Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

In most cases of [[Feline Problem Behaviour|feline behaviour problems]], behavioural modification alone is enough to resolve the problem. [[Feline Fear and Stress|Anxiety, fear and ‘phobia’]] can be treated effectively using conventional methods such as desensitisation and counter-conditioning. The use of drugs for behavioural conditions should be combined with behavioural modification and not used as a sole solution for the problem.  

In most cases of [[Feline Problem Behaviour|feline behaviour problems]], environmental modification alone is enough to resolve the problem. [[Feline Fear and Stress|Anxiety, fear and stress]] can be treated effectively using conventional methods such as desensitisation and counter-conditioning, or by allowing the cat to perform avoidance behaviour.  

Any underlying medical cause for problem behaviours should be ruled out before any pharmacological intervention <ref name="Overall">Overall, K.L., 2003. Medical differentials with potential behavioural manifestations. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 33, 213–229.</ref>.

*Reducing anxiety so that the individual is less stressed, better able to make better use of its environment and interact socially.

*Reducing compulsive motivation so that the cat is able to perform a wider range of normally motivated behaviours.

*Reduce specific fear, so that the cat is less avoidant of fearful stimuli and better able to become desensitised.

Depression, anxiety, fear and phobia may be associated with genuine long-lasting neurotransmitter and synaptic changes in the CNS, but these changes are often reversible through new learning.

 

 

Depression, anxiety, fear and phobia may be associated with genuine long-term neurotransmitter and synaptic changes in the CNS, but these changes are reversible through new learning in combination with medication.

An example of a typical approach to fear using behavioural modification would be:

An example of a typical approach to fear using behavioural modification would be:

*Identify all fear provoking stimuli

*Identify all fear provoking stimuli

*Identify the threshold for the fear response (e.g. distance from target)

*Identify the threshold for the fear response (e.g. distance from target)

*Establish a gradient of stimuli (distance, appearance of person etc). This should be used to understand approach-avoidance.

*Establish a gradient of stimuli (distance, appearance of person etc). This should be used to understand approach-avoidance behaviour.

*Control the pet’s environment (prevent exposure in uncontrolled situations)

*Control the pet’s environment to reduce stress (prevent exposure in uncontrolled situations)

*Desensitisation and counter-conditioning: desensitise using gradually increasing exposure to fear-eliciting stimulus at a level below which fear is evoked, use counter-conditioning to replace fear with another incompatible emotional response to the same stimulus.  

*Desensitisation and counter-conditioning: desensitise using gradually increasing exposure to fear-eliciting stimulus at a level below which fear is evoked, use counter-conditioning to replace fear with another incompatible emotional response to the same stimulus.  

A similar approach is used for anxious behaviour:

A similar approach is used for anxious behaviour:

*Identify context and conditions of anxiety.

*Identify contexts and situations that elicit anxiety.

*Identify cues that animal uses as a predictor of such contexts/conditions (owner clothing, preparations for departure etc in the case of separation anxiety).

*Desensitise and counter-condition contexts and situations that elicit anxiety.

*Desensitise, counter-condition and reduce predictive value of cues that cause anxiety.

 

*Train some specific commands and responses that allow the animal to be instructed to relax on cue.

In such a case, an anxiolytic medication, such as an SSRI drug, can be used to facilitate desensitisation and counter-conditioning. This will reduce hyper vigilance and arousal so that the cat settles more quickly in the environment.

*Teach the animal to relax in those contexts where anxiety has occurred.

In the human behaviour field, many of these problems are successfully treated without using drugs. For example, cognitive and behavioural approaches are more successful for treating fears and phobias in man. Depression and anxiety problems are only partially resolvable using drugs.

In the human behaviour field, psychoactive medication is extensively used in combination with cognitive and behavioural approaches to treat problems relating to fear, phobia and anxiety. In the veterinary behaviour field there are only a very few drugs which have been properly tested under controlled trials. For the majority of other medications there is minimal available data and information is extrapolated from use in the field of human psychiatry. When using drugs which are not licensed for veterinary use, it is important to consider that drug metabolism and effects vary between species. <ref name="Merck">Merck Veterinary Manual - [http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/behavior.html Behaviour] (10th Edition) 2011 The Merck Publishing Group</ref>.

In the veterinary behaviour field there are only a very few drugs which have been scrupulously tested under controlled trials. For the majority of other medications there is minimal available data and information is extrapolated from use in the field of human behaviour. When using drugs which are not licensed for veterinary use, it is important to consider that drug metabolism and effects vary between species. <ref name="Merck">Merck Veterinary Manual - [http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/behavior.html Behaviour] (10th Edition) 2011 The Merck Publishing Group</ref>.

There are some severe cases when the emotional state of an animal interferes with the implementation of behaviour modification, these are the cases where the use of medication can be justified <ref>Marder, A.R.; Posage, J.M. p160, Chapter 11, Treatment of Emotional Distress and Disorders - Pharmacological Methods: Mental Health and Well-Being in Animals. 2005 Blackwell Publishing</ref>.

==Use of Drugs in Animals==

==Use of Drugs in Animals==