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40 Aggression, Dog

• Antianxiety medication may also be needed, Drug Interactions • Clients should concentrate on understanding
as above. TCAs and SSRIs should not be used together the individual cat’s needs rather than incor-
VetBooks.ir • Identify and then avoid all situations that selegiline (p. 1281). Prevention
rectly labeling the cat’s behaviors as spiteful
or with monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as
Aggression toward human visitors
or vindictive.
may be provocative (e.g., approaching,
Possible Complications
petting). It is safest to confine the cat to
another room when visitors are present. • Increased anxiety or arousal with some Aggressive or anxious cats should not be bred.
○ If the owners wish to desensitize and medications initially; benzodiazepines can Kittens should be socialized.
counter-condition the cat to novel people, disinhibit aggression
they can do so as above. When the cat is • Diazepam has been associated with hepato- Technician Tips
able to respond to the owners in all situ- toxicosis; most affected cats were overweight. Educate owners of kittens regarding normal
ations, visitors can be incorporated into Diazepam has a long t 1 in cats. feline behavior and provide information about
this behavior modification plan if they 2 cat social environments as part of the first kitten
will follow the instructions (e.g., treat the Recommended Monitoring visit. Kitten classes should be encouraged.
cat when it responds to the verbal/visual Follow-up examination 4-6 weeks after initial
cue to sit or come). consultation to monitor progress with behavior Client Education
○ Clicker or target training may facilitate modification/management strategies • Attendance at kitten classes can help owners
behavior modification without touching understand normal feline behavior, and it
the cat. PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME allows cats the opportunity to socialize.
• Owners should be cautioned about the risks
Behavior/Exercise The behavior can usually be successfully of abruptly stopping medications.
• Provision of physical and mental stimulation managed with owner education and compliance.
is important. For redirecting aggressive SUGGESTED READINGS
behaviors from people, toys suspended from PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS Ahola MK, et al: Early weaning increases aggression
poles such as cat dancers are useful. and stereotypic behaviour in cats. Nature Sci
• For indoor cats, provision of vertical (three- Comments Reports 7:10412, 2017
dimensional) space and places to hide (e.g., • Avoid punishment of aggression. It will AUTHOR: Kersti Seksel, BVSc (Hons), MRCVS. MA
boxes) can be useful. All climbing spaces worsen aggression and underlying anxiety (Hons), FANZCVS, DACVB, DECAWBM
should have at least two entry/exit points and increase risk of injury. EDITOR: Karen L. Overall, VMD, MA, PhD, DACVB
so one cat cannot block escape routes. • Clients should videotape the environment
• If urine spraying is part of the presenting and the cats; this is a good educational tool
complaint, appropriate management mea- for clients to understand feline body language
sures should be undertaken (p. 533). and space use.

Aggression, Dog Client Education
Sheet

BASIC INFORMATION springer spaniels (bench), Dalmatians; in the behavior, and this approach must not
United Kingdom, English cocker spaniels, be used because it threatens dogs and
Definition golden retrievers, and others increases risk.
An appropriate or inappropriate threat or • Fear aggression affects any breed, but often • Puppy mill/commercially bred dogs may be
challenge that is ultimately resolved by combat border collies, German shepherds more at risk for some forms of aggression,
or deference • No one breed is at greater risk for bites to including food-related aggression.
humans. Breed-specific legislation (BSL)
Synonyms has consistently failed to decrease dog bites; CONTAGION AND ZOONOSIS
Aggression should not be equated with dog more effective approaches involve identifying/ • Risk of physical trauma and of zoonosis
bites because a bite/puncture may result from treating problem dogs and educating children/ (rabies, others) with bite wounds
normal grasping behavior using the mouth, adults about normal dog behavior and • Bite wound characteristics reflect human
and most pathologic/problematic aggression signaling and supervising children when in response to the bite and movement, not the
does not include biting. the presence of a dog. bite alone.
○ Boys 5-9 years old: highest risk for bites;
Epidemiology RISK FACTORS dog is usually known to them
SPECIES, AGE, SEX • Genetic liability (largest risk factor) • Physical punishment (by humans) in response
• Any age and either sex • Dogs that are chained are overrepresented to canine aggression will almost always
• Pathological aggression often appears by end in dog bite statistics. increase the risk to humans and worsen the
of sexual maturity (6-9 months) through • Dog parks (dogs unknown to each other; condition.
social maturity (12-36 months) clients may erroneously see interaction as a
• Impulse-control (formerly dominance, form of treatment for fearful or aggressive ASSOCIATED DISORDERS
sometimes conflict) aggression: 90% male; dogs) • Coexistence of more than one form of
in females, often very young (8 weeks old). • Misconceptions may worsen the problem. aggression or other behavioral disorders is
Clients are often mistakenly advised to common.
GENETICS, BREED PREDISPOSITION “dominate” the dog or to be “alpha.” • Obtaining an accurate diagnosis of type
• Impulse-control aggression affects any breed, These terms and their usage are based in of aggression is essential to help identify
but often in the United States, English profound misunderstandings of canine triggers.

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