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The use of drugs in behavior modification techniques
Salina Christmas; Podcast by Dr Uwe Gerecke
05 March 2008

Listen to the podcastIntroduction: Different animals, different problems
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Punishment should always be the last resort, and efforts to discipline companion animals should be made first using behavior modification techniques, says the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB).

Last month, the AVSAB issued a position statement and guidelines on the use of punishment in dealing with behavioral problems in companion animals. The move was a response to reality TV shows such as "The Dog Whisperer", fronted by celebrity trainer Cesar Millan.
 
The AVSAB acknowledges that "punishment can be effective in specific cases, but it must be used carefully due to the difficulties of performing it properly, compared to positive reinforcement methods, and also due to the potential adverse effects".
 
The use of drugs in modification behavior programs
 
According to the AVSAB, "veterinary behaviorists can use their combined understanding of pet health and behavior to determine when and if a psychotropic drug may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of a pet's behavior problem."
 
Listen to the podcastCommon behavioral problems: Behavioral problems in companion animals are acquired disorders
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In July last year, Animal Pharm published a report entitled: “Companion Animal Behavior Products”, describing the use of drugs to help veterinarians and owners modify animal behavioural problems.
 
In a podcast for Animal Pharm, Dr Uwe Gerecke, the report's author, is careful to point out that “behavioral problems in companion animals are acquired disorders, which occur as a reaction to inappropriate husbandry conditions, isolation or the deprivation of social interaction.”
 
Similarly, in its own guidelines, the AVSAB says that "the bad behavior is occurring because it has somehow been reinforced—either intentionally or unintentionally” by pet owners.
 
“Because the drugs used for this particular application focus on the central nervous system, an accurate diagnosis on the underlying behavioural problem and a comprehensive knowledge of the pharmacology and the safety of drugs chosen is crucial,” Dr Gerecke says.
 
Listen to the podcastThe products: The four major areas where drug therapy might be indicated
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What owners perceive as behavioral problems are probably not problems at all, but simply a normal behavior for the species, he maintains.
 
"Owners’ expectations have changed over the last 30 years, and have consequently changed the lifestyles of their pet animals, especially dogs and cats," Dr Gerecke explains. "Many companion animals today have little opportunity to express their normal repertoire of social reproductive and hunting behaviors. As a result of this, many owners have no idea what the normal repertoire of the respective species really is."
 
When to use drugs, and when not to use them
 
In general, there are four major areas where drug therapy might be indicated:
  • As an adjunct to behavior modification techniques
  • In drug-aided desensitization
  • If  a problem is unlikely to be corrected by behavioral modification techniques alone
  • When an underlying medical pathology is causing the problem
Listen to the podcastComplimentary and alternative therapeutics: An add-on to existing conventional treatments
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“The prescription of drugs must follow local regulations and licensing requirements,” says Dr Gerecke. “As a guide, the drugs of first choice should be those licensed for the species being treated and for the indications that the animal is being treated for. If the ideal drug is not available, the second choice to be considered should be products licensed for another animal species. The third choice are the ones licensed for use in human medicine*."
 
The podcast, which runs in a series of four short audio clips, can be accessed online using all standard Windows- and Mac-based applications. The report, which describes the different sets of behavioral problems relating to different companion animal species and lists the relevant products for use in behavioral therapy, is available to subscribers of Animal Pharm.
 
*Giving human drugs to animals can be illegal, unless prescribed, within legal boundaries, by veterinarians. Some common human drugs, such as paracetamol, can be toxic to animals. However, some active ingredients such as etodolac – a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for relieving pain caused by arthritis – are used in both human and animal drugs.

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