- Email: [email protected]
Separation disorders in dogs and clomipramine treatment
A D V A N C E S
PAGE 3
separation anxiety syndrome. Separation anxiety is defined as behavior associated with anxiety that occurs exclusively in the owner’s absence or virtual absence. Dogs with separation anxiety often have other concurrent anxieties or phobias. A diagnosis of separation anxiety is made on the basis of a thorough behavioral history and medical evaluation to rule out medical and behavioral differential diagnoses. The diagnosis is generally based on indirect evidence, such as elimination, salivation, or destruction during owner absence. Some behavioral signs, such as freezing, pacing, panting, restlessness, trembling, or body language compatible with anxiety (e.g., ears pulled back, repeated lip licking, repeated yawning, and raised forepaw) can only be identified if a video-recorded film is done during owner absence. Two psychotropic medications, clomipramine (Clomicalm®) and more recently fluoxetine (Reconcile®), have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of canine separation anxiety. Clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant and potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, is effective in reducing stereotypic behavior in dogs and useful in the treatment of other canine behavioral disorders, including aggression, anxieties, phobias, and separation anxiety.
Objectives To monitor by video dogs with separation anxiety when left home alone while undergoing treatment with clomipramine so that objective information on exhibited behaviors can be compiled.
Procedure
SEPARATION DISORDERS IN DOGS AND CLOMIPRAMINE TREATMENT Background Undesirable behavior problems that occur during owner absence are referred to as separation anxiety, separation-related problems, isolation anxiety, separation reactions, separation-related distress, and
Twenty-three dogs, 5 months to 9 years of age, were monitored by video when left home alone for variable periods ranging from 22 to 90 minutes after owner departure. Owners were required to video record their dog on 5 occasions. Video 1 served to confirm a diagnosis of separation anxiety. Clomipramine was then prescribed to all dogs at the dosage of 1 mg/kg twice daily for the first week and then 2 mg/kg twice daily thereafter. The owners were asked to video the dogs on treatment days 7, 14, 28, and 56, but only 3 days (0, 7, and 14) were used for statistical analysis.
PAGE 4
A D V A N C E S
Results A significant beneficial effect of the dosage of 1 mg/kg every 12 hours of clomipramine was observed in the dogs, including increasing passive behavior and reducing pacing, scratching, and whining. The dosage of 2 mg/kg every 12 hours reduced vocalizations (barking and whining) and further increased time spent resting or sleeping. Some signs of separation anxiety may have improved as a consequence of management recommendations.
Author Conclusion Making a video of a dog home alone for the diagnosis of separation anxiety is very useful as well as for assessing the outcome of treatment. Beneficial effects can be seen as early as 1 week after starting clomipramine treatment.
Inclusions Eight figures, 2 tables, 27 references.
Editor Annotation Separation related disorders may occur in up to 20% of the pet dogs in the United States. Clomipramine (Clomicalm,® Novartis) is approved for use in dogs afflicted with this disorder. In this study, 23 dogs with separation anxiety received clomipramine (1 mg/kg twice daily for the first week and 2 mg/kg twice daily thereafter). In addition, the dogs received behavior modification treatments intended to make the relationship with the owner more structured, but not intended to directly desensitize and countercondition the dog to the owners departures or departure cues. Patients were significantly more likely to sleep or rest and significantly less likely to bark, whine, pant, or move around with clomipramine treatment. Interestingly, stress-related body language signs such as yawning, lip licking, and paw lifting were not significantly different with treatment. This study further supports previous studies which demonstrated that clomipramine is valuable in the treatment of separation anxiety. Evidence was provided that the effects of clomipramine may be beneficial as early as 2 weeks into treatment. Generally, medications in the tricyclic antidepressant category are regarded as taking 4 weeks to have a significant clinical effect on anxiety in dogs. However, this category of medications are also antihistamines which may account for the quick onset of action in
the subjects in this study, which was consistent with slight sedation. However, anxiety or stress-related behavioral changes, such as yawning and lip licking, did not significantly decrease. In the author’s clinical experience, clomipramine can be a valuable treatment in dogs with separation-related disorders. (LR) Cannas S, Frank D, Minero M, et al. Video analysis of dogs suffering from anxiety when left home alone and treated with clomipramine. J Vet Behav 2014;9:50-57.
