Changes

Although many drugs are used to treat behavioural conditions in animals there are only three psychoactive drugs specifically licensed for use in companion animals to treat behavioural problems. These are:

Although many drugs are used to treat behavioural conditions in animals, there are only three psychoactive drugs specifically licensed for use in companion animals to treat behavioural problems. These are:

*'''[[Clomipramine]]''' (licensed in the dog for treatment of separation anxiety)

*'''[[Clomipramine]]''' (licensed in the dog for treatment of separation anxiety)

*'''[[Fluoxetine]]''' (licensed in the dog in the USA for treatment of separation anxiety)

*'''[[Fluoxetine]]''' (licensed in the dog in the USA for treatment of separation anxiety)

Several other drugs are often used to treat behavioural conditions, such as propranolol, phenobarbitone, diazepam and various other common veterinary drugs, however these are not licensed for this purpose.

Several other drugs are often used to treat behavioural conditions, such as propranolol, phenobarbitone, diazepam and various other common veterinary drugs, however, these are not licensed for this purpose.

In addition many other drugs are used in behavioural medicine but most are unlicensed for use in any animal species. Examples are listed in the table below, however most uses listed are unapproved, '''care should therefore be taken with their use''':

In addition many other drugs are used in behavioural medicine but most are unlicensed for use in any animal species. Examples are listed in the table below, however, most uses listed are unapproved, '''care should therefore be taken with their use''':

'''Benzodiazepines''' are the only class of drug that consistently succeed in all models, but this may be why they have a dangerous '''disinhibitory effect on aggression'''. These drugs eliminate avoidant responses to many kinds of aversive events, increasing confidence in a number of exploratory tests. This is why benzodiazepines can cause dangerous levels of disinhibition in aggressive dogs. Benzodiazepines also inhibit memory formation by affecting NMDA (glutamate) receptors in the hippocampus, which limits their usefulness in behavioural therapy where any kind of learning is required, which is in most situations. They are useful for memory blocking if given at sub-sedative doses prior to or during a predicted traumatic event such as a thunderstorm. When used at low doses they act as mild tranquillisers, this can help moderate excitement. At medium doses they lessen anxiety, which can encourage social interaction in a constructive way <ref name="Overall">Overall, K.L., 2004. Paradigms for pharmacologic use as a treatment component in feline behavioral medicine. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 6, 29-42.</ref>.

'''Benzodiazepines''' are the only class of drug that consistently succeeds in all models, but this may be why they have a dangerous '''disinhibitory effect on aggression'''. These drugs eliminate avoidant responses to many kinds of aversive events, increasing confidence in a number of exploratory tests. This is why benzodiazepines can cause dangerous levels of disinhibition in aggressive dogs. Benzodiazepines also inhibit memory formation by affecting NMDA (glutamate) receptors in the hippocampus, which limits their usefulness in behavioural therapy where any kind of learning is required, which is in most situations. They are useful for memory blocking if given at sub-sedative doses prior to or during a predicted traumatic event such as a thunderstorm. When used at low doses, they act as mild tranquillisers, this can help moderate excitement. At medium doses they lessen anxiety, which can encourage social interaction in a constructive way <ref name="Overall">Overall, K.L., 2004. Paradigms for pharmacologic use as a treatment component in feline behavioral medicine. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 6, 29-42.</ref>.

 

Drugs such as Acepromazine (ACP), which act on dopamine receptors, and synthetic hormone analogues like megestrol acetate (Ovarid), have little or no rational use in behavioural therapy for reasons of non-specificity, and adverse effects which make their use unjustifiable.

Phenothiazines such as ACP have a very varied level of effect and duration of action and dull both normal and abnormal behaviours which is an out of date approach to behavioural therapy<ref name="Overall" />.  

Phenothiazines such as ACP have a very varied level of effect and duration of action and dull both normal and abnormal behaviours which is an out of date approach to behavioural therapy<ref name="Overall" />.  

The first port of call when using medication for behavioural problems should be drugs licensed for veterinary use. These drugs have established data about their efficacy, side effects, contraindications and toxicity which makes expected outcomes more reliable<ref>Merck Veterinary Manual (10th Edition) - [http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/behavior.html Behaviour]. 2011 The Merck Publishing Group.</ref>.

The first port of call when using medication for behavioural problems should be drugs licensed for veterinary use. These drugs have established data about their efficacy, side effects, contraindications and toxicity, which makes expected outcomes more reliable<ref>Merck Veterinary Manual (10th Edition) - [http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/behavior.html Behaviour]. 2011 The Merck Publishing Group.</ref>.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Pharmacological Approach to Problem Behaviour]]

[[Category:Pharmacological Approach to Problem Behaviour]]

[[Category:JBowen prereview]]

[[Category:JBowen reviewing]]