Term 5 Week 5 RPM

What is social behavior

Interactions with others that maintains relationships but can be the basis for issues (housing, handling, aggression, human animal bond)

What are important social signals

Visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile

Can visual signal be turned on and off? What about olfactory? What about auditory?

Visual: Yes

Olfactory: No long lasting in environment

Auditory: Yes often combo with visual

What are some commercial pheromones

Feliway, adaptil, buck jar attractants

What does submissive behavior do

Turns off aggression in the other animal if they are normal

What are factors affecting realtionships between animals?

Size

Seniority or territorial resident

Temperament

Sex (males tend to be more dominant)

High ranking dams are often associated with what

Nepotism- higher ranker offspring

Which animals are more higher ranking horned or dehorned?

Horns are higher ranking than dehorned or polled

What is HAI

Human animal interaction

When is the most important time to socialize a puppy

First 3 months of life

When can puppies start socialization classes

Early as 7-8 weeks of age but should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming.

Approximately what percentage of a Holstein dairy cow’s social behavior is due to genetic influences?

Uncertain

An owner brings you their brand new 10-week-old intact female Chihuahua for her first vaccinations and a wellness visit. Concerning socialization of puppies, which of the following is the most correct information to give this owner?

She is no more likely to become infected with parvovirus from attending a well-run puppy socialization class compared to a puppy that does not attend these classes

Which of the following is the most likely cause of aggressive behavior in dogs?

Fear

What is flooding

Repeatedly presenting stimulus at full strength, cannot let animal escape, inhumane/ineffective

What is desensitization

Gradually ↑ stimulus intensity, at level below where animal shows fear

How do you preform desensitization

ID stimulus and ID gradient (volume, distance, time)

GRADUAL ↑ intensity of stimulus

Start where doesn’t react

What is counterconditioning

Use with DS (gradual introduction), pair very mild form of stimulus with something ‘pleasurable’

Why is counter conditioning usually used with desensitization

Supplements desensitization (DS/CC)

Outcome: positive, not neutral, association

What is the difference between flooding and desensitization and which is more humane

Flooding- overwhelming with fear of stimulation with out being able to escape

Desensitization- gradual increase in stimulation intensity

Desensitization and counter conditioning is more humane and doesn’t take any longer than flooding

What is classical conditioning

Learning by association where an animal automatically links a neutral trigger (like a sound or a sight) with an involuntary emotional or physical reflex (like fear, excitement, or salivation)

What is counter conditioning

Pairing a stimulus with something that evokes positive response (ie food)

What are types of classical conditioning

Flooding

Desensitization

Counter condition

What is operant conditioning

Learning method where voluntary behavior changes based on the consequences that follow it (reinforcement and punishment useage)

What are types of operant conditioning

Positive and negative reinforcement

Positive and negative punishment

What is the difference between bribery and reward

Bribery: using a treat or such in front of the animal to get it inside

Reward: get the animal inside then give it the treat as a reward (better)

What is the difference between reinforcement and punishment

Reinforcement: increase chance a behavior occurs again (teaches the animal WHAT to do), + adding, - removing

Punishment: decreases chance a behavior occurs again (teaches the animal what NOT to do), + adding, - removing

What is the differenced between intermittent and continuous schedules

Intermittent: Slot machine (put a quarter in get a quarter out)

Continuous: “Potential” for misconception of bribery

What is shaping behavior

Successive approximation of responses

Reward gradually more “challenging” behavior

What are secondary reinforcers

Previously neutral stimuli paired with a primary reinforcer

Takes on qualities of primary reinforcer

Verbal praise, clicker, money

(ie money for humans can use to get primary reinforcers ie food)

Why does an animal ‘ignore’ a cue?

Hasn’t learned it

Different person training

Different location

Different body posture

Stressed

Environment too stimulating

Human reward <<< other “reward”

What does punishment teach

Teaches an animal what you DON’T want it to do

Not what you want it TO do

What is the roll of a twitch

Causes release of endorphins in horse by causing pain to calm them down for a procedure

Which forms of reinforcement and punishment should be avoided

Positive punishment and negative reinforcement

What is positive reinforcement

Addition of a positive stimulus to increase a chance of behavior occurring

What is negative reinforcement

Removal of stimulus to increase chance of behavior occuring

What is positive punishment

Addition of a positive stimulus to decrease chance of a behavior occuring

What is negative punishment

Removal of stimulus to decrease chance of a behavior occurring (ie turning around when a dog jumps on you)

What are problems with punishment

Inhibits learning

Lead to aggression

Difficult to execute effectively

Doesn’t teach dog what to do

Doesn’t stop the reinforcement for unwanted behavior

Increases behavior if applied inconsistently

Animal can grow used to punishment so that higher and higher levels of intensity are required

Animal can develop unintended association with the punishment

Disempowering for animal

Habit forming for punisher

What is the difference between classical vs. operant conditioning

Classical/Pavlovian: mediated through smooth muscles/glands (usually don’t have direct control over)

Operant: animal “operates” on environment, skeletal muscle

Clicker training a cat to jump onto a stool utilizes which aspect of learning theory?

