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Muñoz Amezcua AC, Jones JM, Griffith EH, Gruen ME. Pilot Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Long-Term Oral Imepitoin Treatment for Control of (Thunder)Storm-Associated Noise Phobia/Noise Aversion in Dogs Using an Individualized-Dose Titration Approach. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:545. [PMID: 38396513 PMCID: PMC10886229 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Imepitoin is a low-affinity partial agonist for benzodiazepine binding sites of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors with anxiolytic effects. It has been shown to reduce anxiety during noise-related events in dogs when given at 30 mg/kg PO BID, although this dose was associated with ataxia and increased appetite in some cases. The objective of this study was to assess its safety and efficacy for storm anxiety when started at 10 mg/kg PO BID and titrated to effect up to 30 mg/kg PO BID during storm season. Significant decreases in anxiety scores were seen in weekly surveys and storm logs (SLs) at 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg PO BID. Serious adverse events (AEs) were not reported in any subject. Ataxia was the most commonly reported non-serious AE (14/33), followed by increased hunger (13/33). The frequency of AEs was higher in the 20 mg/kg PO BID group than in the 10 mg/kg group PO BID. No clinically significant changes were seen in lab work pre- and post-study. In conclusion, Imepitoin given during storm season at doses ranging from 10 to 30 mg/kg PO BID reduced clinical signs of fear and anxiety during storms for the dogs in this study. These findings support the use of an individually titrated dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C. Muñoz Amezcua
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Jones
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Emily H. Griffith
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA;
| | - Margaret E. Gruen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
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2
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Malkani R, Paramasivam S, Wolfensohn S. A Multidimensional Evaluation of the Factors in the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) That Are Associated with, and Predictive of, Behaviour Disorders in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:528. [PMID: 38396496 PMCID: PMC10886356 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Behavioural disorders in dogs are common and have severe welfare consequences for dogs. This study aimed to assess the factors that are significant and predictive of behaviour problems in dogs using the animal welfare assessment grid (AWAG) to further understand what factors influence their welfare. 177 AWAG assessments were undertaken across 129 dogs that clinicians deemed to have a behavioural disorder. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to assess the difference in scores between dogs with behaviour disorders and a cohort of healthy dogs (n = 117). This analysis showed that all physical factors besides body condition, all procedural factors besides procedure pain, and all psychological, and environmental factors were significantly different between healthy dogs and dogs with behaviour disorders. Spearman rank correlation coefficient (RS) revealed several significant strong positive correlations including the procedural impact on the dog's daily routine with aggression towards unfamiliar people and procedure pain, as well as other correlations between the dog's behaviour during assessment with the frequency at which they encounter fears and anxieties, clinical assessment and procedure pain, and reaction to stressors and social interactions. These findings highlight the interdependent nature of the various influences of welfare. Logistic regression analysis identified that aggression towards the caregiver, fears and anxieties frequency, and choice, control, and predictability were all significant predictors of behaviour disorders. The findings have important implications for veterinary, behaviour, and animal welfare professionals as any changes across these factors may indicate poor welfare linked to emotional disorders in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Malkani
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7AL, UK; (S.P.); (S.W.)
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3
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Peek SI, Meller S, Twele F, Packer RMA, Volk HA. Epilepsy is more than a simple seizure disorder: Parallels between human and canine cognitive and behavioural comorbidities. Vet J 2024; 303:106060. [PMID: 38123061 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.106060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric and cognitive comorbidities have been known to play a major role in human epilepsy for a long time. People with epilepsy (PWE) frequently express signs of varying psychiatric and cognitive disorders affecting their quality and quantity of life (QoL/QaoL). Over the last few years, research on behavioural comorbidities and their effect on the underlying disease have been performed in canine epilepsy. The following article reviews manifestations of comorbidities in canine epilepsy with an emphasis on patterns of clinical signs and their effects on QoL and QaoL. Cognitive and behavioural alterations in epileptic dogs are mainly represented by fear-/anxiety related behaviour and cognitive impairment (CI). Reduced trainability and altered reactions to daily situations are common results of comorbid changes posing obstacles in everyday life of owners and their dog. In addition, clinical signs similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in humans have been reported. Canine attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-like (c-ADHD-like) behaviour should, however, be evaluated critically, as there are no official criteria for diagnosis of ADHD or ADHD-like behaviour in dogs, and some of the reported signs of c-ADHD-like behaviour could be confused with anxiety-associated behaviour. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors could potentially influence the development of behavioural and cognitive comorbidities in canine epilepsy. In particular, seizure frequency/severity, signalment and factors concerning disease management, such as pharmacotherapy and nutrition, are closely linked with the presence of the aforementioned comorbid disorders. Further studies of behavioural alterations in epileptic dogs are needed to comprehend the complexity of clinical signs and their multifactorial origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia I Peek
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Meller
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Friederike Twele
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Holger A Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany.
