Can dogs have a disorder

Can Dogs Have Obsessive Compulsive Disorders?

Treating Compulsive Dog Behaviors

By Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB

Can dogs have OCD? Not really, but they do get compulsive behaviors. What is the difference? Obsessive compulsive behaviors include obsessive thoughts, which don't apply to dogs since we cant know what they are thinking. Instead, in dogs, these disorders are called compulsive disorders. Here are some other important insights into this curious dog behavior we call compulsive disorders

What are Compulsive Disorders?

Compulsive disorders (obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD) occur in dogs, although not with great frequency. These behaviors are exaggerations of normal dog behaviors. They are exhibited for longer than expected periods of time, are repeated out of context, and in situations in which they would be considered abnormal.

Common dog behaviors which can be classified as compulsive include spinning, tail chasing, fly biting, light chasing, barking, chewing, staring into space, sucking on a toy, or sucking on a part of the body.

What Causes Compulsive Disorders in Dogs?

Compulsive disorders are caused by conflict, stress and/or frustration. With each stressful event that your dog encounters, there is a release of neurotransmitters involved with the stress response. When a dog is frustrated or stressed, he may start to perform a normal behavior such as holding a toy in his mouth in order to relieve that stress. If holding the toy in his mouth actually reduces the neurotransmitters involved with the stressful event, the dog is likely to perform that behavior again when he is stressed. For some dogs, this behavior becomes ritualized and repetitive because of the intense reward that is associated reduction of the physiologic feeling of stress or frustration.

Over time, compulsive behaviors progress and get worse. Dogs often start to perform the compulsive behavior with any stressful event, not just the original inciting situation. The behavior can take over the dogs life replacing normal sleep and feeding habits. It can cause injury to the dog as the impulse to perform the particular behavior becomes stronger and stronger. Dogs that chase their tails often end up mutilating the tail requiring amputation, while dogs that suck on themselves frequently cause skin infections.

Sometimes, what appears to be a compulsive behavior is actually an attention seeking behavior. Even behaviors which start as a frustration related behaviors can be rewarded inadvertently when owners pay attention to the dog when he performs the behavior. For example, if an owner yells No!, that is still regarded by the dog as attention and can perpetuate the behavior.

If you think that your dog exhibits a behavior for your attention, try the following tests. First, videotape your dog when you are not home to see if and when the behavior occurs in your absence. Next, try walking out of the room the next time that your dog performs the behavior. If he does not perform the behavior in your absence, your attention or presence is most probably a part of the problem.

Some dog breeds are predisposed hereditarily to certain compulsive behaviors. For example, Bull Terriers and German Shepherds are commonly seen for tail chasing. Labrador Retrievers exhibit oral compulsive behaviors such as pica, whereby the dog is driven to pick up any object and eat it. Doberman Pinschers are well known for flank sucking, whereby the dog holds and sucks on the skin of the flank for long periods. The best way to know if your dog is predisposed to a certain type of behavior is to speak to your veterinarian about your breeds genetic predisposition. Then, if possible, speak to the owner of your dogs parents to learn of their behavior.

How Do You Treat Compulsive Disorders in Dogs?

The first thing to do if you think that your dog has a compulsive disorder is to go to your veterinarian for help. Because medical conditions can cause signs similar to compulsive behaviors in dogs, it is extremely important to rule out medical diseases such as neurologic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and orthopedic disorders. Your dog should receive a thorough physical examination as well as screening labwork before considering treatment for a compulsive disorder.

If your dog is completely healthy and is free of pain, he may have a compulsive disorder. Compulsive disorders are treated with medications to lower arousal and conflict as well as behavior modification to give the dog an alternate coping strategy outside of the compulsive behavior. Treatment is often prolonged and continues for the life of the dog. If your dog is diagnosed with compulsive disorder you can expect some ups and downs in treatment and in your dogs behavior. Often chronic cases are referred to a board certified veterinary behaviorist for treatment.

The best thing that you can do for your dog if you suspect a compulsive disorder or if your dog repeatedly displays any behavior, even if it seems harmless now, is to seek help from your veterinarian. When compulsive behaviors are treated early and quickly the prognosis is much better than if they have progressed to a chronic state.

Can Dogs Have Bipolar Disorder?

By Andrew Daniels

Your dog is usually happy, friendly, affectionate, and always game for a great fetch followed by a cuddle session. But then on some days, hell be withdrawn or unleash an angry bark storm for no apparent reason. Chances are, you chalk this up to him waking up on the wrong side of the dog bed. But can canines actually have bipolar disorder just like humans?

