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Behavioral Problems, Miscellaneous 115

PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS Technician Tips SUGGESTED READING
Animals with facial edema of unknown origin Fitzgerald KT, et al: Hymenoptera stings. Clin Tech
VetBooks.ir Avoid insects and spiders and the places where presence of a stinger. AUTHOR: Scott P. Shaw, DVM, DACVECC Diseases and Disorders
Prevention
should have the face and lips examined for the
Small Anim Pract 21:194-204, 2006.
hives have been identified.
EDITOR: Benjamin M. Brainard, VMD, DACVAA,
DACVECC

Behavioral Problems, Miscellaneous

BASIC INFORMATION facilitation, the behaviors of one individual in change, as will the animal’s focus, interactions
a group stimulate others to similar behaviors. with humans and other animals, and daily
Definition time budget.
Species-typical, normal behaviors that may ASSOCIATED DISORDERS • Effective behavior modification: positive
inconvenience clients Obsessive-compulsive disorders (p. 701) behaviors are encouraged and repeated when
Dogs: Clinical Presentation they result in a pleasurable outcome. This
• Coprophagy (p. 204) repetition leads to learning at the neuro-
• Digging DISEASE FORMS/SUBTYPES chemical level, where new proteins at synapses
• Mounting/humping Bouts of behaviors that can be interrupted and are made. These more efficient neuronal
• Roaming appear to occur only opportunistically may be connections increase the likelihood that the
• Fence running/scratching normal but annoying behaviors or management- dog or cat will continue with the behavior.
Cats: related behavior problems. If the behaviors Early identification and intervention maxi-
• Scratching of furnishings cannot be easily interrupted or the animal is mizes odds of positive outcomes.
• Late-night activity constantly seeking ways to perform them, a
• Climbing on counters more serious disorder should be suspected (e.g., DIAGNOSIS
Pathologic behavior disorders (e.g., phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder).
separation anxiety) are dealt with in other chapters. Diagnostic Overview
HISTORY, CHIEF COMPLAINT Many nuisance behaviors fall within the species’
Epidemiology • Behavior that is annoying (e.g., cat walking normal behavioral repertoire. A problem exists
SPECIES, AGE, SEX on counters) or disgusting (e.g., dog rolling when their expression is undesirable to owners
Younger animals more likely to exhibit explor- in feces) to the client but not threatening and should not be considered a sign of abnormal
atory and play behaviors that may irritate or dangerous behavior. The history is diagnostic; the behav-
clients; intact males: roaming • Obtain a complete description of the behav- ior’s context determines whether the behavior
iors and the context in which they occur. is normal but inconvenient or indicates a true
GENETICS, BREED PREDISPOSITION Cell phone cameras allow videorecording disorder.
• Hounds and northern dog breeds (e.g., husky, of the patient engaging in the problematic
malamute, Samoyed) may look more readily behaviors. Differential Diagnosis
for opportunities to roam. • Context is critical for assessing whether the • If any of the signs are excessive, repetitive, and
• Highly active breeds or individuals with behaviors are species-typical ones that can performed to the exclusion of other comfort,
inadequate stimulation and exercise to satisfy be redirected or managed while still meeting social, and maintenance behaviors, an anxiety
their behavioral and cognitive needs may the animal’s needs. disorder such as obsessive-compulsive disorder
look for substitute behaviors that may be ○ For example, a cat’s scratching at an (p. 701) must be considered.
intolerable to owners. inanimate object (e.g., furniture) is normal • Late-night activity in middle-aged to older
behavior and can be redirected, but cats that is new and uncharacteristic based
RISK FACTORS scratching at humans or other cats may on the pattern of previous nocturnal behavior
Management practices fail to provide enrichment represent aggression. could be a sign of feline cognitive dysfunction
(mental and physical) or fail to establish a humane (p. 188).
rule structure that meets a pet’s physical, social, PHYSICAL EXAM FINDINGS • Hyperthyroidism should be ruled out
developmental, behavioral, and cognitive needs: Usually unremarkable whenever an adult cat’s activity level increases
• Lack of adequate cognitive stimulation uncharacteristically.
• Lengthy daily confinement for dogs (e.g., Etiology and Pathophysiology
> 8 hours per day) • Clients must understand that animals do Initial Database
• Lack of interactive toys not perform these behaviors out of spite or • CBC, serum biochemistry profile, urinalysis,
• Lack of basic training jealousy. Attention seeking is commonly ± T 4 (cats): generally unremarkable
• Inadequate exercise involved, but the key to managing these • Ingestion of feces or other nonnutritive items:
• Inadequate social exposure/interaction problems is having clients comprehend the fecal flotation, serum cobalamin level,
• Shelter pets may not have access to stimula- significance of the behaviors in terms of trypsin-like immunoreactivity (p. 317)
tion and may lack appropriate behaviors to normal dog and cat behavior.
deal with this deficit. • Most of these behaviors are normal behaviors TREATMENT
in context, intensity, and frequency, at least
CONTAGION AND ZOONOSIS at first. Treatment Overview
Social facilitation may occur in multiple-pet • If behaviors become increasingly abnormal, Provide an acceptable outlet for the unmet
households, fostering these behaviors. In social their context, intensity, and frequency will behavioral, cognitive, and species-typical needs

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