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Flashcards

Robbie

Megan Burnett Vivas MSc English 39 cards

Cards in this deck (39)

  1. 1Robbie's signalment and presenting complaintDog, GSD, female, scared of fireworks
  2. 2What are the triggers for Robbie's behaviour?Fireworks
  3. 3Why might you consider FEAR?'Nervous dog'
    Behaviours indicative of FEAR, e.g. panting, pacing, shaking, tries to hide - self-preservation
    20 minute de-rousal time - quite long, too long to be habit
  4. 4What questions might you ask the owner to either include or rule out FEAR?Does Robbie vocalise during fireworks?
    The owner mentioned that he tries not to leave Robbie during fireworks, but what happens when he does?
    Body posture, body language indicative of FEAR?
    Is there any particular features of fireworks that Robbie reacts most to? E.g. does she display the behaviour immediately after the firework has gone off/before?
    When the owner attempts to calm her, e.g. by talking to him, does this actually help to calm him?
    Does Robbie display any fearful responses to other loud noises, e.g. dropping a pan, slamming door?
    Does Robbie show any anticipatory/anxious behaviours leading up to firework season?
  5. 5What is the difference between anxiety, fear and phobia?Anxiety is the feeling of apprehension due to the anticipation of some unidentified threat or danger
    Fear is the feeling of apprehension from the presence of a stimulus, it is an adaptive response that prompts the animal to remove or protect itself
    A phobia in an intense response to a stimulus which is out of proportion and excessive for the actual degree of threat, it is maladaptive and interferes with normal functioning
  6. 6In regards to FEAR, what is the difference between associative and non-associative processes and how might they relate to Robbie?Associative processes are traumatic experiences which the animal associates with a particular stimulus, e.g. loud noise. Did Robbie have any early life experiences involving loud noises?
    Non-associative processes may be due to lack of socialisation in early life and sensitisation. Robbie didn't attend puppy classes and the owner states that she is rarely exposed to new situations, so therefore it may be reasonable to suggest that she was inadequately socialised/habituated to loud noises. Robbie also left her mother and litter mates relatively early (5-6 weeks). If dogs do not have adequate exposure to certain stimuli in early life during the sensitive period, fears of those stimuli may develop later in life
  7. 7Explain the potential role of a pseudofear, and what questions might you ask the owner in order to include/rule it out?Robbie may have learned that if she seeks his owner out during fireworks, or displays certain behaviour, she is rewarded with attention from the owner.
    Does Robbie follow you around a lot, in any situation, including during fireworks? When the owner attempts to calm her, e.g. talking to her, does this actually calm her?
  8. 8Why might you consider FEAR of PAIN? What would you need to know in order to include it/rule it out?Robbie has suffered from bad hips in the past
    Did this coincide with a firework season? Did the fearful behaviour begin around the same time as the painful hips?
    Need a medical examination by a vet
  9. 9Why might you consider SEEKING owner attention? Why might you rule it out?Robbie seeks out her owner during fireworks, perhaps because she has learned that she is reinforced for her fearful behaviour, e.g. stroked and talked to
    However, she does display a typical FEAR response, e.g. panting, pacing, hiding. But, does this stop when the owner is near?
  10. 10Can you rule out PANIC?Probably, though it is not known what she does when she is alone as she is rarely left. If she was left and feeling PANIC, we may expect to see some vocalisation in the absence of the owner
  11. 11Why might we be able to rule out PANIC?Very slow de-rousal time. Question to ask includes, does the behaviour look the same every time? E.g. is the pacing behaviour consistent in form?
  12. 12Are there any mood-related factors which are likely to be important to the problem?Mood is likely to be consistently low during firework season, perhaps even before and after too
  13. 13Are there any temperament-related factors which are likely to be important to the problem?'Nervous dog' - is he generally nervous? In what other situations is he nervous?
    Genetics may play a role - more likely to develop noise sensitivities if you have a fearful temperament. Does the owner know anything about Robbie's mother or litter mates, as he seems to be under the impression that genetics plays a role
    Could use PANAS to get more of an idea about fearful temperament
  14. 14What are the constraints on the formulation of a treatment protocol in regards to Robbie?Appears to be temperamentally fearful (confirm with PANAS) - more prone to develop noise fears, and also more likely to relapse
    Breed disposition?
  15. 15What are the constraints on the formulation of a treatment protocol in regards to the physical environment?Where does the owner live? Busy urban areas are more likely to have regular fireworks, compared to a house in the middle of nowhere that just has them once a year