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Hammond A, Rowland T, Mills DS, Pilot M. Comparison of behavioural tendencies between “dangerous dogs” and other domestic dog breeds – Evolutionary context and practical implications. Evol Appl 2022; 15:1806-1819. [DOI: 10.1111/eva.13479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Hammond
- School of Life Sciences University of Lincoln Lincoln UK
| | - Thomas Rowland
- School of Life Sciences University of Lincoln Lincoln UK
| | | | - Małgorzata Pilot
- School of Life Sciences University of Lincoln Lincoln UK
- Museum and Institute of Zoology Polish Academy of Sciences Gdańsk Poland
- Faculty of Biology University of Gdańsk Gdańsk Poland
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Perdew I, Emke C, Johnson B, Dixit V, Song Y, Griffith EH, Watson P, Gruen ME. Evaluation of Pexion ® (imepitoin) for treatment of storm anxiety in dogs: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Vet Rec 2021; 188:e18. [PMID: 33960445 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While often grouped with other noise aversions, fearful behaviour during storms is considered more complex than noise aversion alone. The objective here was to assess the effect of imepitoin for the treatment of storm anxiety in dogs. METHODS In this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised study, eligible dogs completed a baseline then were randomised to receive either imepitoin (n = 30; 30 mg/kg BID) or placebo (n = 15) for 28 days. During storms, owners rated their dog's intensity for 16 behaviours using a Likert scale. Weekly, owners rated intensity and frequency of these behaviours. Summary scores were compared to baseline and between groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Imepitoin was significantly superior to placebo in storm logs and weekly surveys for weeks 2 and 4, and in the end-of-study survey. Mild/moderate adverse events were reported in 26 patients (24 active: two placebo); the most frequent adverse event was ataxia. Owners of dogs in the imepitoin group, compared to placebo, were significantly more likely to report that treatment reduced their dogs fear and anxiety during storms (p < 0.001) and other noise events (p < 0.001). Twice daily administration of imepitoin decreased anxiety scores in dogs with storm anxiety. Future work may evaluate optimal dosage regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Perdew
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carrie Emke
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brianna Johnson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vaidehi Dixit
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University College of Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yukun Song
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University College of Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Emily H Griffith
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University College of Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Philip Watson
- Ingelheim am Rhein, Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Margaret E Gruen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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6
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Schneider N, Potschka H, Reese S, Wielaender F, Fischer A. Imepitoin for treatment of idiopathic head tremor syndrome in dogs: A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study. J Vet Intern Med 2020; 34:2571-2581. [PMID: 33159484 PMCID: PMC7694850 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic head tremor syndrome is a paroxysmal movement disorder of unknown etiology. Spontaneous remission may occur, but owners may request treatment in severely affected dogs with continued episodes. Controlled studies of the disease are not available. Hypothesis/Objectives A drug with gamma amino butyric acid‐ergic and anxiolytic effects will decrease head tremor episodes. Animals Twenty‐four dogs with severe nonremitting head tremor and presumptive clinical diagnosis of idiopathic head tremor syndrome. Methods Prospective, blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial to compare imepitoin with placebo in dogs with frequent episodes of idiopathic head tremor. Evaluation of efficacy used the quotient T2/T1 that represented prolongation of the head tremor‐free period compared to a 3‐month baseline. A dog was considered a responder if tremors subsided or if the head tremor‐free period was 3× longer than the longest period during baseline (T2/T1 ≥ 3). Sample size calculations considered a large effect of imepitoin on T2/T1 (Cohen's d = 0.8). Results There were no responders in the placebo group (0/12). In the imepitoin group, the responder rate was 17% (2/12; P = .18) with T2/T1 3.8 and 4.0. Mean T2/T1 was 1.0 ± 1.4 in the imepitoin and 0.4 ± 0.4 in the placebo group (P = .37). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Imepitoin did not result in a significant overall benefit. Future studies should focus on treatment of subgroups with a common pathophysiology and similar comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Schneider
