Clinical Presentation
A previously reliable adult dog begins damaging door frames and window blinds only during owner absence, with no destructive behavior when owners are home. This pattern of contextual destruction is most characteristic of what condition?
separation anxiety
A 2-year-old dog destroys furniture during thunderstorms but remains calm when left alone during quiet weather. The destruction is accompanied by trembling and hiding.
What behavioral diagnosis best explains this pattern?
A 2-year-old dog begins whining and pacing as soon as the owner picks up their keys. The owner has not yet left the house.
Which behavioral strategy should be implemented to reduce this anticipatory response?
desensitization to departure cues
List the two FDA approved medications for canine separation anxiety
Fluoxetine and clomipramine
A client asks how long treatment will take. What realistic time expectation should you communicate regarding meaningful behavioral improvement?
many months
Video monitoring reveals pacing, panting, trembling, and whining beginning within minutes of departure. These signs collectively represent activation of what emotional state?
anxiety or panic
A 10-year-old dog presents with new indoor elimination, disrupted sleep–wake cycles, and occasional disorientation. Accidents occur whether the owner is home or away.
What medical condition is more likely than separation anxiety?
canine cognitive dysfunction
A dog becomes highly aroused when the owner returns home, jumping and vocalizing intensely. The owner responds with excited greetings and attention.
What change should be recommended to prevent reinforcement of this behavior?
Ignoring the dog until calm
A 3-year-old dog with confirmed separation anxiety is started on an FDA-approved medication that increases synaptic serotonin by blocking reuptake and is given once daily.
Which medication was prescribed?
fluoxetine
An owner says, “We started medication last week and nothing has changed.” What time frame should you explain is typically required before full baseline medication effects are seen?
4-6 weeks
A dog exhibits hypersalivation, tachypnea, and gastrointestinal upset exclusively during isolation. These signs reflect stimulation of which physiologic system?
autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system
A young dog presents with hypersalivation, episodic disorientation, and destruction. Bloodwork reveals elevated bile acids, and signs occur both in the presence and absence of the owner.
What metabolic condition must be ruled out before diagnosing a behavioral disorder?
hepatic encephalopathy
A dog follows the owner constantly throughout the house and becomes distressed when doors are closed between them.
What daily training focus should be emphasized to reduce this risk factor?
encouraging independence
A dog is prescribed an FDA-approved medication for separation anxiety that is classified as a tricyclic compound and may be dosed once daily or divided twice daily.
Which medication is this?
clomipramine
T/F: Excessive human social interactions after adoption and subsequent withdrawal of social interaction when left alone may sensitize them to separation anxiety
true
In separation anxiety, clinical signs typically begin during which specific time frame relative to departure?
immediately to 30 min after departure
A dog urinates when greeting visitors with a low body posture and tucked tail but does not eliminate during owner absence.
What behavioral differential best explains this pattern?
submissive urination
A dog panics immediately upon owner departure. The clinician advises starting with absences of only a few seconds while reinforcing calm behavior, then gradually increasing duration.
What structured behavioral protocol is being described?
gradual departure training
A dog with a history of seizure activity requires treatment for separation anxiety. Which FDA-approved baseline medication should be avoided?
fluoxetine
Which behavior pattern may often be present in dogs with separation anxiety but does not have to be.
hyperattachment
A 5-year-old mixed-breed dog urinates indoors only when left alone. Urinalysis, chemistry panel, and endocrine screening are normal. The dog does not urine mark, does not urinate when greeting, and is reliable when owners are present. What feature of this case most strongly supports a behavioral cause rather than medical disease?
elimination only occurring during owner absence.
A 3-year-old dog chews objects daily, regardless of whether owners are home. There are no autonomic signs such as panting, drooling, or pacing.
What behavioral explanation is more likely than separation anxiety?
Normal exploratory or play behavior
A dog remains calm when provided with a high-value food toy that is only available during isolation.
What learning principle explains the success of this intervention?
counter conditioning
what two fast acting adjunctive medications are used for separation anxiety, and at which doses when used together.
10-20mg/kg gabapentin and 5mg/kg trazadone
An owner asks what the ultimate goal of treatment is. What duration of calm independence should you explain is ideal?
6-8 hours