Signalment Factors, Comorbidity in Behavior Diagnoses in Dogs in Bursa Region, Turkey (2000 - 2004)

Yalcin E., H. Batmaz: Signalment Factors, Comorbidity in Behavior Diagnoses in Dogs in Bursa Region, Turkey (2000 2004). Acta Vet. Brno 2007, 76: 445-450. The aim of this study was to classify the behaviour problems of dogs reported by owners in the Bursa region. A survey was conducted with the owners of 80 dogs with behaviour problems in 2000 2004. The questionnaire consisted of questions related to the demographics of the problems the owners observed in their dogs. Sixty eight dogs were selected from animals referred to the Clinic of the Internal Medicine Department of the Uludag University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and 12 dogs were selected at a private kennel. The 68 dogs diagnosed at the clinic as having behaviour problems represented 6.2% of the 1086 patient dogs older than 6 months seen in the same period. Twelve dogs with behaviour problems were selected from a total of 150 dogs at a private kennel. A total of 110 behavioural problems were detected. Some dogs showed more than one behavioural disorder. The classifi cation of the problems was as follows: 65 dogs (59%) with aggression, 13 dogs (12%) with separation anxiety, 12 dogs (10.5%) with phobia of veterinary clinics and high-volume noises such as thunders and fi reworks, 12 dogs (10.5%) with compulsive disorders (9 dogs with tail chasing, 2 dogs with lick dermatitis, 1 dog with self mutilation), 4 dogs (4%) with inappropriate elimination, 2 dogs (2%) with coprophagia, and 1 dog (1%) with puppy killing, 1 dog (1%) with false pregnancy. The breeds most often presented in our study were: German shepherd (19%), Terrier (18%), mixed breed (15%), Anatolian sheepdog (10%). The results of the study showed that behavioural problems are common among dogs in Bursa and aggression ranks fi rst, followed by separation anxiety, phobia and tail chasing. Dog, behavioural problems, aggression, separation anxiety, phobia, compulsive disorder Within the last 25 years, it has become increasingly more common for veterinarians to see animals presented for behaviour problems, and behaviour medicine is a quickly developing fi eld of the profession. Dissatisfaction with the behaviour is also one of the most common reasons for owners to abandon or euthanize their pets (Voith 1989). In one study, dogs were euthanized due to one or more behavioural problems in 23.6% of cases and, in about 2/3 of these cases, the problem was classifi ed as aggressive behaviour. A relatively large proportion of dogs euthanized due to aggressive behaviour displayed combinations of: 1) aggression towards family; 2) aggression towards strangers; and/or 3) aggression towards other dogs (Mikkelsen and Lund 2000). The types of behaviour problems and their degree of severity vary greatly. Knol (1987) reported that aggressive behaviour and/or fear (agonistic behaviour) were most frequently presented behaviour problems of dogs. Aggression is the most common presenting complaint (Beaver 1992) and potentially the most serious behaviour problem confronting the pet owner and small animal practitioner (Voith and Borchelt 1996c). Similarly, Bamberger and Houpt (2006) diagnosed aggression in nearly 75% of all dogs evaluated, mostly because of aggression directed at humans rather than other animals. In addition to these problems, separation anxiety was determined as an important behavioural problem of dogs (Takeuchi et al. ACTA VET. BRNO 2007, 76: 445-450; doi:10.2754/avb200776030445 Address for correspondence: E. Yalcin Department of Internal Medicine Veterinary Faculty Uludag University 16190 Bursa Phone: + 90 224 234 76 55 Fax: + 90 224 234 63 95 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.vfu.cz/acta-vet/actavet.htm 2000). Separation anxiety is the most common behavioural problem in dogs at referral to behavioural practices; diagnosed in 20 to 40% of dogs referred to animal behaviour practices in North America (Voith and Borchelt 1996a). Approximately one third of the dogs presented to the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Behaviour Clinic are presented for complaints related to separation anxiety (Voith 1989). Separation anxiety is also a very common behaviour problem in dogs in Turkey and its rate has been reported to be as high as 27% (Dodurka et al. 2000). Takeuchi et al. (2001) reported the three major behaviour problems: aggression toward owners, aggression towards strangers and separation anxiety. Fear of loud noises, especially thunder, fi recrackers, and guns, is a normal behavioural reaction, but in some dogs the usual signs of fear panting and pacing escalate to frantic attempts to escape (Houpt and Reisner 1995). Compulsive disorders are acral lick dermatitis, fl ank sucking (in Dobermans), tail chasing (in German shepherds), whirling (in Bull terriers), freezing (in Bull terriers and Miniature schnauzers), pacing, fl oor scratching, growling at self, jumping in place, chasing real or imaginary objects, vocalizations, excessive grooming or hair chewing, self-mutilation, and licking or eating of atypical objects (Beaver 1992). Tail chasing is a repetitive behaviour that is expressed as slow to rapid circling with the dog’s attention directed toward its tail or rapid spinning in tight circles with no apparent focus on its tail (Moon-Fanelli and Dodman 1998). Blackshaw et al. (1994) reported that 4% of the dogs in their behavioural practice were referred for tail chasing. Affected dogs consisted primarly of Bull terriers (Beaver 1992), Bull terrier crosses, other terriers, and German shepherd dogs (Moon-Fanelli and Dodman 1998). Acral lick dermatitis, also known as a lick granuloma, results from an urge to lick the dorsal aspect of the carpal region, producing a thickened, fi rm, oval plaque. Behaviour of psychogenic origin can be facilitated by stress, including changes in schedules or even little environmental stimuli (Beaver 1992). Predisposed breeds include the Doberman pinscher, Great dane, Labrador retriever, Irish setter, Golden retriever, and German shepherd. Other breeds, including smaller dogs, can also develop acral lick dermatitis. It can occur at any age, although most dogs are over 5 years of age when presented for treatment. Males with the disorder outnumber females by two to one (Scott et al. 1995). The main purpose of this study was to provide information concerning the types and frequencies of behavioural problems of dogs in the Bursa region, Turkey. Materials and Methods The material of this study consisted of 80 dogs of different breeds, age and both sexes. Sixty-eight of these dogs were selected from animals referred to the Clinic of the Internal Medicine Department of the Uludag University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and twelve dogs were bred at a private kennel in 2000 2004. In each case, historytaking was performed by one of the authors (E.Y.) by asking questions according to a standardized questionnaire (Houpt 1998). The 68 dogs diagnosed at the clinic as having behaviour problems represented 6.2% of the 1086 patient dogs older than 6 months which seen in the same period. Twelve dogs with behaviour problems were selected from a total of 150 dogs at the private kennel. The study included 16 rural and 64 urban dogs. Breed types were categorized as an American Kennel Club recognized breed or as a mixed-breed. Aggression has been classifi ed by Beaver (1992) as dominance, fear-induced, idiopathic, intrasexual, learned, object-protective, food-protective, maternal, medically related, owner-protective, pain-induced, play, predatory, redirected, sex-related, territorial/protective.