“Boom Boom Pow” By: Erin McIntyre Hinds

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Meet Fantine 8 years old Female Spayed Mixed Breed Adopted from shelter in 2004

Important Previous Medical History 1 st week home: – Destructive – Defecated in crate, laundry room September 2004: Moved to Phoenix – Walks, dog park and apt manager – Destruction continues (blinds)

Important Previous Medical History July 2007: Moved to Tucson – Escape artist, apt manager – Destruction continues (blinds, shoes) – Rescue Remedy and Dog Appeasing Pheromone Spring 2008: – Destruction worsens (blanket, mats, beds, toys) – Exercise – Owner sought rDVM/behaviorist assistance

Presentation to MSU-CVM July 2009: Moved to Starkville July : Presents to MSU-CVM – Clinical signs: Pants, paces, whines, shakes, eyes dilate, panics during storms (new since moving) – PE: WNL – CBC/CHEM: WNL

Problem List Anxious Destructive Not always sensitive to pain Occurs only when owner is not home or during thunderstorms

Rule Outs House soiling: – Medical causes of house soiling UTI, Cystitis, Bladder Stones IBD, Anal Sac problems, Food sensitivities – Inadequate house training – Marking (mostly intact males) – Prolonged periods without going outside – Cognitive dysfunction syndrome Destruction: – Limited play or exercise – External stimuli Neurological Separation Anxiety Thunderstorm Phobia

Diagnosis Thunderstorm Phobia complicated by Separation Anxiety

Fear vs. Phobia Fears of strange noises or animals are adaptive responses because these can sometimes be associated with an increased risk of injury or even death. “Phobias are generally thought to be maladaptive responses of persistent fear and anxiety reactions that are out of proportion to the actual stimulus”

Thunderstorm Phobia Thunderstorm phobia falls under the category of noise phobia, with a few added components to complicate the issue. – the barometric pressure drops, the sky usually darkens, lightening can occur, the sound of wind and rain can vary Dogs that are fearful of storms Dogs that have a thunderstorm phobia

What’s next? July : – Took her off Phenobarbital – Tried the thundershirt – Started on Fluoxetine (Reconcile) 20mg Q24H August : – Refilled Fluoxetine (Reconcile) 20mg Q24H – Recommended Veterinary Behaviorist at Univ of Tenn September : – Increased Floxetine (Reconcile) to 25mg Q24H Fall 2009: – Began fostering dogs to find Fantine a “friend”

Fantine and Eponine

The Destruction Continues April 2010: – Fantine and Eponine chewed up carpet while owner was out of the house – Both got new crates

The Thunderstorm Phobia Worsens May : – Presented to MSU-CVM for fractured tooth and damaged nails/pads from trying to escape from crate during storm – Took her off Fluoxetine – Prescribed New Medications: Clomipramine (Clomicalm) Alprazolam (Xanax)

Exercise Desensitization Rescue Remedy & D.A.P. Phenobarbital & Fluoxetine Thunder shirt What did not help Fantine?

Fantine’s Current Medications Clomipramine (50 mg) 1 caps Q12H Alprazolam (2 mg).5-1 tab Q24H Acepromazine (2 mg ) 2 tabs as needed And she’s doing well right now on these drugs and dosages.

The Role of Veterinarians Client Expectations Veterinary Medicine includes behavior Overlooked in some practices

Summary We have discussed only one behavior issue, but the reality is there are many behavior issues that owners deal with on a daily basis. It is our job as veterinarians to be there when they need us.

Questions?