TABLE 2: DEFINITIONS & EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES FOR REPETITIVE BEHAVIOR 2 Similarly, use of the term compulsive to describe any repetitive behavior is discouraged to avoid unintentionally dissuading investigation of other physical or psychological causes of abnormal repetitive behavior. It is unknown if dogs have recurrent, distressing thoughts (ie, obsessions) that may compel performance of repetitive behavior, so use of the term obsessive as it applies to dogs with CD has fallen out of favor. 14 Over time, the behavior may become ingrained and uncoupled from the original trigger. Pet owners may also perpetuate the behavior through inadvertent reinforcement. 14 Situations that incite anxiety, frustration, and/or conflict may cause engagement in displacement or redirected behavior ( Table 2), which can reduce anxiety and provide a coping mechanism that may result in recurring and repetitive behavior. Learning can affect development and continuation of CD. 6 Dogs with CD treated with serotonergic and dopaminergic drugs (eg, clomipramine, fluoxetine) have shown improved clinical signs, 7-13 which supports the role neurotransmitters play in dogs with CD. 6 These brain regions are associated with serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in a study, dogs with CD had lower serotonin-receptor binding as compared with dogs in an unaffected control group. Neuroimaging studies of dogs with CD have demonstrated altered function in the subcortical region of the brain, including the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical pathways implicated in human obsessive-compulsive disorder. †Seizures have been specifically implicated as a cause of tail chasing in bull terriers. *Pain and neurologic disorders (eg, seizures) are physical differentials for all repetitive behaviors. Hind checking: neurologic disease, urolithsĪcral lick dermatitis: previous injury, foreign body, osteoarthritis, dermatologic disease Repetitive stress injuries from spinal flexionįlank sucking: neurologic disease, GI disease Muscular, orthopedic, or neurologic repetitive stress injuriesĬervical pain secondary to chronic cervical hyperflexion or extension Possible Concurrent Physical Examination Findings 5 TABLE 1: CHARACTERISTICS OF CANINE COMPULSIVE DISORDER 2 2,4 Geneticists have identified an allele in Doberman pinschers with flank sucking that occurs more frequently in affected dogs. Manifestation of CD may be partly dictated by genetics due to breed predilections ( Table 1), and CD incidence may be higher in specific pedigrees. The pathophysiology of canine CD is likely multifactorial, considering the range of clinical presentations. Approximately 2% to 5% of patients seen by veterinary behaviorists are diagnosed with CD 3 however, CD may be underdiagnosed in the general population because owners may not seek help until the behavior is severe.Ĭlinical characteristics of CD can include a diverse group of behaviors ( Table 1) and can be classified as locomotor, visual or hallucinatory, oral, or self-directed. Intensity and/or frequency of the behavior typically disrupts daily functions. CD behavior may be self-reinforcing and difficult to interrupt without physical intervention, which may cause physical injury.
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