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sven Reese
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Andrea Fischer
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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7
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Hobbs SL, Law TH, Volk HA, Younis C, Casey RA, Packer RMA. Impact of canine epilepsy on judgement and attention biases. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17719. [PMID: 33082493 PMCID: PMC7576193 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74777-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the most common chronic neurological condition in dogs, characterised by recurrent seizure activity and associated with negative behavioural and cognitive changes. We hypothesised that IE would negatively impact putative affective state, with dogs with IE exhibiting a more pessimistic judgement bias and more negative attention bias than controls. Dogs were tested in a previously-validated spatial judgement bias task, and a novel auditory attention bias task testing attention to sounds with different valence or salience (neutral, novel pre-habituated, threatening). Sixty-eight dogs (IE = 33, Control = 35) were tested, of which n = 37 acquired the spatial discrimination and responses to judgement bias probes were tested (IE = 19, Control = 18), and n = 36 were tested for responses to sounds (IE = 20, Control = 16). Study groups did not significantly differ by age, sex, breed or neuter-status (p > 0.05). Main effects of study group were not significant in judgement bias (F1,102 = 0.20, p = 0.658) or attention bias tasks (F3,102 = 1.64, p = 0.184). In contrast with our hypotheses, there was no evidence that IE altered cognitive biases in this study population; however, dogs with IE were significantly more likely to be unable to learn the spatial discrimination task (p = 0.019), which may reflect IE-related cognitive deficits. Developing methods to test affective state without excluding cognitively impaired individuals is a future challenge for animal welfare science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Hobbs
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Tsz Hong Law
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Holger A Volk
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK.,Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Chantal Younis
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Rachel A Casey
- Dogs Trust, 17 Wakley Street, The Angel, London, EC1V 7RQ, UK
| | - Rowena M A Packer
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Hertfordshire, UK.
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8
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Overall KL. Why we need large population level studies in veterinary behavior and behavioral medicine. J Vet Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2020.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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9
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Forster B, Engel O, Erhard M, Bartels A. Short-term imepitoin treatment reduces stress level in dogs with generalized anxiety disorder. J Vet Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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10
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Mills DS, Mueller HW, McPeake K, Engel O. Development and Psychometric Validation of the Lincoln Canine Anxiety Scale. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:171. [PMID: 32318590 PMCID: PMC7146976 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Anxiety in dogs, especially in relation to certain noises, is a common issue which can lead to clinically significant problems like noise phobias. While several scales have been used to assess sound sensitivity and reactivity, clinical monitoring has tended to depend on unvalidated methods, general assessment, and/or historical comparison with owners' recall of previous episodes. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a scale to assess canine anxiety. Materials and Methods: We used the data from 226 dogs from a previously reported double blind placebo controlled study in order to determine the validity of the 16 item “Lincoln Canine Anxiety Scale.” Unidimensionality was assessed through correlation between individual item scores and total score, with internal consistency assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Factor analysis was used to determine the dimensionality of the scale. Item response theory (IRT) was used to gain insight into the value of single items to the overall scale scores. To characterize the score characteristics in an anxiety-eliciting context we analyzed the behaviors of placebo treated dogs assessed at 00:20 h, the time point of maximum noise stimulus during New Year's Eve fireworks. Sensitivity of the scale to treatment effects was determined from its performance in the wider study. Results: The majority of correlations between individual items and total score were >0.48, with Cronbach's alpha equalling 0.88, indicating good internal consistency. