COMPULSIVE, STEREOTYPIC AND DISPLACEMENT BEHAVIOURS IN DOGS AND CATS

By comparison, when an animal is interrupted or prevented from performing a highly motivated behavior (e.g. territorial aggression, fear aggression), it may be directed toward another person or animal. This is known as redirected behavior

What is a stereotypy?

Stereotypes are repetitive, relatively unchanging behavior patterns without obvious goal or function. They are usually derived from normal behaviours. Stereotypic behaviours may be performed as components of displacement behaviours or compulsive disorders (see below). They can also be due to physiological changes such as might occur with a neurological disorder (circling, head bobbing). Examples of behaviours which may become stereotyped include pacing and grooming.

What is a compulsive disorder?

When an animal is repeatedly placed in a state of conflict, displacement behaviours may begin to be manifested during any state of stress or arousal as a result of sensitization of the neural pathways controlling the behavior Eventually, the pet loses control over the initiation and termination of the behavior and it may become compulsive. The compulsive behavior may then occur in situations where the pet is minimally aroused. Compulsive behaviours are often derived from normal behavior patterns but appear to be abnormal because they are excessive, exceedingly intense, or performed out of context. Although some compulsive disorders are repetitive and may therefore be referred to as stereotypic (wool sucking, pacing, tail chasing), other compulsive disorders such as freezing or staring are not truly repetitive.

Since certain behaviours are more common in certain breeds, there may be a genetic predisposition to compulsive behaviours. For example, flank sucking (see below) is most commonly seen in Doberman Pinschers, spinning (see below) in Bull Terriers, and fly chasing in Miniature Schnauzers and King Charles Cavalier Spaniels. In cats, wool sucking is observed more frequently in Oriental breeds.

Many compulsive behaviours arise spontaneously as a response to conflict or anxiety, but behaviours may become compulsive or stereotyped because they have been conditioned. For example, the owner who gives the young pet attention when it playfully chases its tail may reinforce the performance of the behavior Owners that offer food or a toy in an effort to disrupt the behavior are also rewarding the very problem they wish to stop. Other apparently compulsive disorders are in fact forms of epilepsy.

In each case it is essential to diagnose, rule out or treat any medical condition that might contribute to the problem. Some compulsive disorders have a component of self-mutilation (e.g. acral lick dermatitis - see below, or tail biting) that will require separate medical treatment. If the problem persists after all medical problems are diagnosed, treated, or ruled out, then behavioral modification, environmental manipulation and drug therapy may also be indicated.

In dogs, compulsive behaviours include acral lick dermatitis, flank sucking, pacing, circling, incessant or rhythmic barking, fly snapping or chasing unseen objects, freezing and staring, polydypsia, sucking, licking, or chewing on objects (or owners), tonguing or licking the air and other forms of self mutilation. In cats, excessive sucking and chewing, hunting and pouncing at unseen prey, running and chasing, paw shaking, freezing, excessive localization, self-directed aggression such as tail chasing or foot chewing, over-grooming or barbering of hair and possibly feline hyperaesthesia (see below) may all be manifestations of conflict, and may become compulsive disorders in time.

How can compulsive disorders be treated?

Since some stereotypic or compulsive behaviours are initiated by underlying medical problems, a complete medical work-up is always the first step. Behaviours must be evaluated individually since not all require treatment. In fact, treatment may only be necessary if the behavior poses health risks to the animal or seriously worries the owner. For some owners, the compulsive behavior may be seen as an acceptable behavior which helps to reduce stress in their pet. For example, if flank sucking causes no physical harm, but occupies and calms the dog, then the compulsive behavior may be preferable to the use of calming drugs, or the development of other disorders (acral lick dermatitis, destructiveness, excessive localization).

Behavioral modification is most appropriate when owners can identify and predict those situations and times when compulsive behaviours are likely to arise. They can then initiate an alternative activity (before the compulsive behavior is overt) that is incompatible with the problem behavior, such as play, training, feeding, or providing a chew toy. Owners that have been rewarding the problem must remove all attention or rewards. When the behavior is exhibited in the owner's presence, attention can be withdrawn by turning or walking away, or some form of remote indirect punishment not associated with the owner could be used e.g. ultrasonic or audible alarms or pebble cans. Such devices may also allow the owner to successfully interrupt the behavior so that normal alternative behaviours can be reestablished.

Denying the pet access to the focus of its behavior has mixed results. For example, a bandage or an Elizabethan collar may allow acral lick dermatitis or feline psychogenic alopecia to heal, but once the collar is removed, most cases relapse. In many cases, restricting access will worsen the problem by increasing anxiety or arousal. Instead, the underlying cause of the anxiety or conflict should be identified, removed or the animal desensitized to the stimulus.

