Veterinary Medicine - September 2008 - (Page 506)

Behavior myths PEER-REVIEWED the problem exists, the harder it is to treat. Clients need to be taught this principle so they do not ignore a problem until it worsens to such an extent that the bond is damaged and treatment becomes more costly, dif cult, and time-consuming. If an owner acquires an adult dog with fear- or anxiety-related problems, encourage the owner to begin an appropriate treatment program as soon as possible, preferably under the auspices of a quali ed behaviorist and using the assistance of a trainer when necessary. An awareness of the importance of genetic in uences on behavior can also be useful in helping clients choose a pet and a breeder (see boxed text “Helping clients choose well-tempered pets”). The fact is, an animal’s behavior is a result of the complex interaction between its genes and its environment. It can rarely be attributed to a single event, and even if it can be, change is still possible. Helping clients choose well-tempered pets Some behavior problems can be avoided by helping clients choose appropriate pets. Advise clients to avoid choosing the one animal in the litter that cowers in the back and doesn’t approach people. Many people feel sympathy for this individual and will choose it, thus they may choose a heartache. However, choosing the most active, assertive individual may not be best either. My advice is to look for an individual that falls between these two extremes. Encourage people who are seeking a purebred dog to be cautious about the source. I recommend choosing a breeder who breeds only one or two breeds. Sources that breed many different dog breeds are more likely to be doing so solely to make a proﬁt. I recommend a breeder who is trying to improve the breed. This effort usually requires that the breeders focus on one breed and show it so as to publicly compare it with others of the same breed. Reputable breeders should be willing to provide the names of previous buyers so your clients can ask them about the health and temperament of their dogs. Prospective buyers should also be allowed to see at least one parent of the litter they are interested in and preferably both parents. The health and temperament of the parents are probably the best predictor of the puppies’ health and temperament. Tell your clients that following these guidelines will not guarantee that they will obtain an animal free of health or behavior problems but will increase their chances of doing so. MYTH #4 unless a behavior modi cation protocol is also included.16 A good example would be a dog with a thunderstorm phobia; if thunderstorms are relatively uncommon in the area where the patient lives, the owners may be satis ed by giving an anxiolytic such as a benzodiazepine at a dose that also sedates the dog. If the owner can be home to medicate the dog whenever thunderstorms are likely, then the medication may be suf cient to suppress the signs of the phobia, help the dog feel better, and make the owner happy. Over time, however, a higher dose may be required, and the dog might eventually stop responding to the drug. But if a behavior modi cation program of desensitization combined with counterconditioning was also instituted, the dog could learn not to fear thunderstorms and eventually may not need medication. If educated about the options, many owners would rather have the possibility of a long-term change in their pets’ behavior as opposed to a lifetime of medication. The fact is, psychotropic medications are not cure-alls, but they do help relieve anxiety, may help to calm a dog, and, most important, can raise the threshold for responding to stimuli, putting the dog in a state of mind in which it can learn the new tasks that a behavior modi cation program is intended to teach it. Research shows that dogs receiving medication may respond more rapidly to a behavior modi cation program,17 probably for similar reasons. They learn more readily because they are not anxious or afraid all the time. “This new medication will treat your pet’s [insert behavior problem here].” While the development of pharmacologic agents to treat behavior problems in pets has brought much-needed attention to the frequency and seriousness of pet behavior problems, many veterinarians appear to have missed an important part of the educational message. These psychotropic medications are just one tool for treating behavior problems. Medications rarely, if ever, cure a behavior problem when used alone. Sometimes, they can suppress behavior enough to temporarily satisfy an owner’s desire for change, but the positive results are often transient MYTH #5 “Dogs that are aggressive are acting dominant.” 506 September 2008 VETERINARY MEDICINE

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - September 2008

Veterinary Medicine - September 2008 Contents Leading Off Practical Matters Idea Exchange A Challengin Case: Thymic Cyst and Recurrent Chylothorax in a Cat 10 Life-Threatening Behavior Myths CE Form Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - September 2008

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