The answer: Not exactly, says Dr. Peter L. Borchelt, a board-certified animal behavior consultant based in Brooklyn, New York.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition which causes extreme shifts in a persons mood, energy, and ability to function, according to the International Bipolar Foundation. People living with a bipolar condition experience the highs of mania and the lows of depression. A dogs emotions dont fluctuate dramatically from high to low and back again, Borchelt says. Instead, their mood changes are often triggered by an external factor. For a dog, its not like they have a biochemical reason to switch between states, like [people living with bipolar disorder] do, Borchelt says. Its almost always a response to something in their environment.

For example, a dog could be friendly and affectionate around his or her family members, but then once a stranger comes onto the scene, that same dog may suddenly be afraid, aggressive, or fearful. So, its a switch in polarity, so to speak, Borchelt says, but its not comparable to the manic and depressive episodes that people with bipolar disorder experience.

Think of it like this: Say you usually have a warm, positive disposition, but youre extremely afraid of spiders. So when you see a creepy spider crawling in your room, you suddenly get scared and only return back to your normal mood once you remove the bug (or run screaming and ask someone else to handle it). Thats not a sign of bipolar disorder, Borchelt saysits just a temporary mood change caused by a certain trigger.

Although dogs have the same basic brain chemistry and structures as humans, their behavior and mental health issues likely dont manifest the same way, mainly because of language and cognitive differences, says Trish McMillan Loehr, a certified dog trainer and dog behavior consultant based in Weaverville, North Carolina. We can't yet hack into canine brains and know just what they're thinking, she says, but I suspect dogs can't ruminate over the same sorts of sad thoughts that depressed people do.

But emotional events, such as being surrendered to a shelter or the death of a friend, can cause behavioral changes in dogs that are consistent with depression, Loehr adds. A dog may stop eating, pace around, or appear nervous or subdued. Dogs have most of the same emotions as humans do, and can show behavior that looks somewhat like depression in humans, she says. And they can certainly feel anxiety.

So, what else can trigger your pooch to change moods? Plenty of things. Lets use the example of a new visitor entering the family home: If that person comes into your dogs territory and he or she is too boisterous, it might make your dog afraid or aggressive, Borchelt says.

What we see a lot is that dog will calm down when he warms up to the stranger, he continues, but when the person makes a quick move to get up, the dog will freak out and bark because they think hes going after their owner. Thats one sudden switch from friendly to defensive.

Your dog might be overly protective of his (and your) house, and so may bark when he senses a threatlike that pesky doorbell that sounds when the FedEx guy drops off a package. Or maybe its an occasional dominance issue, Borchelt says: He might not want you interrupting him while hes eating, or waking him up while hes sleeping, he says. But you can almost always find this external trigger. You cant do the same with [people living with bipolar disorder], since its something internal.

The first step is identifying that trigger, Borchelt says. Once you zero in on the cause of your pups mood swings, you have two strategies for modifying his behavior. The first is a method called desensitization.

Lets say your canine companion goes crazy every time theres a nasty thunderstorm. To nip this in the bud, you might buy a weather sound effects CD and play the thunder track at a soft volume so that you make a little sound to get your dogs attentionbut not freak him out. Then as long as your dog stays calm, you keep doing it so you gradually increase the level of sound, Borchelt says. That way you get your dog used to the thing that startles him.

The second strategy is called counter conditioning. This is where you bring in a positive stimulus to counter the negative one, Borchelt says. Does your dog hate the doorbell? Try Borchelts trick: Push the button gently so your dog hears the first ding, give him a treat to calm him down, wait several moments, thenslowly take your finger off the button so the chime finishes.Gradually repeat this so your dog learns to associate the annoying sound with something positive.

You should consult with a behaviorist and your veterinarian to determine the best course of action, but another treatment option is dog medication, Borchelt says. The drugs that often work the best for anxious dogs are SSRIs like Prozac and Zoloft, he says. Theyre inexpensive, and they work very well for certain types of behaviors. But you have to talk to your vet first. Also, keep in mind that medications arent often a solution on their ownthey work best in combination with desensitization and counter conditioning strategies.

Read more: Can Dogs Get Depressed?

Can Dogs Have ADHD? (Symptoms & Signs Of ADHD In Dogs)

Dogs can experience symptoms of a condition that resembles ADHD. A study undertaken in Finland showed that for some dogs, low levels of fatty acids in their blood - could reveal that they have what we humans know as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.

