Small Animal Behavioral Triage

A Guide for Practitioners

Kenneth M. Martin, DVMab∗, vbcdvm@yahoo.com, Debbie Martin, RVT, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior)abc and Julie K. Shaw, RVT, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior)bc,     aVeterinary Behavior Consultations, LLC, 580 Alta Vista Road, Spicewood, TX 78669, USA; bTEAM Education in Animal Behavior, LLC, 580 Alta Vista Road, Spicewood, TX, 78669, USA; cKaren Pryor Academy, 49 River Street, Suite 3, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA

∗Corresponding author.

Behavioral concerns are the principal cause of a weakened human-animal bond and pet relinquishment. Triaging behavioral concerns and providing early intervention may be the difference between a patient remaining in its current home or relinquishment. Prevention and intervention behavior services using a team approach may also improve pet retention through client education and appropriate assistance. Identifying and integrating qualified animal behavior professionals to assist with the hospital’s behavior team ensures appropriate support is provided to the client and patient.

Keywords

Human-animal bond

Behavior wellness

Behavior triage

Behavior professionals

Key points

• Developing, maintaining, and enhancing the human-animal bond through prevention and intervention behavior services may help to prevent relinquishment of pets and consequent client/patient attrition.

• Because early intervention generally improves the case outcome, early detection through routine behavioral screening is imperative.

• Being able to triage safety and prognostic factors when faced with a behavioral crisis can minimize risk to veterinary staff and safeguard the pet and the public.

• It is vital to know how to evaluate a behavior professional’s qualifications, because when referring clients to behavioral professionals, the methodology and philosophy used will directly reflect on you and your hospital.

• A team approach to addressing animal behavior provides a comprehensive approach that is better able to meet the needs of the client and patient.

Introduction

The Human-Animal Bond

The human-animal bond is the dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship between people and animals. This relationship includes attitudes, emotions, and the profound physical and psychological interactions between people, animals, and the environment.1–3 In the United States many pets are viewed as members of the family, and are obtained with the intent of being a human companion rather than having a utilitarian purpose.

Pet Relinquishment

Although data vary widely on specific numbers, millions of dogs and cats are relinquished to shelters annually. Species and/or breed-specific genetic predispositions, though normal, are not always adaptable to the urban domestic environment and may lead to the development of undesirable behaviors. Similarly, negative experiences or the lack of positive experiences during sensitive periods of development can also contribute to the development of undesirable behaviors. A weakening of the human-animal bond occurs when owners perceive their pets’ behavior as undesirable (Fig. 1).

Problem behaviors can also negatively affect the animal’s welfare. Behavior problems are cited as the primary reason for relinquishment of dogs (40%) and the second most common cause for cat relinquishment (28%).4 Findings associated with relinquishment to shelters included the following4,5:

• Inappropriate elimination was the most common behavioral reason cited for relinquishment in dogs and cats.

• Aggression (toward people and/or other animals) was the second most common behavioral reason for relinquishment in cats and dogs.

• Other behavioral reasons for relinquishment were destructiveness, disobedience, being too active, escaping (dogs), not being friendly (cats), and demanding too much attention (cats).

The general practitioner can play a pivotal role in helping to decrease relinquishment resulting from behavioral problems. Recognizing the common issues that contribute to the demise of the human-animal bond and relinquishment allows the practitioner to implement a preventive behavioral plan of care for his or her clients. Through education, preventive behavioral advice, and early identification of potential behavioral concerns, the veterinary staff can maintain and enhance the human-animal bond, thus decreasing the rates of relinquishment and euthanasia.

Triaging behavioral concerns

Behavior problems rarely occur overnight; behavior is influenced by learning, and problems often develop over time. However, acute changes in behavior, especially in an animal that is middle aged or older, are suggestive of medical disease. A physical examination and medical workup to rule out contributing medical factors are an essential component of baseline screening for each behavior case.

Predictors of future behavior problems often include fear, anxiety, and/or aggression in the young or adolescent dog or cat.6–9 A gradual escalation of a behavior problem, such as initially avoiding and then later growling at visitors in the home, can become a crisis when an incident occurs, such as when the dog bites a house guest. When faced with a behavioral crisis, it is important to be able to triage the situation and provide immediate relief/safety until further assistance can be provided (Fig. 2).

Signs of urgent behavior problems:

• There is significant damage to the human-animal bond; the owner is at his or her “wits’ end” or is afraid of the pet. Regardless of the severity of the behavior, the owners’ inability to tolerate the pet’s behavior indicates that the pet may be close to being relinquished if immediate assistance is not provided.

• There is a risk of injury to the pet, other animals, or people. This scenario would include a dog suffering from severe separation anxiety who escapes the home by breaking out of a kennel and jumping through windows, or a cat that is unpredictably aggressive toward the owner and causing physical injury.

• The owner is unable to identify and/or avoid triggers for the behavior. The pet may be in a constant heightened state of arousal or vigilance, affecting the pet’s welfare; a dog that paces aimlessly or a cat that hides under the bed for most of the day. Another example would be a dog or cat that is attacking the other resident pet in the home without an identifiable or preventable trigger.

Providing Immediate Assistance

The client may contact the veterinarian on the phone or mention the behavior concerns, in passing, at the conclusion of an appointment. It is difficult to obtain an adequate behavioral history and address behavioral concerns within the confines of a 15- to 20-minute appointment. It is important to let the client know that their concerns are valid and that help is available. It is necessary to schedule an appropriate amount of time to address the client’s behavioral concerns or offer a referral to an appropriate behavior professional.

Suggestions for immediate assistance include:

• Show empathy; let pet owners know there is help and that they are not alone. Empathizing can provide instant relief for the client.

• Advise the pet owner to avoid triggers of the behavior if possible, not only for the safety of all involved but also to avoid the practicing of the undesirable behavior. For the dog that is reactive to stimuli on walks, walks should be avoided. For the cat that is showing aggression to another cat in the household, managing the cats separately in the home may be necessary.

• Cease all forms of punishment, including verbal or physical corrections; punishment can often exacerbate behavior problems and does not address the underlying motivation for the pet’s behavior.10,11

• In some cases temporarily boarding the pet, if it is safe to do so, will provide the pet owner with a necessary reprieve until further assistance can be provided.

Medical Problems with Underlying Behavioral Issues

Patients may present with medical conditions that are influenced by...