Common Behavior Problems: Feline

Question 1

Ethology definition

Answer 1

Study of animal behavior

Question 2

Behavior

Answer 2

Action performed in response to stimulus

Question 3

Stimulus

Answer 3

Something that elicits a response

Question 4

T/F: Behavior causes are the #1 cause of dog/cat euthanasia in the USA

Answer 4

True, although this is mainly due to shelters

Question 5

It is important to differentiate between a behavior the owner ___ ___ vs a behavior ___ vs a ___ problem

Answer 5

1. Doesn’t like
2. Problem
3. Medical

Question 6

Health problems that can present as behavioral problems (3)
Tx environmental problems (2)

Answer 6

1. Health
   - PU/PD
   - Cognitive dysfunction
   - Painful conditions
2. Envirn
   - Prolonged confinement
   - Dirty litter boxes

Question 7

Treatment Modalities: (4)

Answer 7

1. Trainer isn’t same as behaviorist
2. Desensitization & habituation
3. Medication
4. Pheromones

Question 8

T/F: Behaviorist and trainer are the same

Answer 8

False. Behaviorist is a qualified DVM

Question 9

Prevention of behavior problems includes… (3)

Answer 9

1. Client ed
   - Good fit pet
   - Avoid animal crowding
2. Puppy training & socialization
3. Early recognition by vet team of potential problems

Question 10

Answer 10

Question 11

Answer 11

Question 12

Common cat problems (4)

Answer 12

1. Scratching furniture
2. Inappropriate elimination
3. Spraying/marking
4. Aggression

Question 13

LVT role in behavior issues? (5)

Answer 13

1. Gather Hx
2. Assist w/physical exams & behavior observation
3. Run tests ordered by DVM
4. Provide client ed directed by DVM
5. DO NOT give out “free advice”

Question 14

Scratching furniture solutions (4)

Answer 14

1. Offer objects acceptable to claw
2. Make furniture unattractive to cat
3. Soft paws (nail caps)
4. Declaw (no no no!!)

Question 15

Inappropriate elimination
Differentiate between spraying & failure to use litterbox (3)

Answer 15

1. Eval for med problems
   - PU/PD
   - FLUTD
   - Arthritis
2. Eval for box aversion
   - Poor location
   - Litter choice
   - Cleanness
3. Number of boxes needed
   - 1 per cat plus an extra

Question 16

Spraying
What is it?
What does it look like?

Answer 16

1. Normal territorial marking behavior
2. Standing posture & backs up to vertical surfaces

Question 17

Spraying
Tx (3)

Answer 17

1. Fix animal
2. Cover windows so outdoor cats can’t be seen
3. Behavior modifiers
   - Pheromones
   - Buspirone

Question 18

Aggression:
Inter-cat (2)
To people (2)

Answer 18

1. Inter-cat:
   - Separate them!
   - Gradual re-intro
2. People:
   - Over stim while petting
   - Displaced aggression