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed a unidimensional structure. IRT indicated that the scale could be reduced to 11 items without significantly reducing its value. The scale showed good treatment and stimulus sensitivity, with a score change of ~20 points differentiating “no/worse” effect from an “excellent” effect and a 30% difference between treatment (imepitoin) and placebo. Conclusion: In our initial validation the Lincoln Canine Anxiety Scale appears to provide a reliable method for determining anxiety and fear responses by dogs and monitoring the effects of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Mills
- Animal Behaviour Cognition and Welfare Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kevin McPeake
- Animal Behaviour Cognition and Welfare Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Odilo Engel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
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11
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Mills DS, Demontigny-Bédard I, Gruen M, Klinck MP, McPeake KJ, Barcelos AM, Hewison L, Van Haevermaet H, Denenberg S, Hauser H, Koch C, Ballantyne K, Wilson C, Mathkari CV, Pounder J, Garcia E, Darder P, Fatjó J, Levine E. Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E318. [PMID: 32085528 PMCID: PMC7071134 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We argue that there is currently an under-reporting of the ways in which pain can be associated with problem behavior, which is seriously limiting the recognition of this welfare problem. A review of the caseloads of 100 recent dog cases of several authors indicates that a conservative estimate of around a third of referred cases involve some form of painful condition, and in some instances, the figure may be nearly 80%. The relationship is often complex but always logical. Musculoskeletal but also painful gastro-intestinal and dermatological conditions are commonly recognized as significant to the animal's problem behavior. The potential importance of clinical abnormalities such as an unusual gait or unexplained behavioral signs should not be dismissed by clinicians in general practice, even when they are common within a given breed. In general, it is argued that clinicians should err on the side of caution when there is a suspicion that a patient could be in pain by carefully evaluating the patient's response to trial analgesia, even if a specific physical lesion has not been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S. Mills
- Animal Behavior, Cognition & Welfare Group, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (K.J.M.); (A.M.B.); (L.H.); (H.V.H.); (J.P.)
| | | | - Margaret Gruen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA;
| | - Mary P. Klinck
- Veterinary Behavior Consultant, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X0A6, Canada;
| | - Kevin J. McPeake
- Animal Behavior, Cognition & Welfare Group, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (K.J.M.); (A.M.B.); (L.H.); (H.V.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Ana Maria Barcelos
- Animal Behavior, Cognition & Welfare Group, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (K.J.M.); (A.M.B.); (L.H.); (H.V.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Lynn Hewison
- Animal Behavior, Cognition & Welfare Group, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (K.J.M.); (A.M.B.); (L.H.); (H.V.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Himara Van Haevermaet
- Animal Behavior, Cognition & Welfare Group, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (K.J.M.); (A.M.B.); (L.H.); (H.V.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Sagi Denenberg
- Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, Langford BS40 5DU, UK;
- North Toronto Veterinary Behavior Specialty Clinic, Thornhill, ON L3T 2K9, Canada
| | - Hagar Hauser
- Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Colleen Koch
- Animal Behavior Services, Lincoln Land Animal Clinic, Jacksonville, IL 62650, USA;
| | - Kelly Ballantyne
- Insight Animal Behavior Services, P.C., 815 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607, USA;
| | | | - Chirantana V Mathkari
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Julia Pounder
- Animal Behavior, Cognition & Welfare Group, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7DL, UK; (K.J.M.); (A.M.B.); (L.H.); (H.V.H.); (J.P.)
| | - Elena Garcia
- Ars Veterinaria Hospital. Carrer dels Cavallers, 37, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (E.G.); (P.D.); (J.F.)
| | - Patrícia Darder
- Ars Veterinaria Hospital. Carrer dels Cavallers, 37, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (E.G.); (P.D.); (J.F.)
| | - Jaume Fatjó
- Ars Veterinaria Hospital. Carrer dels Cavallers, 37, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (E.G.); (P.D.); (J.F.)
