Training and Health

Separation Anxiety Syndrome in Dogs and Cats (Part 3)

admin • 08 Aug 2023

Pharmacological therapy

Anxiolytic drugs can be used to reduce stress at the beginning of training and progressively withdrawn . Pharmacological therapy should only be used in conjunction with the training program and with a veterinarian's prescription .

Tricyclic antidepressants reduce anxiety and enhance the behavior modification program. Amitriptyline and clomipramine are used.

Benzodiazepines allow immediate control of extreme panic in some dogs. Alprazolam and clorazepate are used, administered 1 to 2 hours before the owner leaves the house.

These two classes can be used together to avoid relapses. Other drugs such as fluoxetine and phenothiazines may be used.

Additionally, Canine Tranquilizer Pheromone (DAP) can be used which appears to be as effective as the administration of clomipramine. DAP is released by the bitch's mammary glands to calm the puppies. Exposure of adult dogs to DAP released by sprays or electric diffusers has a relaxing effect.

“Treatments” to avoid

The following list of treatments should be avoided as they do not help to resolve the problem, and in some cases may even make it worse:

• Punishments: increase anxiety and make the problem worse.

• adopt another dog

• Keeping the dog in the cage without doing behavioral therapy

• Attempting to use a toy as a security without prior conditioning

Prevention of Separation Anxiety Disorder

Stress during separation is natural for all puppies . As they grow up, they learn to be separated from their owner for increasing periods of time. A “safety” toy can be introduced early in life and provided only when the dog is isolated. This toy conditioning, coupled with a routine of exercise, play and training is essential in preventing separation anxiety .

Separation Anxiety in Cats

As in dogs, in cats separation anxiety occurs when the animal is isolated from the owner. However, in most cats, separation anxiety only shows itself after long periods of isolation (eg days).

In cats, vocalization and inappropriate elimination often occur , especially in the owner's bed. Animals predisposed to this behavior are cats that are very attached to the owner and that ask for attention and vocalize when the owner is leaving the house.