Behaviour

Question 1

What medications primarily affect serotonin?

Answer 1

• SSRIs – Fluoxetine, Sertraline
• TCAs – Clomipramine, Amitryptilene
• SARIs – Trazodone rapid onset of action

Question 2

What meds primarily affect dopamine?

Answer 2

• MAOBIs - selegiline

Question 3

What meds primarily affect gabanergic activity?

Answer 3

• Benzodiazepines - alprazolam, diazepam, midazolam
• Imepitoin

Question 4

What are cognitive dysfunction signs?

Answer 4

• Disorientation
• Interaction - changes in social interaction, play
• Sleep - wake cycle
• House training - loss of previously learned behaviour of which house training is just one example
• Anxiety

Question 5

What can physiological stress cause in pets?

Answer 5

• Breakdown of mucosal integrity - diarrhoea
• Altered immune function
• Issues with pain + perception
• Weight management

Question 6

How can different behaviour problems manifest + present in animals coming to the practice?

Answer 6

• Acral lick dermatitis = anxiety
• Stone chewing = fractured teeth = frustration
• Coprophagy = fear (owner sees faeces)
• False pregnancy = care seeking
• Hyperthyroid cats = aggressive

Question 7

If an dog comes in and its constantly pissing everywhere how can you tell if its behavioural or due to cystitis?

Answer 7

• Treat as cystitis and should go away - if it doesn’t go away = behavioural

Question 8

What physical health problems can affect emotional health?

Answer 8

• Endocrine - hyperthyroid = restless
  -DI = excess drinking = house soiling
  -cushings/addisons = stress / behaviour change
• Neoplasia - sertoli cell = alter hormone levels
  -location = brain = affect mentation
  -pain
• Neurology - feline orofacial pain syndrome (trigeminal)
• Skin
• Mobility
• Sensory - visual, auditory

Question 9

What can be used for care behaviour?

Answer 9

• Pseudopregnancy - nesting
  -use Prolactin antagonist - cabergoline

Question 10

What drugs affect glutamate + monoaminergic neurotransmitters?

Answer 10

• Gabapentin
• Pregabalin

Question 11

What drugs have a rapid onset of action for situational use?

Answer 11

• Trazadone - SARI
• Gabapentin
• Imepitoin - noise related fear
• Micro dose of dexmedetomidine
• Benzodiazepines - amnesic benefits

Question 12

What can be used for care behaviour?

Answer 12

• Pseudopregnancy - nesting
  -use Prolactin antagonist - cabergoline