Behavior

Question 1

What receptor do phenothiazines act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 1

Dopamine D2 antagonists

Question 2

What receptors does reserpine act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 2

Blocks norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine

Question 3

What receptor do dissociative anesthetics act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 3

Non-competitive antagonists at the NMDA receptor

Question 4

What receptor do sedative/hypnotics act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 4

Alpha 2 agonists

Question 5

What receptor do benzodiazepines act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 5

GABA agonists

Question 6

What receptor does buspirone? act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 6

Stimulates serotonin receptors

Question 7

What receptors do tricyclic antidepressants act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 7

Inhibits norepinephrine and serotonin

Question 8

What receptor does trazodone act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 8

Serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitor

Question 9

What receptor do naoloxone or naltrexone act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 9

Opioid antagonists

Question 10

What receptor does L-deprenyl act on? Does it stimulate or inhibit it?

Answer 10

Monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor

Question 11

What is the primary difference between tranquilizers and sedatives?

Answer 11

Tranquilizers: make an animal less responsive to its environment without causing drowsiness of loss of consciousness. Provides no analgesia
Sedatives: induce a sleepy state. Provides analgesia

Question 12

What are the side-effects and relative contraindications to the use of acepromazine?

Answer 12

Side-effects: temporary drop in PCV, bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia
Contraindications: hypovolemic shock due to vasodilation

Question 13

What are the side-effects and relative contraindications to the use of alpha2 agonists?

Answer 13

Side-effects: bradycardia, AV block, vomiting, hyperglycemia, diuresis
Contraindications: dogs with heart disease

Question 14

What category of tranquilizer is azaperone (Stresnil®) and in what species is it primarily used?

Answer 14

Butyrophenones

Primarily used in swine, some extra-label wildlife use

Question 15

Identify the relative species sensitivity to xylazine for the cow, pig, and horse

Answer 15

Cows are extrememly sensitive to xylazine. Dose is 1/10 that of horses
Xylazine has little effect on pigs
Most sensitive is cow, middle sensitive is horse, and least sensitive is pig

Question 16

Name two dissociative drugs used in veterinary medicine

Answer 16

Ketamine and Telazol

Question 17

Why is it necessary to add an additional tranquilizer or sedative when using Telazol® in dogs but not in cats?

Answer 17

To help smooth recovery because tiletamine will outlast zolazepam

Question 18

Penile paralysis is a rare but serious side-effect of phenothiazine tranquilizers in what specie(s)?

Answer 18

Horses

Question 19

Explain why epinephrine should not be used in an animal tranquilized with acepromazine.

Answer 19

Epinephrine reversal (drop in BP) can occur in excitable animals
Epinephrine is an alpha1 agonist while acepromazine is an alpha1 antagonist. So if we give ace and the animal is super excited (sympathetic nervous system releases Epi), ace won’t work

Question 20

Name two tranquilizers given in horses that have prolonged effects after a single dosing

Answer 20

Fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin) and Reserpine (Serpalan)

Question 21

What drug is approved as an oromucosal gel to manage noise phobias?

Answer 21

Dexmedetomidine (Sileo)

Question 22

Name the drugs that can be used in dogs “on demand” to manage anxiety. Name two other drugs that require accumulation over several days to weeks before an antianxiety effect is seen.

Answer 22

On demand: trazadone, benzodiazepines

Has to accumulate: buspirone (Buspar), SSRI’s (Fluoxetine)

Question 23

Name the drugs that should be used cautiously when using any behavior modifier that acts to enhance central serotonin concentrations

Answer 23

Tramadol (increases serotonin); Amitraz, linezolid, furazolidone, selegiline (MAOIs)

Question 24

For what indication in cats is buspirone sometimes used?

Answer 24

Treating inappropriate elimination in cats

Question 25

What is serotonin syndrome? Why is it considered a cumulative risk?