| | - Emily Levine
- Animal Behavior Clinic of New Jersey, 240 Humphrey St, Englewood, NJ 07631, USA;
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12
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Monteny J, Moons CPH. A Treatment Plan for Dogs ( Canis familiaris) That Show Impaired Social Functioning towards Their Owners. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E161. [PMID: 31963574 PMCID: PMC7023194 DOI: 10.3390/ani10010161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many domestic dogs are uncomfortable when humans perform trivial and benign actions that the animals perceive as threatening. A common technique for addressing canine emotional discomfort involves desensitization, where the intensity of a problematic stimulus is gradually increased while the dog remains relaxed. Desensitization requires a skillful owner and is complicated when actions of the owner are the stimuli to be desensitised. This paper introduces a behaviour modification programme for dogs with impaired social functioning in relation to the (inter)actions by their owners, consisting of (1) increasing owner knowledge and awareness regarding dog body language and perception of owner actions, (2) management of the daily life of the dog through general stress reduction and avoidance of stressful situations, and (3) behaviour modification through training. The latter component entails a non-threatening, predictable exercise in which the dog has control over any perceived threats, the introduction of the safety cue with subsequent desensitization, and engaging activities with the owner that the dog finds enjoyable. We also present a case series report to examine a selection of dogs with impaired social functioning, from signalment to outcome, when treated with the proposed behaviour modification and examine which adaptations were made to the plan according to individual dogs. Finally, we avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joke Monteny
- Department of Biotechnology, Vives University College, 8800 Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Christel Palmyre Henri Moons
- Ethology and Animal Welfare Research Group, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Ghent University, 9800 Merelbeke, Belgium;
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13
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Savalli C, Albuquerque N, Vasconcellos AS, Ramos D, de Mello FT, Mills DS. Assessment of emotional predisposition in dogs using PANAS (Positive and Negative Activation Scale) and associated relationships in a sample of dogs from Brazil. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18386. [PMID: 31804536 PMCID: PMC6895085 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54645-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The English version of the Positive and Negative Activation Scale (PANAS) is a useful tool for the assessment of dog temperament, helping to identify highly sensitive individuals that could be at risk of developing fears, phobias and anxiety problems, and potentially depressive states. This study evaluated the association between dogs' and owners' characteristics and dog temperament in Brazil. To accomplish this, we adapted and validated a Portuguese language version of PANAS for dogs. Data from 1744 owner-dog dyads were analysed and a two-factor structure similar to the original PANAS was revealed that met the requirements for validity and internal consistency. We found that dogs owned by women, neutered dogs and those who live in single-dog households show higher negative activation. Moreover, the older the owner, the less the negative activation for dogs that are bought. We also found that the older the dog, the less the positive activation, but this score is higher in dogs that sleep inside the house. Interestingly, mixed-breed dogs scored higher for both negative and positive emotional activation compared to purebreds. These findings alongside the particular profile of dogs in Brazil, including its large population of mixed-breed, emphasise the value of cross-cultural investigations in order to develop a full understanding of dog behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Daniel S Mills
- Animal Behaviour Cognition and Welfare Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
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14
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Engel O, Müller HW, Klee R, Francke B, Mills DS. Effectiveness of imepitoin for the control of anxiety and fear associated with noise phobia in dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2019; 33:2675-2684. [PMID: 31568622 PMCID: PMC6872611 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Noise phobia is a common behavior problem in dogs for which there are limited treatment options. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of imepitoin in comparison to placebo for the control of anxiety and fear associated with noise phobia in dogs. Animals Two hundred thirty‐eight client‐owned dogs with noise phobia were recruited in veterinary clinics. Methods This placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blinded, clinical trial used a predictable noise event as eliciting context, the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks in Germany and the Netherlands. Owners began treatment 2 days before the anticipated noise event with administration of either imepitoin 30 mg/kg body weight Q12h or placebo for 3 consecutive days. On New Year's Eve, owners noted their observations of their dog's fear and anxiety behavior at 1600, 2200, 0020, and 0100 hours and scored the overall treatment effect on the following day. Results In the 16‐item owner report of fear and anxiety signs, fear and anxiety behaviors were significantly reduced under imepitoin treatment compared to placebo (delta −6.1 scoring points; P < .0001). A significantly higher proportion of owners reported a good or excellent overall treatment effect in the imepitoin group compared to placebo (odds ratio 4.689; 95% CI, 2.79‐7.89; P < .0001). Conclusion Imepitoin effectively controls fear and anxiety associated with noise phobia in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odilo Engel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | | | - Rebecca Klee
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Bradley Francke
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Daniel Simon Mills
- Animal Behaviour Cognition and Welfare Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
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15