PAGE 3
separation anxiety syndrome. Separation anxiety is defined as behavior associated with anxiety that occurs exclusively in the owner’s absence or virtual absence. Dogs with separation anxiety often have other concurrent anxieties or phobias. A diagnosis of separation anxiety is made on the basis of a thorough behavioral history and medical evaluation to rule out medical and behavioral differential diagnoses. The diagnosis is generally based on indirect evidence, such as elimination, salivation, or destruction during owner absence. Some behavioral signs, such as freezing, pacing, panting, restlessness, trembling, or body language compatible with anxiety (e.g., ears pulled back, repeated lip licking, repeated yawning, and raised forepaw) can only be identified if a video-recorded film is done during owner absence. Two psychotropic medications, clomipramine (Clomicalm®) and more recently fluoxetine (Reconcile®), have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of canine separation anxiety. Clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant and potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, is effective in reducing stereotypic behavior in dogs and useful in the treatment of other canine behavioral disorders, including aggression, anxieties, phobias, and separation anxiety.
Objectives To monitor by video dogs with separation anxiety when left home alone while undergoing treatment with clomipramine so that objective information on exhibited behaviors can be compiled.
Procedure
SEPARATION DISORDERS IN DOGS AND CLOMIPRAMINE TREATMENT Background Undesirable behavior problems that occur during owner absence are referred to as separation anxiety, separation-related problems, isolation anxiety, separation reactions, separation-related distress, and
Twenty-three dogs, 5 months to 9 years of age, were monitored by video when left home alone for variable periods ranging from 22 to 90 minutes after owner departure. Owners were required to video record their dog on 5 occasions. Video 1 served to confirm a diagnosis of separation anxiety. Clomipramine was then prescribed to all dogs at the dosage of 1 mg/kg twice daily for the first week and then 2 mg/kg twice daily thereafter. The owners were asked to video the dogs on treatment days 7, 14, 28, and 56, but only 3 days (0, 7, and 14) were used for statistical analysis.
PAGE 4
A D V A N C E S
Results A significant beneficial effect of the dosage of 1 mg/kg every 12 hours of clomipramine was observed in the dogs, including increasing passive behavior and reducing pacing, scratching, and whining. The dosage of 2 mg/kg every 12 hours reduced vocalizations (barking and whining) and further increased time spent resting or sleeping. Some signs of separation anxiety may have improved as a consequence of management recommendations.
Author Conclusion Making a video of a dog home alone for the diagnosis of separation anxiety is very useful as well as for assessing the outcome of treatment. Beneficial effects can be seen as early as 1 week after starting clomipramine treatment.
Inclusions Eight figures, 2 tables, 27 references.
Editor Annotation Separation related disorders may occur in up to 20% of the pet dogs in the United States. Clomipramine (Clomicalm,® Novartis) is approved for use in dogs afflicted with this disorder. In this study, 23 dogs with separation anxiety received clomipramine (1 mg/kg twice daily for the first week and 2 mg/kg twice daily thereafter). In addition, the dogs received behavior modification treatments intended to make the relationship with the owner more structured, but not intended to directly desensitize and countercondition the dog to the owners departures or departure cues. Patients were significantly more likely to sleep or rest and significantly less likely to bark, whine, pant, or move around with clomipramine treatment. Interestingly, stress-related body language signs such as yawning, lip licking, and paw lifting were not significantly different with treatment. This study further supports previous studies which demonstrated that clomipramine is valuable in the treatment of separation anxiety. Evidence was provided that the effects of clomipramine may be beneficial as early as 2 weeks into treatment. Generally, medications in the tricyclic antidepressant category are regarded as taking 4 weeks to have a significant clinical effect on anxiety in dogs. However, this category of medications are also antihistamines which may account for the quick onset of action in
the subjects in this study, which was consistent with slight sedation. However, anxiety or stress-related behavioral changes, such as yawning and lip licking, did not significantly decrease. In the author’s clinical experience, clomipramine can be a valuable treatment in dogs with separation-related disorders. (LR) Cannas S, Frank D, Minero M, et al. Video analysis of dogs suffering from anxiety when left home alone and treated with clomipramine. J Vet Behav 2014;9:50-57.