Answer 25

Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much serotonin in circulation. It usually occurs in an overdose of certain medications (SSRI’s or tricyclic antidepressants) or if these get combined. It is a cumulative risk because the more you use, the hard it is for the body to degrade the excess serotonin produced. Dogs will seem agitated, disoriented, hyperactive, vocalize, tachycardia, panting, vomiting and diarrhea

Question 26

Discuss the pros and cons of using benzodiazepines for behavior problems in dogs and cats.

Answer 26

Pros: it works on demand so its useful in sporadic anxiety (thunderstorms, fireworks) Cons: may cause hepatotoxicity in cats, Class 4 drug (humans abuse it), and it does NOT improve behaviors where anxiety is suppressing aggressive tendencies (fear biting, certain types of dominance aggression).

Question 27

What type B adverse reaction has been reported with diazepam use in cats and how does the frequency of administration affect this risk?

Answer 27

Idiopathic hepatic necrosis in cats if used long term in cats

Question 28

What role do benzodiazepine play in the management of aggression problems?

Answer 28

It does NOT improve behaviors where anxiety is suppressing aggressive tendencies (fear biting, certain types of dominance aggression)

Question 29

Why have many behaviorists recommended against benzodiazepines in animals undergoing behavioral training therapies?

Answer 29

It is thought that benzos have an amnesic effect and interfere with learning

Question 30

Contrast the terms “addiction” and “physical dependency”. What risks do the benzodiazepine have in this regard?

Answer 30

Physical dependency: when the body cannot produce enough of the substance endogenously to prevent a withdrawal. So, you need an outside source to keep from going through withdrawals. However, with a slow taper, you can come off physical dependency. We call animals physically dependent because they can’t tell us they need their fix. Addiction: this is uncontrollable cravings, inability to control drug use and compulsive drug use. The cravings are due to an altered brain biology. It’s pretty much impossible to say if an animal is addicted to a medication. Benzodiazepines are class 4 controlled drugs and are abused by humans who may become physically dependent or even addicted to them. So, we do not use them chronically often in our patients.

Question 31

What role do progestins play in the management of behavior problems?

Answer 31

Appear to have a calming effect on some animals

Question 32

Abnormalities of which neurotransmitter has been suggested to underlie OCD disorders like acral lick granulomas?

Answer 32

Serotonin

Question 33

Name the drugs used to manage OCD behavior (e.g., acral lick granuloma).

Answer 33

Clomipramine (TCA) | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (Fluoxetine)

Question 34

What drugs, other than tranquilizers or sedatives, can be used in the management of aggression?

Answer 34

Progestins (megesterol acetate) Clompipramine (TCA) SSRI (Fluoxetine) Anticonvulsants (Carbamazepine, gabapentin)

Question 35

What evidence supports the use of TCAs in the management of aggression?

Answer 35

Has been reported to be of some benefit in selected cases of dominance aggression. One study however reported negative results

Question 36

What evidence supports the use of fluoxetine in the management of aggression?

Answer 36

Has been reported empirically to be beneficial in treatment of dominance aggression. One study supported that premise

Question 37

What evidence supports the use of carbamazepine in the management of aggression?

Answer 37

Reported to be used in 2 cases with aggression towards owners

Question 38

What evidence supports the use of gabapentine in the management of aggression?

Answer 38

Empiric evidence suggests that it may decrease aggression in cats when used in anticipation of clinic visit

Question 39

What liability does the veterinarian assume in treating aggression problems in animals?

Answer 39

You can be held liable for treating a dog for aggression and it bites a human

Question 40

What drug is approved in dogs to treat cognitive dysfunction?

Answer 40

L-deprenyl = selegiline (Anipryl)

Question 41

True or False: L-theanine, alpha-casozepine, Magnolia / Phellodendron herbs, tryptophan, pheromones, and melatonin are all nutraceuticals

Answer 41

True

Question 42

True or False: there is strong evidence supporting that nutraceutical agents have a calming effect

Answer 42

False, there is weak evidence supporting that claim