Dogs can truly be man’s best friend. In many cases, people are a dog’s best friend too! When pet owners leave their dog, sometimes anxiety is the result. Canine separation anxiety is a distress response by a dog. It is triggered by separation from a person to whom the dog is attached, a high degree of uncertainty of an outcome, or the probability of punishment. hen the level of anxiety is much higher than the circumstances warrant, separation anxiety is a potential cause. Dogs with separation anxiety require behavioral management and medication.

Occurence

In the U.S., approximately one in ten canine patients show signs of separation anxiety. It is the second most common behavioral disease in dogs, behind aggression. The good news is that separation anxiety is a treatable disorder.

Younger dogs adopted from an animal shelter quite often show symptoms of anxiety. It is not commonly seen in middle-aged dogs unless they suffered with it from a young age. It is also common in older dogs. This may be because with age they may lose some hearing and sight. They become more dependent on their owners and may be more anxious when they are separated.

Separation anxiety may also return with changes to the dog’s environment or routine. Common precipitating factors include marriage, moving to a new house, a new baby, and changes in schedules (children going back to school or a new job with different hours).

Signs and Symptoms

Prolonged and constant human contact is frequently seen in cases of separation anxiety. Many dogs are so strongly attached to their owners that they will follow them from room to room to maintain close proximity.

Signs of separation anxiety can range from mild to severe:

Distress vocalization—howling, barking, whining

Inappropriate elimination—urination, defecation

Destructive behavior—chewing, digging

Anorexia/ “depression” or inactivity

Medical consequences—excessive licking of haircoat, pacing, circling

Hyperattachment—excessive greeting behavior, constant pestering of owner

Hypersalivation

The behaviors occur shortly after the animal is left alone. This unique feature distinguishes separation anxiety from other behavioral disorders. To diagnose, veterinarians will usually ask about dog behaviors and will do blood tests to rule out other causes.

Treatment

Treatment of canine separation anxiety involves both medical and behavioral measures. Typically once a drug treatment is started, improvement is seen within a few days. Rarely, response can take up to a month. Once effective, medication treatment is stopped after two months unless the condition recurs upon discontinuation. Bremo Pharmacy offers many alternatives to giving dog medications in the pill form. Ask your veterinarian or pharmacist for details if you have trouble administering the medicine.

Behavioral changes are based on desensitization and counter-conditioning. The basic techniques are easy and quick to teach and perform. The process includes identification of the behaviors what level of progress is expected. Most dogs respond well to treatment for separation related anxiety, however treatment failures do occur. In all cases of canine separation anxiety, any form of reprimand or punishment is contra-indicated and may actually increase the dog’s anxiety.

Michelle Herbert Thomas, PharmD, CDE

Clinical Director, Richmond Apothecaries, Inc.