Both classical and operant conditioning

You have a few extra minutes to talk with your client during their wellness visit with their healthy 3 y.o. MC Australian Shephard mix. They asked about training. Which of the following is the best recommendation for this client?

“I have a few humane trainers that I’ve already ‘vetted’ to refer you to.” 

What are high predictability and low predictability traits

High: general activity, excitability

Low: demand for affection, destructiveness, ease of housetraining

How do hand reared kittens act

More reactive, distressed, more likely to cross suckle

What is the primary socialization period

3-14/16 weeks

When the puppy is first aware of the environment and most susceptible to environmental influence

How do you properly socialize a puppy

IT is a “vx” against behavior problems, should be in clean able areas healthy with at least 1 vx, self quarantine for 10 days

When can changing relationships occur between animals

When dominant sick or old

Intro of new animals

Feedlots

What are types of aggressive behaviors

Fear-related

Territorial

Male-male, pain, idiopathic, maternal

Interspecies/predatory

Describe interspecies/predatory behaviors

Different than intraspecies

Food seeking not true aggression

What is the primary motivation for human and dog directed aggression

Fear/anxiety

What type of lip lift is more confident aggression

Vertical lip lift (horizontal more fear based)

What can cause triggers in animals

Locations, medications, comfort of pet, owner behavior, restraint

An owner brings you their 12-week-old female intact Golden Retriever for the second vaccination booster and visit. They listened to your instructions and things are going very well, except that they are struggling a little bit with housetraining. Of the following, which is the most correct recommendation for this owner to address their concern?

Play with the dog for just a little bit after eliminating and before bringing her back inside

Which of the following clinic design choices and workflow modifications best demonstrates an approach to reducing Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) for both dog and cat patients in a veterinary hospital?

Placing feline carriers on elevated surfaces in a dedicated cat waiting area

Which behavior drugs are often abused

Benzos, CNS stim and gabapentin

When do you use psychotropic meds

When behavior modification is not often effective or feasible alone

• Compulsive behaviors

• Cognitive dysfunction

• Generalized anxiety

• Separation anxiety

• Aggression with long trigger distance/high arousal

• Unable to avoid trigger

What is the role of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine psychologically

Alertness, concentration, energy

What is the role of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine AND serotonin together psychologically

Anxiety, impulse, irritability

What is the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin psychologically

Obsession and compulsions

Memory

What is the role of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine AND dopamine together psychologically

Attention

What is the role of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine AND dopamine AND serotonin psychologically

Mood cognitive function

What is the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine psychologically

Pleasure, reward, motivation/drive

What is the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin AND dopamine together psychologically

Appetite, sec, aggression

Which drugs increase serotonin? Which decrease?

Increase: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)

Decrease: Some antipsychotics ie acepromazine, ondansetron

Which drugs increase glutamate? Which decrease?

Increase: Stimulants

Decrease: Mood stabilizers, gabapentin, dissociatives

Which drugs increase norepinephrine? Which decrease?

Increase: Stimulants, MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)

Decrease: α-2 agonists, propranolol

Which drugs increase GABA? Which decrease?

Increase: benzodiazepines, phenobarbital

Decrease: Flumazenil

Which drugs increase dopamine? Which decrease?

Increase: Stimulants, MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)

Decrease: antipsychotics (acepromazine)

Which drugs increase acetylcholine? Which decrease?

Increase: stimulants (tx for congnitive disruption) acetylcholine esterase inhibitors

Decrease: atropine, TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants)

Which drugs increase histamine? Which decrease?

