Pharmacology - Behaviour Modifying Drugs & Neoplastic

Behavior-modifying drugs

Used to reduce Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) in veterinary patients.

Antineoplastic drugs

Chemotherapy drugs that can extend the lives of animals with cancer.

Fear, Anxiety, Stress (FAS)

Negative emotional states that behavior-modifying drugs aim to alleviate.

Self-harm in animals

Behaviors like escape attempts and compulsive licking due to FAS.

Physiological effects of FAS

Changes in cortisol, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine levels.

Pre-Veterinary Pharmaceuticals (PVPs)

Medications given before appointments to reduce stress.

Gabapentin

Used for PVP, anticonvulsant effects, and pain control.

Benzodiazepines

Used to treat anxiety, fear, aggression, and urine spraying.

Adverse effects of benzodiazepines

Sedation and possible hepatotoxicity in cats.

L-Theanine

A supplement that increases GABA, aiding in anxiety reduction.

Melatonin

Used in chill protocols and for separation anxiety in dogs.

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat anxiety and compulsive disorders.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine to treat anxiety.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Medications that selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake.

Serotonin Syndrome

Condition caused by too much serotonin, leading to severe symptoms.

Alpha-2 Agonists

Drugs like Dexmedetomidine that help manage noise phobias in pets.

Pheromones

Mild calming agents that are species-specific.

Cancer treatment options

Include surgery, chemotherapy, or a combination of both.

Doubling time in tumors

Larger tumors have longer doubling times and are less responsive to drugs.

Adverse effects of chemotherapy

Can include bone marrow suppression, alopecia, and gastrointestinal issues.

Chemotherapy safety precautions

Involves using PPE and proper handling protocols to avoid exposure.

Pain control in cancer patients

Includes NSAIDs, opioids, steroids, and local anesthetics.

CHOP Protocol

A common chemotherapy regimen involving Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisone.

Client instructions post-chemotherapy

Clients should wear gloves while cleaning excreta for 7 days post-treatment.

NSAIDs + corticosteroids

Combination that may lead to gastrointestinal ulceration.

Serotonin syndrome risk

Risk increases when combining SSRIs, SARIs, MAOIs, TCAs, and tramadol.

Gabapentin caution

May cause sedation and ataxia, and caution advised in renal insufficiency.

Trazodone caution

Risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonergic drugs.

Medications for separation anxiety

Can include Trazodone, Clonidine, and Gabapentin.

Dosage consideration for chemotherapy

Typically based on the body surface area of the animal.

Pain assessment in cancer therapy

Assessing appetite, activity, and vital signs for effective pain control.