Dogs with suspected ADHD also show some of the same chemical markers as humans with ADHD.

What is ADHD?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects attention and hyperactivity. It also impacts the ability to concentrate, show self-discipline, control impulses and pay attention and leads to behaviour issues and some social awkwardness in certain situations.

The symptoms of ADHD usually improve with age, but many adults who were diagnosed with the condition at a young age continue to experience problems.

Has it been proven that dogs can have ADHD?

According to Stanley Coren, the recent consensus among researchers is that dogs, especially those who appear to be consistently out of control, might be suffering from ADHD.

This is supported by the fact that dogs have the same chemical markers as human sufferers do, such as low blood phospholipid levels.

A study by Veterinary Medicine Open Journal says:

The behavioural disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is typically associated with human children, but its clinical manifestation in dogs has recently been investigated indicating that certain gene variants (e.g., the DRD4 gene) contribute to its expression.

On balance, it would be accurate to say that dogs can suffer from a condition that is - at least - very similar to ADHD which is more commonly recognised in humans.

What is hyperkinesis and is it the same as ADHD?

Hyperkinesis in dogs is rare. If you have a dog that appears to act in what is commonly called a hyper-active way, the chances are it is NOT hyperkinesis.

However, learning to understand more about this condition can help dog owners identify the signs and in this article, we start out by looking at a case study where drugs were used as a treatment plan for hyperkinesis.

You should always seek veterinary and/or professional dog training advice if you have concerns about your dogs behaviour or any sudden changes in their personality.

Canine Hyperkinesis: A case study of drug treatment

The first controlled studies of hyperkinesis in dogs were an outgrowth of a long-term attempt to develop animal models of psychopathology.

Dogs were chosen for these studies for several reasons, primarily because there were many carefully bred animals available. This allowed an evaluation of genetic strains in certain breeds.

Also, dogs are the only domestic animal with a variety of emotional responses comparable to those seen in people: they worry about things not essential to their survival.

In studies designed to evaluate responses to stress, some dogs did not respond to Pavlovian conditioning. Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and tranquillizers were all tried, but nothing worked.

Typically such dogs would be eliminated from the study, but because the researchers were interested in the interaction of genetics and psychological environment, they were curious about dogs that appeared unwilling to be studied.

Eventually, the researcher decided they were dealing with the equivalent of hyperkinetic children. On that basis, amphetamines were given, and the tentative diagnosis proved correct.

The first model of hyperkinesis in a dog was Jackson, a Cocker-Beagle mix whose usual response to any approach was to snap, snarl, growl or, if possible, bite. Many experienced, gentle dog handlers were bitten until eventually laboratory personnel refused to approach the dog.

Jackson responded the same to other dogs. He viciously attacked any dog without hesitation, even friendly and docile animals. He refused to submit to Pavlovian conditioning and destroyed laboratory equipment in his rages.

Because depressants were not effective against Jacksons abnormally hyperactive and vicious behaviour, it was suspected that hyperkinesis may have been involved. On this assumption, the dog was given amphetamine orally.

Within 2 hours, Jacksons personality changed to complete docility. He whimpered as if he wanted to be petted. When petting was stopped, he begged for more.

He became nonviolent, even submissive, toward the same dog he had attacked earlier. Jackson appeared to be perplexed and unsure of what to do.

When placed in the Pavlovian experimental stand after medication, Jackson responded normally and learned rapidly, indicating that his previous failure was not a result of mental retardation, but rather a secondary effect of his behaviour problem.

After 6 weeks of drug-facilitated psychosocial therapy, medication could be withdrawn without the reappearance of aggression, but hyperkinesis reappeared in low-threat situations.

Aggression was apparently trained out by the drug-facilitated social interaction and conditioning experiments, indicating that what is learned under the influence of amphetamines is retained later.

After 2 more months of psycho-social therapy using amphetamines, Jacksons non-medicated hyperkinesis was also reduced.

Because he was between 1 1/2 and 2 years old at the time of the experiments, maturation could have been associated with the cure; however, 6 older hyperkinetic dogs did not outgrow their abnormal behaviour patterns.

An insight into Hyperkinesis in dogs

Hyperkinesis is a disorder characterized by excessive activity, extreme restlessness, impulsivity, and a short attention span. In humans, especially children, it is now referred to as ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder. Veterinarians continue to use the term hyperkinesis.

