Page 2133 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Behavioral Assessment 1063

require the use of a fluoroscopy unit and SUGGESTED READING AUTHOR: Patricia L. Rose, DVM, MS, DACVR
is sufficient for most suspected mechanical O’Brien T: Esophagus. In O’Brien T, editor: Radio- EDITORS: Leah A. Cohn, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Mark S.
Thompson, DVM, DABVP
VetBooks.ir foreign body, esophageal mass, esophageal dog and cat: radiographic interpretation, clinical
abnormalities of the esophagus (e.g., esophageal
graphic diagnosis of abdominal disorders in the
signs, pathophysiology, Davis, CA, 1981, Covell
stricture). However, abnormalities of swallowing
and esophageal transit are rarely identified in
this study, and it provides no information on Park Vet Company, p 141.
the pharyngeal phase of swallowing.

Behavioral Assessment Bonus Material
Online

Difficulty level: ♦♦ facsimile machines and electronic mail, sending • A detailed history should be obtained. Let Procedures and Techniques
and receiving histories before the consultation is us use a destructive dog as an example. It is
Overview and Goal a convenient and time-saving strategy. A sample important to determine just when and where
The goals are to re-establish the owner-animal set of history forms can be found at https:// the animal is destructive. The owners usually
bond and to protect the owner and the public bform.habilis.net/canine-history/. will have attempted to deal with the problem
from injury and loss of property. • Rule out medical disorders (e.g., urinary tract themselves, and the methods they have used
infection, interstitial cystitis, ectopic ureters should be recorded. It is always important
Indications [p. 282]) for periuria (house soiling [pp. to maintain a neutral attitude when taking a
Veterinarians should ask clients at every visit 533 and 535]); metabolic, central neural, history because any criticism of the owners’
how satisfied they are with the pet. This allows or thyroid disorders; and pain-producing methods may inhibit them from volunteering
early behavioral assessment and intervention. It conditions for aggression, and treat these any additional information as the interview
is often too late to intervene after owners are appropriately if they are present. continues.
contemplating getting rid of the pet. • Clarify the nature of the environment sur- • For issues of aggression, it should be made
rounding the behavioral problem. Important clear to whom the aggression is directed: the
Contraindications environmental factors include the number owners, visitors, a specific type of person
If the dog or cat is very aggressive, re-homing of people and animals in the household and (e.g., male, female, wheelchair user), other
is not an option. If the owner is unable or the amount of space the animal has at its dogs (or specific dogs), or other animals (in
unwilling to work with a behaviorist on the disposal when the owners are home and when the home or outside the home).
issue, euthanasia may be indicated. they are gone. In cats, the location, type, and • The animal’s early history often gives a
contents of litter boxes are important. Has clue about the cause of misbehavior. For
Equipment, Anesthesia there been a change in the people or pets example, if a dog was obtained from a
• Assess-A-Hand, a child-sized doll, a life-sized in the household or their schedules? If the kennel at 6 months of age, it may never
stuffed dog presenting problem is destructive behavior, have been properly socialized to people
• Closed circuit television (camera and time- house soiling, or barking, an important step during the socialization period of 7 to 14
lapse videorecorder) is to determine whether these events occur weeks of age. If the dog was obtained as a
• Food treats, water bowl, and toys when the owners are at home or only when 3-week-old puppy or was hand raised, it
they are gone (p. 905). may be too dependent on people and not
Anticipated Time • Clarify the reaction of the owners and others properly socialized to dogs. If the dog was
An hour for cats or 2 hours for dogs; appropri- to the animal’s misbehavior. Do they punish obtained from an animal shelter, it may
ate assessment can be time-consuming. the animal (generally worsens/compounds have been placed there because of destruc-
the problem) or soothe it? Soothing efforts tive or aggressive behavior in the original
Preparation: Important may reinforce phobias (p. 787). home.
Checkpoints • Help the owner to avoid misdirected inter- • Hand-raised kittens frequently are presented
• Have a history form, preferably one for each ventions such as punishing after the fact, for aggression (p. 38) as adults and feral
species. Pictures or videos of dogs and cats rewarding the dog for aggressive behavior, or free-ranging cats may be reluctant to
in various moods are very helpful. or rewarding jumping up. remain indoors and may vocalize, claw, or
• Have the most commonly used tools, • The owner should be given a reasonable spray when confined.
such as basket muzzles, Gentle Leaders, treatment plan that does not involve a risk • Canine aggression (p. 40) is much more
ThunderShirts, Calming Caps, and Kong to the owner or the public. complicated. The victim, time, place, and
toys available, along with catalogs or websites • Behavior history forms for cats can be shorter circumstances of the aggressive episode must
of less commonly recommended products. than those for dogs because cats rarely are be known. The owner should be asked to
trained and do not require the attention that describe the dog’s posture (position of its
Possible Complications and dogs do. Because cats are much less likely ears and tail) as well as its vocalization and
Common Errors to Avoid to demonstrate their misbehavior during an mouth position. Pupillary dilation and raised
Dealing with aggressive animals is hazard- interview, a videorecording of the cat is very hackles indicate that the dog was experienc-
ous so liability is great, but do not neglect helpful. If the problem is periuria, time-lapse ing sympathetic stimulation. A temperament
owner’s problems, or a patient may be lost to videorecording can elucidate which cat in a test should be performed. A toddler-sized
euthanasia. multi-cat household is soiling and what that doll can be walked toward the dog. Although
cat’s pre-elimination and post-elimination some dogs are frightened, aggressive ones
Procedure behavior is. Many cats visit the litter box bark or even bite the doll. An artificial hand
The overall goals are to determine the exact but leave to eliminate elsewhere, indicat- (Assess-A-Hand) can be used for determining
nature of the problem and to allow appropriate ing an aversion to the litter or to the box how responsive the dog is to touching of its
intervention and prognosis when possible. With (p. 533). head, abdomen, paws, and tail. The artificial

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