13 Psychological INTRODUCTION High levels of activity are normal for certain breeds and ages of dog. It is often rewarded and reinforced inadvertently by owner attention. Hyperactivity is overdiagnosed in dogs. Most are overactive or under-exercised. Anxiety can produce increased activity, pacing, vigilance, destructive behaviour, vocalization as well as panting, salivation, pupil dilation, drooling, shedding fur, urination and defecation. Signs of separation anxiety begin shortly after the owner’s departure. Low serum levels of phenobarbitone can cause hyperactivity. Hyperthyroid cats may appear more restless and aggressive. Stereotypic, ritualistic, or obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs) are a select aspect of normal behaviour repetitively performed out of context and which replaces normal functioning during the episode. There may be a specific trigger initially but the condition progresses so that any state of stress, anxiety or high arousal will induce the stereotypic behaviour. The animal appears conscious but may not be responsive to the environment. The behaviour can be interrupted and no post-ictal phase of ataxia or depression follows. Stereotypic movement is the most commonly reported category: tail-chasing, pacing, spinning/circling, fence-running, jumping in place, chasing light, freezing, staring and vocalizing and snapping at the air (fly catching/snapping; catching rain drops). Over-grooming, limb or paw chewing, licking, flank-sucking and scratching may also be categorized as OCDs. Skin lesions and paresthesias should be ruled out. Seizure activity is generally considered a prime differential diagnosis as the animal is often not responsive to the owner during the event. One dog was referred for poorly-controlled seizures which consisted of the dog sitting and spinning on its tail. This was neither a seizure nor an OCD: treatment of his dermatitis resolved the problem. Dogs with neck pain may episodically circle but should show signs of pain in the history or on examination, e.g. not shaking the head fully, root-signature lameness, etc. Nerve compression/inflammation/neoplasia can cause pain or a suspected paraesthesia giving episodic signs in a conscious animal. Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Metabolic encephalopathy: hepatic encephalopathy Metabolic encephalopathy: osmolality Idiopathic epilepsy LMN paresis and paralysis: Brachial plexus avulsion Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Saunders Solutions in Veterinary Practice Small Animal Neurology Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by admin in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Psychological Full access? Get Clinical Tree
13 Psychological INTRODUCTION High levels of activity are normal for certain breeds and ages of dog. It is often rewarded and reinforced inadvertently by owner attention. Hyperactivity is overdiagnosed in dogs. Most are overactive or under-exercised. Anxiety can produce increased activity, pacing, vigilance, destructive behaviour, vocalization as well as panting, salivation, pupil dilation, drooling, shedding fur, urination and defecation. Signs of separation anxiety begin shortly after the owner’s departure. Low serum levels of phenobarbitone can cause hyperactivity. Hyperthyroid cats may appear more restless and aggressive. Stereotypic, ritualistic, or obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs) are a select aspect of normal behaviour repetitively performed out of context and which replaces normal functioning during the episode. There may be a specific trigger initially but the condition progresses so that any state of stress, anxiety or high arousal will induce the stereotypic behaviour. The animal appears conscious but may not be responsive to the environment. The behaviour can be interrupted and no post-ictal phase of ataxia or depression follows. Stereotypic movement is the most commonly reported category: tail-chasing, pacing, spinning/circling, fence-running, jumping in place, chasing light, freezing, staring and vocalizing and snapping at the air (fly catching/snapping; catching rain drops). Over-grooming, limb or paw chewing, licking, flank-sucking and scratching may also be categorized as OCDs. Skin lesions and paresthesias should be ruled out. Seizure activity is generally considered a prime differential diagnosis as the animal is often not responsive to the owner during the event. One dog was referred for poorly-controlled seizures which consisted of the dog sitting and spinning on its tail. This was neither a seizure nor an OCD: treatment of his dermatitis resolved the problem. Dogs with neck pain may episodically circle but should show signs of pain in the history or on examination, e.g. not shaking the head fully, root-signature lameness, etc. Nerve compression/inflammation/neoplasia can cause pain or a suspected paraesthesia giving episodic signs in a conscious animal. Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Metabolic encephalopathy: hepatic encephalopathy Metabolic encephalopathy: osmolality Idiopathic epilepsy LMN paresis and paralysis: Brachial plexus avulsion Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join
