Dog Psychiatry - Separation Anxiety. Review on Veterinary Clinic

Dog Psychiatry Separation Anxiety

As soon as you put on your shoes to go for a party or shopping, does your dog show episodes of intensive barking, vocalization, uncontrolled  urination or bouts of destructive behaviour with intense hyperactivity? If this happens time and again then it is a fair guess that your dog could be suffering from separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety is one of the most pathetic and tragic behavioural disorders that has been seldom appreciated and due to this debilitating malady many owners have been forced to abandon heir dogs in shelters or send them to trainers who could invariably use harsh methods to correct this behaviour with extremely poor results, so ultimately the sad story ends, as usual, in the euthanasia of that beautiful dog, who may have shared the trials and tribulations of life with you. Would you put that dog, a member of your family to sleep?

Basically it is not the poor dogs fault as s/he loves you so much that the very fact that your are leaving him for a short period of time makes him feel so insecure that he exhibits this conduct and in extreme cases could precipitate severe anxiety, in the long run.

In the days of yore, dogs used to live in packs and now you are the part of his precious pack, therefore just may nor bear to see a member of his pack out of sight.

Separation anxiety could also manifest itself in epic proportions, after the dog's male or female partner dies. The dog may show down-in-the-dumps depression followed by intensive hyperactivity and destructive behaviour. Nearly all separation anxiety disorders are usually found in conjunction with noise phobias. In my experience, if your dog is abnormally sensitive to loud noises and if he cringes at the slightest sound, it is more likely this sensitivity is a manifestation of separation anxiety. It has been found that separation anxiety and noise phobias go hand-in-hand. In extreme cases your pet could also indulge in self-mutilation.

There is a humane approach to combat separation anxiety in your pet. If the anxiety is so debilitating that the dog fails to lead a normal life, then the time is appropriate to implement some BMT(behaviour modification therapy). Due to the fact that your pet with separation anxiety is really suffering and fells really miserable, BMT, in my mind, is the only humane option available, instead of abandoning your pet.

A word of caution regarding the therapy I am going to discuss, which has shown dramatic results and can succeed in alleviating the pain and suffering of your poor dog, is only to make you enlightened owners, so that you may discuss it with your vet. Mind you, the therapy that is about to be discussed should be done under professional supervision only. Even if a single patient is saved from sure euthanasia or abandonment, after reading this article, I would say that I have succeeded as a veterinarian.

So here goes- the dog that is to undergo BMT can be treated with either tricyclic antidepressants or serotonin uptake inhibitors. Some of the drugs that can be considered are-

1.Amitriptyline hydrochloride(1 mg/kg orally b.i.d for 30 days to start with and to be continued at the discretion of your vet.

2.Fluoxytine hydrochloride(1 mg/kg orally s.i.d for 6 to 8 weeks under veterinary supervision).

3.Clomipramine hydrochloride(1 mg/kg orally b.i.d for 12 days, then 2 mg/kg orally b.i.d for 12 days, then 3 mg/kg orally b.i.d to start with under strict professional supervision). On achieving the desired result your vet would gradually taper off the dose of the BMT drugs.

It has been observed that clomipramine hydrochloride, that is available under the trade name of Clomicalm- Novartis, showed initial alleviation in anxiety symptoms in just a week and a marked decrease in the distress and malady in about a months time.

But dear dog lovers, my word of caution persists- don't ever self medicate your dog. Explore the possibility with your vet to formulate behavioural modification therapy( BMT) with Clomicalm-Novartis only after thorough physical, physiological and psychological evaluation, that is tailor-made, specifically for your beloved pet dog.

In conjunction with the above therapy, keep your dog happy and contented. Promptly reward your dog with soft praises, cuddling or tit-bits for behaving calmly.

I am distressed that not a single respectable restaurant in Chandigarh/Panchkula caters for dog owners. Dogs are not allowed. Invariably dog owners are forced to leave behind their pet. If I had the money, I would establish a dog friendly restaurant where owners can bring their pets and have a good time, with a complimentary chew for the dog.

It would be my finest hour, professionally, even if a single dog is saved from ‘going-to-the-dogs' by abandonment or euthanasia, due to separation anxiety. DR SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN.

About the author: The author has served as  the Officer Commanding of National Training Centre for Dogs, BTC, ITBP and has been involved in the canine field for  two decades. He has a masters degree in Veterinary Surgery & Radiology from Pantnagar. He is presently serving as a Second-in-Command(Vet)(Chief Vet Officer) in the Indo Tibetan Border Police(ITBP) in one its Frontier HQ.