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Licking and Barbering Behavioral Disorders 589.e3

○ Gabapentin 10-20 mg/kg PO q 2-12h to treatment should be monitored every 4-6 Technician Tips
weeks.
(dogs); 3-5 mg/kg PO q 12h to start for • If long-term medication is needed, repeat Educate clients about normal versus abnormal
VetBooks.ir • Medication may be necessary for a prolonged • Regular follow-up with owners with respect Screen every patient at each visit, and educate Diseases and Disorders
cats; may help patients with concomitant
grooming behaviors and early intervention.
blood work is recommended.
secondary pain and some anxieties
clients about at-risk breeds.
period (up to 6-12 months), and for some
to environmental and behavior modification
animals, treatment may be lifelong. • Diary to monitor frequency, intensity, dura- Client Education
• When long-term control of signs is successful, tion, and form of episodes. Clients should keep a log of the occurrence/
gradual withdrawal of medication may be • Videorecord patients when not supervised duration of these behaviors to assist in
attempted under veterinary supervision. and when exhibiting behavior to learn monitoring and managing triggers. Lifelong
whether it is changing with context and time. management and medication may be necessary.
Behavior/Exercise
• Verbal or physical punishment increases PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME SUGGESTED READING
anxiety while impeding learning of non- Landsberg G, et al: Behavior problems of the dog
anxious behavior. Prognosis depends on owner commitment, and cat, ed 3, St. Louis, 2013, Saunders.
• Increasing physical and mental exercise may success in determining underlying cause, and
help decrease stress. Environmental enrich- management of the underlying problem. Early ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED
ment may provide additional stimulation, treatment leads to the best prognosis. READINGS
but care should be taken with very anxious Borns-Weil S: A case-control study of compulsive
animals to make changes gradually and PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS wool-sucking in Siamese and Birman cats (n =
monitor with video. 204). J Vet Behav Clin Appl Res 10:543-548, 2015.
Comments Overall KL: Manual of clinical behavioral medicine
Drug Interactions Avoid punishing the behavior; doing so may for dogs and cats, St. Louis, 2013, Mosby.
TCAs and SSRIs should not be used concur- increase the anxiety and arousal and exacerbate Overall KL, et al: Clinical features and outcome in
rently with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibi- the undesirable behavior. Provide a safe, secure, dogs and cats with obsessive compulsive disorder:
tors such as those in medications or some flea stable environment to minimize anxiety. 126 cases (1989-2000). J Am Vet Med Assoc
and tick collars. 221:1445-1452, 2002.
Prevention Seksel K, et al: The use of clomipramine in the treat-
Possible Complications Early intervention and redirection of con- ment of anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive
disorders in dogs. Aust Vet J 79:252-256, 2001.
• May progress or become comorbid with cerning behaviors may be useful for cats and
other anxiety-related disorders such as panic dogs without a genetic predisposition for the AUTHOR: Kersti Seksel, BVSc, MA, FACVSc, DACVBM,
disorders. Referral to a veterinary behavior development of such conditions. Research has DECAWBM
specialist should be considered. shown that even in cats with familial OCD, the EDITOR: Karen L. Overall, VMD, MA, PhD, DACVB
• Diazepam can cause hepatotoxicitiy in cats. specific behaviors involved do not substantially
manifest until some social stressor (e.g., moving
Recommended Monitoring house) is involved. Clients who anticipate such
• Serum biochemistry profile q 6-12 months or stressors should be given guidance on prevention
as needed based on clinical signs. Response strategies.

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