  16. 16What are the constraints on the formulation of a treatment protocol in regards to the social environment?Owner lives on his own so may have limited support in treatment implementation - needs to be manageable for one person
  17. 17What are the constraints on the formulation of a treatment protocol in regards to family circumstances?No evidence of financial constraints, medication may be needed
  18. 18What are the constraints on the formulation of a treatment protocol in regards to client expectations and beliefs?May need educating/counselling about inadvertent reinforcement, e.g. talking to Robbie and stroking him when fearful, and how it may be making the behaviour worse
    Owner may find it hard not to comfort his dog
    Counsel on the role of genetics - Robbie is able to change
  19. 19At which stage of the cycle of change do you think the owner is at?Contemplation/preparation - may be ambivalent about change as fireworks may not be frequent enough to cause disruption to day-to-day life. However, there is some evidence that the owner has tried some things to correct the behaviour, such as leaving the TV on, but these changes are probably inconsistent and the owner may need guidance
  20. 20What are the risks to Robbie?Low risk of euthanasia/relinquishment if the behaviour continues or worsens
    High risk of chronic distress if the behaviour continues so risk to psychological welfare
    Physical harm when trying to hide/escape
  21. 21What are the risks to people?Owner may be at risk of physical injury if Robbie decides to redirect his behaviour into aggression, though unlikely
  22. 22What are the risks to other animals?No other animals at risk due to there being no other animals in the home
  23. 23What are the risks to property?May be a low risk of damage to property if Robbie begins to house soil, destroy items, or breaks something when trying to hide or escape
  24. 24What prognosis would you give Robbie's case?Reasonable prognosis - Robbie will be taught how to cope with fear and will be more relaxed during fireworks, but may still show some mild signs of anxiety, may be a risk of relapse due to intensity
  25. 25Give 8 examples of treatment for RobbieMedical examination - check for underlying medical issues which may be exacerbating the behaviour, lowering her threshold
    Medication - benzodiazepines, e.g. Aprazolam/Xanax or tricyclic antidepressants, e.g. clomipramine
    Nutraceuticals such as Zylkene
    ADAPTIL DAP
    DS/CC to recording of fireworks, counter-condition a "settle"
    Avoid reinforcement
    Music in the background, e.g. songs with repetitive drum beats, classical
    Other environmental modifications, e.g. close the curtain, ear plugs
  26. 26What do benzodiazepines do?Facilitate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the CNS
    Anxiolytic and anti-panic properties that take effect rapidly and last for several hours
    Block memory, reduce risk of problem deteriorating following repeated exposure
  27. 27What can benzodiazepines be combined with?Clomipramine
  28. 28What are the risks of using benzodiazepines?Less efficacious when given after the noise event has already started and the animal has already begun to show aversion, so owner compliance is important
    Side effects may include increased appetite, sedation, ataxia, and muscle relaxation
  29. 29What is an advantage of using benzodiazepines?Rapid effect, able to give them shortly before a noise event, short-term basis, as-and-when needed
  30. 30How do tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) work?Inhibit reuptake of serotonin which allows the molecules to work for longer periods of time, increasing serotonergic transmission
  31. 31Why might it not be necessary to combine benzodiazepines and clomipramine in this case?Relatively low severity and not on a daily basis
  32. 32What are some of the risks of using TCAs?Some side effects may include gastrointestinal problems, taste aversion, urinary retention, ileus, tachycardia, hypotension and arrhythmias
  33. 33What is a disadvantage of using TCAs?Unlike benzodiazepines which are able to be given a couple of hours before a noise event, TCAs may take several weeks to take effect and require continuous dosage, so advised to start the treatment at least 6 weeks prior to firework season
  34. 34Why might you use a nutraceutical such as Zylkene?Zylkene (alpha-casozepine) has been studied in animals with anxiety disorders - unknown efficacy
  35. 35What is the typical time scale for ADAPTIL to become effective?Improvement may be seen within one week. Continued use for one month is recommended
  36. 36Is there any evidence for the efficacy of DS/CC programs?Efficacy has been strongly demonstrated alongside medication and/or ADAPTIL
  37. 37What are the risks associated with DS/CC programs?If the owner progresses too quickly for the animal, the behaviour may worsen - flooding
  38. 38The owner may be reluctant to stop stroking and talking to Robbie to calm her down. What could he do instead?Act jolly and play games with her to keep her distracted
  39. 39How can you make ear plugs for a dog?By dampening cotton wool and rolling into a long cyclinder, twisting into the ear canal

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MSc Vivas Flashcards on Robbie, created by Megan Burnett on 24/04/2019.
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Megan Burnett
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