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Packer RMA, Hobbs SL, Blackwell EJ. Behavioral Interventions as an Adjunctive Treatment for Canine Epilepsy: A Missing Part of the Epilepsy Management Toolkit? Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:3. [PMID: 30746367 PMCID: PMC6360160 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a common, complex and often challenging neurological disorder to treat in the dog, with 20-30% of dogs resistant to conventional medical therapies, and associated with cognitive and behavioral comorbidities and early death. Behavioral interventions are an emerging area of focus in the adjunctive treatment of drug-resistant human epilepsy patients, with studies indicating positive effects of a variety of interventions including relaxation-based techniques and behavioral therapy interventions. Behavioral interventions have the potential not only to improve seizure control, but also improve behavioral comorbidities and general quality of life in this hard to treat patient group. Despite striking similarities between human and canine epilepsy patients, including the recognition of co-morbid anxiety in epilepsy patients, behavioral interventions have yet to be studied in dogs. This is compounded by several licensed psychopharmaceutical agents for dogs being contra-indicated in epilepsy patients. We present evidence from human studies of the efficacy of behavioral interventions to improve seizure control, psychiatric comorbidities and quality of life, and propose that adapting such interventions for canine patients may be a valuable addition to the epilepsy management toolkit. There is a need for multi-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials to confirm the effects of behavioral interventions on seizure frequency in veterinary medicine. In the absence of such evidence to date, the use of established behavioral medicine techniques to reduce stress and improve the mental health of these often sensitive and challenging patients is advocated, with a greater role for behaviorists in the management of epilepsy patients alongside neurologists and general practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emily J Blackwell
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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16
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Engel O, Masic A, Landsberg G, Brooks M, Mills DS, Rundfeldt C. Imepitoin Shows Benzodiazepine-Like Effects in Models of Anxiety. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1225. [PMID: 30455643 PMCID: PMC6230983 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Imepitoin is a low affinity partial agonist for the benzodiazepine binding site of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors, and is currently used as an antiepileptic in dogs. Here we tested imepitoin for anxiolytic properties. In an in vitro model, imepitoin was capable of preventing the effect of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) on locus coeruleus neurons without suppressing the basal activity of these cells, an activity which is suggestive for an anti-stress effect of imepitoin. In addition, we applied a battery of standard rodent preclinical tests for anxiety behavior including elevated plus mazes in mice and rats, light-dark-box in mice and rats, social interaction test in rats, or the Vogel conflict test in rats. In all models, the observed profile of imepitoin appeared similar to benzodiazepines and typical for anxiolytic drugs. We also observed anxiolytic activity in dogs in a provoked open field sound-induced fear model, where reactions to noises were elicited by a sound recording of thunderstorms. Imepitoin caused an increase in locomotion measured in distance traveled and an ameliorating effect on cortisol levels in response to thunderstorm noises. For comparison, dexmedetomidine caused a decrease in locomotion and had no effect on cortisol. In all animal models the doses needed for an anxiolytic effect were not associated with sedation. In rodents, there was at least a factor of 10 between anxiolytic doses and doses with mild signs of sedation. In summary, imepitoin showed similar anxiolytic activities as benzodiazepines but without producing the known adverse reactions of benzodiazepines such as sedation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odilo Engel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Daniel S. Mills
- Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Rundfeldt
- Drug Consulting Network, Coswig, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
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17
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Watson F, Rusbridge C, Packer RMA, Casey RA, Heath S, Volk HA. A review of treatment options for behavioural manifestations of clinical anxiety as a comorbidity in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. Vet J 2018; 238:1-9. [PMID: 30103909 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric comorbidities affect a large percentage of people with epilepsy and have a detrimental impact on their quality of life. Recently, behavioural comorbidities, with similar characteristics to human psychiatric diseases, have been identified in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. In particular, behaviours motivated by the fear-anxiety emotional system have been found to be associated with the occurrence of idiopathic epilepsy in both dogs receiving anti-epileptic drugs, and drug-naïve dogs. There has been little research into the relationship between epilepsy and behavioural signs, and even less into potential treatment protocols. The following article will review available literature from human medicine to describe the current state of knowledge about the bi-directional relationship between anxiety and epilepsy, draw parallels from reported anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties of anti-epileptic drugs and attempt to provide pharmaceutical and behavioural guidance for veterinary patients with epilepsy and comorbid anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Watson
- The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK; Fitzpatrick Referrals, Halfway Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 2QQ, UK.
| | - C Rusbridge
- Fitzpatrick Referrals, Halfway Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 2QQ, UK; School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Main Academic Building (VSM), Daphne Jackson Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7AL, UK
| | - R M A Packer
- The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK
| | - R A Casey
- The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK; Dogs Trust, Clarissa Baldwin House, 17 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 7RQ, UK
| | - S Heath
- Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice, 10 Rushton Drive, Upton, Chester, CH2 1RE, UK
| | - H A Volk
- The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK
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