The effects of oral selegiline hydrochloride on learning and training in the dog: a psychobiological interpretation

Cognitive Changes Associated with Aging and Physical Disease in Dogs and Cats

Behavior changes may indicate primary physical disease or primary behavioral disorders in veterinary patients. It is imperative to recognize that secondary behavioral problems can develop due to medical causes. The incidence of systemic disease increases with age and behavior manifestations can be similar to those expected with cognitive dysfunction syndrome. In this article, we review basic concepts of cognition, aging, and cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Additionally, we provide information regarding factors that influence cognition, and the role medical conditions have on the behavior of aging pets.

Verwirrtes älteres Tier – was tun?

Kennen Sie das: Ein Ihnen schon lange bekannter Hund kommt in die Praxis und scheint nicht zu wissen, wo er ist? In diesem Fall leidet er mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit an einer fortgeschrittenen kognitiven Dysfunktion und hätte schon Jahre vorher therapeutisch unterstützt werden sollen. Was können Sie tun, um diese Patienten rechtzeitig zu erkennen?

Behavioural and physiological correlates of impulsivity in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris)

Impulsivity is a trait related to inhibitory control which is expressed in a range of behaviours. Impulsive individuals show a decreased ability to tolerate delay of reinforcement, and more impulsive behaviour has been linked to decreased levels of serotonin and dopamine in a number of species. In domestic dogs, impulsivity is implicated in problem behaviours that result from a lack of self control, but currently there are no published studies that assess behavioural and physiological measures of impulsivity in relation to this trait. Impulsivity scores were calculated for 41 dogs using an owner-report assessment, the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (DIAS). Twenty-three of these subjects completed an operant choice task based on a delayed reward paradigm, to assess their tolerance to delay of reinforcement. High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Fluorometric Detection was used to detect levels of the metabolites of serotonin (5-HIAA) and dopamine (HVA) in the urine of 17 of the subjects. Higher impulsivity scores were found to be significantly correlated with more impulsive behaviour (reduced tolerance to delay of reinforcement) in the behaviour tests and lower levels of urinary 5-HIAA and 5-HIAA/HVA ratio. The results demonstrate convergent validity between impulsivity (as assessed by the DIAS) and behavioural and physiological parameters.

Clomipramine and selegiline: do they influence impulse control?

Anxiety disorders in dogs are often accompanied by loss of impulse control and can result in inappropriate behaviour such as destructiveness, excessive barking and aggression. The reduction of these undesirable actions is the focus of behaviour therapy. Clomipramine and selegiline have been approved for the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs, but there are anecdotal reports that they produce inconsistent therapeutic effect. Hence, the aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of clomipramine and selegiline for regulating impulse control by using a rat model based on the delay of reward procedure. The principle is that the animal has to decide between an immediate small food reward, normally preferred by impulsive animals, and a delayed large food reward. In this study, acute effects of clomipramine (0.3-10.0 mg/kg), selegiline (0.3-3.0 mg/kg), and diazepam (1.0-3.0 mg/kg) on the impulsive behaviour of two breeding lines of rats with different anxiety-related behaviour were investigated. Neither clomipramine nor selegiline had an effect on impulse control in either breeding line. However, motor activity was decreased by clomipramine and increased by selegiline. Diazepam led to an increase in impulsive behaviour of one rat line concomitant with an increase in motor activity. The results of this rat model for studying impulsive behaviour suggest that a single administration of selegiline and clomipramine has no influence on impulsive behaviour.

Construct models in veterinary behavioural medicine: lessons from the human experience

Veterinary behavioural medicine is marked by inconsistency in the naming and description of animal behavioural disorders, potentially hindering research and reducing the clinical utility of diagnoses. Sources of diagnostic inconsistency are suggested and parallels with human psychiatry are identified. This paper questions the use of categorical models as the basis for classification and reviews criticisms of categorical approaches in psychiatry. Evidence is presented to suggest an inconsistency between discrete categories and the structure of animal behavioural disorders. The potential benefits of exploring alternative models are discussed. It is concluded that it is important to move away from an approach based on advocacy and towards objective assessment of all available data. Existing diagnoses should be viewed as hypothetical constructs, with the underlying hypotheses being identified and subject to investigation. It is emphasized that global communication, empirical investigations and critical review are necessary for the development of a solid scientific basis within veterinary behavioural medicine.

Behavioral considerations in the management of working dogs

This article is not intended as a comprehensive exploration of all issues related to the behavioral management of working dogs or as a survey of all manners of canine employment. Rather, it is one person's perspective into the challenges of managing a behavioral medicine program in a large-scale working dog program environment. The issues presented, however, are those that are commonly encountered when selecting, assessing, diagnosing, and treating working dogs. I hope this article provides insight not only into the author's program but also into some of the unique challenges in working with working dogs as well as some of the commonalities of this kind of behavioral practice with companion animal settings.

Pharmacologic management in veterinary behavioral medicine

As our knowledge expands, behavioral pharmacology plays an increasingly important role in behavioral medicine. Drugs traditionally categorized as anxiolytics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and hormones may be used to help manage a range of animal behavioral problems. Knowledge of how these agents act in the body and interact with other agents is imperative for safe and efficacious use.