Hyperkinesis can affect a dogs ability to learn new behaviours. Dogs so afflicted exhibit inattention and restlessness, and are easily distracted. The syndrome seems to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors.

Most owners are not aware of the disease. The condition is quite rare in dogs, and when diagnosed by a veterinarian, medications, usually stimulants, can be prescribed to ameliorate the effects.

Unfortunately, the popular use of the term to describe normal, but overly excited dogs, has clouded the issue for both owners and veterinarians. Dogs with extreme hyperkinesis that cannot have their symptoms improved with drug therapy are often euthanized.

Hyperkinetic dogs exhibit many of the following symptoms

• Cannot be taught anything, even in obedience school
• Salivates constantly
• Always excited or nervous
• Cannot sit still, even for a minute
• Never becomes accustomed to everyday situations
• Chronically rapid heart rate

The symptoms of hyperkinesis are usually exacerbated in dogs that are stressed by being kept in conditions of close confinement or short-leash tethering.

Even with the clear presence of defining symptoms, it is difficult to treat the basic problem because there is often no clear reason, either physical or environmental, to explain the symptoms.

Some truly hyperkinetic dogs do not respond to positive reinforcement, and tranquillizing drugs seem to have no positive effect. Truly hyperkinetic dogs can be vicious and are known to bite owners and other dogs without provocation.

Dont be worried about your dog if she is simply hyperactive. This can be normal for some breeds and is typical with new puppies who display enthusiasm for everything.

Just a simple hello will have them running in circles. Some dogs are simply energetic and enjoy running, jumping, chewing, pulling, and barking. Their enthusiasm is one of the things that endear them to us.

True hyperkinetic dogs seldom have a rest period. They exhibit abnormal frantic behaviour and continue it until they drop from exhaustion.

Because the symptoms are also exhibited in simply overactive dogs, veterinarians will usually require a test trial with stimulants like amphetamines or Ritalin, which is often prescribed for children with ADD.

If your dog is simply overactive, they can be retrained and managed with persistence and obedience training. Vigorous daily exercise will also help the overactive dog to expend energy.

How a dogs blood could reveal if they have ADHD

The study formed part of a larger behavioural research project and was run by Professor Hannes Lohi's research group at the University of Helsinki and the Folkhlsan Research Centre.

The project paid specific attention to the impact and well-being of dogs in connection with some of the most common behavioural problems that dogs suffer from, such as general fearfulness, sensitivity to noise as well as hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Professor Lohi explains, "Behaviour and behavioural disorders often develop as a combination of hereditary and environmental factors, which makes studying them challenging".

"Metabolomics or the study of the metabolism provides us with new clues on the biological issues underpinning behavioural disorders while promoting genetic research."

He added, "At the moment, metabolomics research in dogs is rare. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine new approaches and attain information on any metabolic abnormalities associated with hyperactivity in dogs."

ADHD reveals similar results in both dogs & human

The project worked with German Shepherds and discovered that the blood metabolites in hyperactive and normally behaved German Shepherds revealed a significant link.

Specifically, those who were hyperactive and impulsive had low levels of fatty acids (lower blood phospholipid levels) in the blood.

Jenni Puurunen, a doctoral student says, We knew to expect this discovery from research on the human side, as several studies have recorded lower blood lipid and fatty acid levels in ADHD patients than in control groups."

She continued, "However, the causal relationship is not clear and requires further studies. Our discovery supports the existing belief that human and canine diseases are similar, which suggests dogs can serve as excellent models for human illnesses."

Could a dogs age impact their behaviour?

According to Jenni, their study revealed that it has little impact.

She says, It is significant that a dogs age, sex, or fasting had little impact on the link between behaviour and metabolites. We also controlled for dietary changes by feeding all dogs the same food for two weeks before testing.

Could intestinal health affect a dogs behaviour?

A piece of important information revealed in the study was the correlation between hyperactivity and tryptophan metabolites.

Tryptophan metabolites are solely produced when intestinal bacteria process the tryptophan from the food.

This information was confirmed by the differences in the bacteria found in the gut of hyperactive versus normally behaved dogs.

This information finds a very significant link between the brain and the intestines in dogs.

A globally unique study of dog behaviour is underway as part of a more detailed canine behaviour project.

Important note about ADHD and dogs

Some people might make the case that all dogs have symptoms that look like ADHD just because a dog displays certain behaviours that are associated with ADHD.

Remember, it might just be a case of a dog being a dog.