Increase: Opiates

Decrease: antihistamines, antipsychotics, some SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants)

What are some long acting serotonin enhancers ? How long do they take for full effect? What are it’s uses

SSRIs, TCAs, SNRIs

4-6 weeks

Anxiety/fears/phobias, impulsivity/arousability, compulsive behaviors

What should you not combine serotonin drugs with and why

DO NOT COMBINE SRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs (Anipryl,

Amitraz), Tramadol, other opioids, -azoles, higher doses of Trazodone

CAN LEAD TO SEROTONIN SYNDROME

How long do you need of washout when switching between long-acting serotonin enhancers*

Need a week or longer

Why can you NOT combine SRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs with -azoles

CYP450 competition

What are clinical signs of serotonin syndrome and the treatment for it

• Agitation

• Tachycardia

• Hyperthermia

• GI signs (vomiting, diarrhea)

• Mydriasis

• Tremors/seizures

• Coma

• Death

Treatment is supportive!

What are examples of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) used in practice

• Fluoxetine (Prozac®) (Reconcile: Licensed for dogs with separation anxiety)

• Sertraline (Zoloft®)

• Paroxetine (Paxil®)

• Also used: escitalopram, fluvoxamine

What is the MOA of SSRIs

Blocks reuptake of serotonin via changes to serotonin

transporters

Changes downstream receptors to alter response to serotonin

What are SE of SSRIs

• Inappetance

• Anxiety/agitation

• Increased aggression

• Seizures? (SSRIs are less like to cause seizures than TCAs

Which SSRI has been listed to cause aggression maybe or seizures

Fluoxetine (Reconcile)

What are examples of Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) used in practice

• Clomipramine

• Clomicalm®, CaniQuell®: Licensed for

dogs with separation anxiety

• Amitriptyline (Elavil®)

Do SSRIs of TCAs have more SE?

TCAs have more ore side effects/drug interactions than SSRIs due to more neurotransmitters affected

Don’t use TCAs unless SSRIs are not working

What is the MOA of TCAs

Blocks reuptake of 5-HT > NE > DA

What are SE of TCAs

• Sedation

• GI signs

• Increased aggression

• Blood dyscrasias

• Anticholinergic effects:

• Cardiac arrhythmias, tachycardia, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, mydriasis

• Lowers seizure threshold

What are contraindications for TCAs

• Concurrent use with TCAs, SSRIs, MAOIs, thyroid supplements (↓ serum thyroid levels), -azoles anti-fungals

• Glaucoma

• Seizures

• Cardiac arrhythmias

• Urinary/fecal retention

• Intact males (testicular hypoplasia)

What is a Serotonin Antagonist and Reuptake Inhibitors

(SARIs) used in practice

Trazodone

What is the MOA of SARIs

• Blocks 5-HT reuptake at serotonin 1A receptors

• Antagonistic at serotonin 2A /2C receptors

Are SARIs used situationally or daily

Trazodone should be used situational > > > daily

ie: situational stressors (vet visits, 4th of July, etc) especially dogs, in-hospital and post-surgical sedation/anxiolysis, anti-anxiety “bridging” drug, sleep/wake disturbances

What are SE of SARIs

• Sedation/Lethargy

• Ataxia

• Cardiac conduction disturbances (?)

• paradoxical anxiety

• Aggression (?)

What are contraindications for SARIs

• MAOIs

• Use with caution: TCAs, SSRIs

• Severe cardiac disease

• Hepatic or renal impairment

What are some examples of anticonvulsants/glutamate blockers used in practice

• Gabapentin (controlled in some states)

• Pregabalin (Schedule V controlled substance)- Bonqat®: Licensed for cats for transportation and vet visits

What is the MOA of anticonvulsants/glutamate blockers

• Glutamate blockade via voltage-sensitive calcium channels

• GABA analog; but not active at GABA receptors

What are uses for anticonvulsants/glutamate blockers

• Situational (vet visits, travel) or daily (generalized anxiety,

separation anxiety)

• Pain control?

What are SE of anticonvulsants/glutamate blockers

Ataxia and sedation

What are contraindications for anticonvulsants/glutamate blockers

• Neurontin® syrup may contain xylitol

• Wean from chronic use to avoid seizure activity

What are some alpha 2 agonists used for behavior

Clonidine

• Sileo ® (oral dexmedetomidine)- Measured-dose syringe by weight

What is the MOA of alpha 2 agonists in behavior

Reduce release of NE

What are uses for alpha 2 agonists in behavior

Situationally (clonidine, Sileo) or daily (clonidine)

What are SE of alpha 2 agonists used for behavior

• Sedation

• Dry mouth/constipation

• Collapse/slow heart rate

What are contraindications of alpha 2 agonists used for behavior

Cardiac dz

What are some examples of GABA agonists (benzodiazepines) used for behavior in practice

• All schedule IV controlled substances

• Alprazolam (Xanax®)

• Diazepam (Valium®)

• Clonazepam (Klonopin®)

• Lorazepam (Ativan®)