Drug therapy may be extremely useful for some pets with these problems just as it is in humans with obsessive-compulsive disorders. Since lowered serotonin and increased dopamine levels in the brain may be associated with some compulsive disorders, drugs that help bring about a normalization of one or both of these neurotransmitters (e.g. clomipramine, fluoxetine) may be effective in the treatment of these disorders. A short course of therapy with anti-anxiety drugs may also be useful when the pet must be exposed to a potentially stressful or anxiety producing situation (new home, dramatic change in schedule, new baby). Antihistamines may also be used to decrease anxiety and reduce the pruritus associated with some forms of self-mutilation.

What is canine acral lick dermatitis?

Acral lick dermatitis is when dogs repeatedly lick at specific sites on one or more of their limbs, often causing significant damage. Large breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Irish Setters are most commonly affected. Underlying medical abnormalities (e.g. arthritis, chip fractures, skin disorders) may initiate or contribute to the behavioral problem. The psychological condition arises when the pet is repeatedly stressed or anxious, and this leads to excessive licking. The area becomes raw and itchy which further stimulates the dog to lick and chew.

With acral lick dermatitis, treatment must be directed at both the behavior disorder and the skin trauma. Even with behavior therapy, treatment of the skin condition is essential. Medical therapy might consist of treatment with long term antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, and preventing access to the area until the lesion heals. Behavioral management and drug therapy is much the same as for other compulsive disorders (see above).

What is canine flank sucking?

Flank sucking is when the dog takes a section of flank skin into its mouth and holds the position. Since the Doberman Pinscher is most commonly affected, a hereditary component is likely. If the sucking does not cause significant lesions and does not interfere with the apparent health or welfare of the pet, flank sucking may be acceptable. When the behavior does cause physical damage or becomes so compulsive as to contribute to other behavior problems (decreased eating, aggressiveness towards owners when approached during sucking) then treatment is necessary. Behavior management and drug therapy is the same as for other compulsive disorders (see above).

What is tail chasing or spinning in dogs?

Compulsive tail chasing may be a displacement or compulsive disorder in some dogs, other causes include a form of epilepsy, physical discomfort and medical illness. Some cases such as those seen in Bull and Staffordshire terriers may exhibit a more intense spinning or whirling behavior Other concurrent behavior problems such as aggression have been reported in "spinning" Bull Terriers. In some cases, the problem may have started as an incidental or play behavior that was conditioned (rewarded) by the owner. Once underlying medical problems are treated and an epileptic disorder has been ruled out, behavior and drug therapy is usually the same as for other compulsive disorders (see above).

What is feline psychogenic alopecia?

Alopecia or hair loss can result when cats over-groom and remove fur. Over-grooming can take the form of excessive licking, or the pulling out of tufts of hair. The diagnosis of psychogenic alopecia as a compulsive disorder is reserved for those cases in which no underlying medical problem is evident. Most cats with alopecia have an underlying skin disorder such as fleas, flea bite hypersensitivity, inhalant allergies, food allergies, parasites, bacterial or mite infections or a dysfunction of the endocrine system. A 6 - 8 week food trial may often be recommended before considering the diagnosis to be purely behavioral Cats normally are fastidious groomers and as much as 30 - 50% of their time awake is spent performing some type of grooming behavior As with other compulsive disorders, feline psychogenic alopecia may begin as a result of anxiety or frustration, but might in time become compulsive.

Increasing environmental stimulation (cat activity centers, chew toys, food or catnip packed toys, kitty videos, increased interactive play) can help. The owner should keep toys out of the cat's reach until they are put out daily. They should be rotated every 1 - 3 days to provide different play items. When home the owner should provide periods of interactive play and perhaps even a short training session to keep the cat occupied and focused. Attention should never be given to the cat when the undesired behavior is exhibited. As soon as the undesirable behavior ceases, the owner should immediately engage the cat in an alternative acceptable behavior (e.g. play, chew toys). The owner should also try to identify environmental or social changes that may be contributing to anxiety and the behavior

Drug treatment might include antihistamines, anti-anxiety drugs, or antidepressants. The exact drug chosen will depend on the clinical impression of the veterinarian managing the case.

What is feline hyperaesthesia?

Feline hyperaesthesia is a poorly understood condition that has also been referred to as rippling skin syndrome, rolling skin syndrome, or twitchy skin syndrome. It may not be a true compulsive disorder. The normal response of many cats to having their back scratched can include rippling of the skin, an arched back and varying degrees of localization In hyperaesthesia, the affected cat may have a more exaggerated response to touching, rubbing or scratching of the back. This behavior may then become a stereotyped disorder as the frequency increases, the response becomes more intense and the signs begin to appear with little or no apparent stimuli. In addition to rolling skin, muscle spasms and localization, the cat may have dilated pupils, and may seem to startle, hallucinate and dash away. Some cats will defecate as they run away. There may also be some grooming or biting at the flank, tail, or back displayed along with the above behaviours.

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