attention from the dog, as well as changes in feeding routine, exercise schedule, and sleeping or resting sites, may be recommended.

• Serotonergic drugs and drugs that improve impulse control may be beneficial for some dogs.


Prognosis


Dominance aggression is rarely, if ever, cured. In many instances, the severity can be reduced, but when the potential for serious injury is great, euthanasia should be considered.



SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:



Elimination Problems in Cats


Elizabeth A. Shull, DVM, DACVB, DACVIM (Neurology)



BASIC INFORMATION



Description


Elimination problems are the most common behavior problems of cats. They involve voluntary urination, defection, or both, outside the litter box and expression of urine while marking (spraying). Pet cats may mark with feces (middening), but this occurs rarely.


Any age, sex, or breed of cat may be affected, but long-haired cats may have an increased tendency for inappropriate defecation. Intact males spray urine the most, followed by neutered males and then intact and spayed females.



Causes


Behavioral causes of elimination problems include inappropriate elimination or toileting, urine marking, separation anxiety, and occasionally other types of fears. Medical abnormalities can also cause eliminations outside the litter box. Cats do not urinate, defecate, or urine mark out of spite.


• Inappropriate elimination is a common cause and often results from an aversion to something associated with the litter or litter box, or from an attraction or preference for something outside the litter box.

• Cats can have an aversion to the litter, the litter box, or the location of the litter box. Litter aversion may be related to texture or scent of the litter, presence of a deodorizer, depth of litter, inadequate cleaning, or a previous negative experience (such as pain or fear) associated with the litter.

• Litter box aversion may be related to the type (open, covered, self-cleaning) or size of the box, location of the box (high traffic area, isolated, poor accessibility, vulnerable to surprise attacks by other cats), presence or absence of a liner, type or scent of cleaner used in the box, and previous negative experiences.

• Conversely, cats may seek other surfaces and locations for elimination because of a preference for a particular surface or association of a specific type of surface or location with the act of eliminating. Fabric is a commonly chosen alternative surface.

• Urine marking is normal cat communication behavior. It may be motivated by sexual, territorial, or conflict situations involving other cats, and it may be triggered by social and environmental factors such as residual urine odors, unfamiliar odors, or the presence of unfamiliar animals or people. Cats outside the home may trigger spraying around doors, windows, air vents, and fireplaces. The more cats in a household, the greater the probability that spraying will occur.


imageClinical Signs


Inappropriate elimination involves evacuation of a normal volume of urine or feces on a horizontal surface while the cat is in a squatting posture. Signs of litter or litter box aversion include complete avoidance of the litter, approaching the box hesitantly, perching on the edge of the box, not scratching in the litter, spraying while in the litter box, eliminating just outside the box, quickly running away from the box, and shaking of paws or meowing on exiting the box.


• A surface preference is suspected when a cat predominantly eliminates on a particular type of surface; a location preference is suggested when a cat frequently eliminates in one room or region of a room.

• Inappropriate elimination due to separation anxiety is suspected if the elimination occurs in the owner’s absence. Urinating on the owner’s bed is a common manifestation of separation anxiety.

Urine marking involves expression of a small volume of urine on a vertical surface by a cat in a standing position with a raised, quivering tail. Less commonly, cats may mark while squatting. Urine may be sprayed on established marking posts or on sites or objects that have social significance.



imageDiagnostic Tests


A thorough examination and routine laboratory tests are done, and additional laboratory tests, x-rays, and other imaging procedures may be recommended depending on the initial findings. After medical problems are excluded, behavioral diagnoses and treatment rely on descriptions of the behavioral problem and historical information.


Be sure to relay all pertinent information, such as the duration and frequency of the occurrences, location of the elimination, litter box information, relationships with other pets and people in the household, correction methods that have been tried, and medications being administered. Drawing a diagram of the floor plan of the house and indicating the locations and surfaces upon which elimination is occurring, as well as the locations of windows, doors, food and water bowls, and litter boxes, is often helpful.


In multiple-cat households, it must be determined which cat or cats are involved. Isolating the cats one at a time may reveal which one is responsible. Sometimes, a fluorescein chemical is given or scrapings of different-colored nontoxic crayons are placed into each cat’s food to identify which cat is urinating or defecating inappropriately.

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Sep 11, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on 16: Behavioral Disorders

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