VTNE Top Topics:
Small animal nursing overview part 1:
Behavior

For my own personal use only:
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aggressive dog
Understanding dog and cat behavior can help prevent bite injuries
  • Understand cat and dog behavior to optimize your success in the small animal clinic.
  • Body language is the way dogs and cats communicate with us.

Small animal behavior

  • Unwanted behaviors are a major cause of pet relinquishment
  • In the clinic:
    • Perceived stress of visit may prevent owners from seeking care
    • Understand behaviors to diminish patient fear and stress, improve safety, and ease client concerns
    • Body language is the best way to assess pet behavior: It’s their way of talking

 

Fear Free™ practice

  • Goal: Reduce patient stress and anxiety in the clinic
  • Fear Anxiety and Stress (FAS) score: Objective measure of stress level 
  • Balance Dx/Tx needs against FAS
  • FAS:
    • See ↑ aggression
    • Prevents necessary Dx/Tx
    • Causes ↑ HR, RR, body temp, blood pressure, blood glucose; alters CBC parameters
    • Can delay healing (cortisol)
    • Treats help ↓ FAS and build trust
    • Continuous contact w/ pet can ↓ FAS w/ handling
  • Examine most sensitive areas last:
    • Head/face
    • Paws
    • Deep palpation of abdomen
  • Document response in medical record for future visits
dog treat
Treats are an excellent way to decrease stress and build trust with your patient

Canine behavior

  • Unwanted behaviors are a major cause of pet relinquishment
  • Appropriate puppy socialization can help prevent behavior problems in later life
  • Puppy socialization period is @ 3 - 16 w
    • Brain is most elastic and receptive to learning about:
      • Social partners and interactions
      • Threat response
      • Appropriate response to environment
    • Poor socialization can ↑ risk of unwanted fear-based behaviors
    • Interpret body language to help prevent bite injuries and improve patient compliance
  • What are signs of FAS?
    • Pupils dilated in normal light
    • Tail tense, tucked between legs
    • Panting, lip licking, yawning
    • Holding ears back or down
    • Soliciting attention from owner/vet personnel
    • Fixed gaze away from or towards threat: Moderate to severe FAS
  • What are signs of severe FAS?
    • Defensive aggression
      • Stiff/frozen
      • Lunging, growling, snapping, biting
      • Threatening posture
      • Hiding
      • Avoidance
    • If a dog shows these signs you need immediate help
      • Stop intervention/handling
      • Speak to DVM about medications/next steps
      • High risk of bite incident
playing puppies
Puppy socialization is essential for normal development
scared dog
Failure to identify FAS and intervene can result in injury to the patient and personnel

Unwanted canine behaviors

  • Unwanted elimination
    • Housetraining
    • Have DVM evaluate any previously house-trained dog w/ onset of inappropriate elimination
      • May indicate underlying health problem
  • Destructive behavior: Chewing, digging/scratching
    • Introduce acceptable items for chewing - e.g., toys 
    • May indicate separation anxiety or other fear-based behavior
  • Aggression
    • When it is occurring?
      • Fear-induced
      • Play-related 
      • Redirected
  • Decrease fear-based aggression in clinic w/ positive reinforcement
    • Reward w/ treats after each step of exam/procedure
  • Understand body language and stop when pet exhibits FAS
Boston terrier
Recommend appropriate chew toys to help prevent destructive chewing behavior at home

Feline behavior

  • In cats, inappropriate elimination is the most common undesirable behavior 
  • Patient compliance does not always indicate a relaxed state; cats with high stress may freeze
  • Kitten socialization period is @ 2 - 7 wks
  • Normal cat behavior: Tail up, +/- slight curl at tip, ears erect and forward, exploring environment, interacting w/ vet personnel
  • Signs of FAS:
    • Refusal to get out of carrier
    • Tail down and tight to body
    • Dilated pupils
    • Ears to side or slightly back
    • Tail tip twitching
  • What are signs of severe FAS?
    • Learned helplessness 
      • Freezing, hiding, escaping
    • Hunched posture
    • Defensive aggression
      • Hissing/growling, vocalization
      • Showing teeth
      • Striking w/ front paws
      • Biting
scared cat
Cat showing moderate FAS, note the dilated pupils and ears positioned to the sides of the head

Feline behavior in the clinic

cat in carrier
Attempting to remove this cat from the carrier is likely to result in a bite injury

Unwanted feline behaviors

  • Indoor cats have unique behavioral needs
    • Unwanted behaviors can result if not met
  • Unwanted elimination
    • Most common undesirable behavior
    • DVM assessment if a change in habits
      • Evaluate for underlying health problem
    • Cats have litter type/box preferences
  • Destructive behavior
    • Scratching
cat playing
Redirect unwanted scratching behavior to scratching posts and other purpose-designed surfaces

Images courtesy of: Graeme Main, Ayla Verschueren, Ayla Verschueren, Ellen Levy Finch, Sendai Blog, Anya Prygunova, frankieleon, Willian Justen de Vasconcellos.


 

Canine