Could noise sensitivity in dogs be a cry for pain relief?March 26, 2018 A study conducted by animal behavior scientists from the U.K. and Brazil found that dogs that show fear or anxiety when faced with loud or sudden noises could actually be in pain. The researchers examined cases of dogs that had developed sensitivity to variations in noise volume, pitch, and occurrence, and found they also had associated musculoskeletal pain. The undiagnosed pain could be exacerbated when auditory stimuli makes the dogs tense or jump, placing extra stress on muscles or joints that already are inflamed, causing further pain, according to the study. That pain is then associated with a loud or startling noise, leading to sensitivity to noise and avoidance of situations where they had a previous bad experience, such as at a local park or in a loud room at home. According to the researchers, veterinarians should give any dog with a behavior issue a thorough physical exam to determine that if pain is a factor, it can be diagnosed and treated, and the behavior issue can then be addressed. In the study, all dogs that experienced pain and were treated showed improvement in behavior. Pain, behavior issues, and the onset of pain "Although the average ages of the …
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How Fear Free training decreases on-the-job veterinary injuriesFebruary 13, 2018I think it’s safe to say we’re the only profession with a 100 percent accident rate and, worse yet, a reoccurring one. As with any malady or disease, we are trained to look at cause and effect.
Dog and cat behavior myths debunkedFebruary 9, 2018Veterinary behavior is a relatively new specialty in our profession. Unfortunately, as such, plenty of old wives tales persist. As veterinarians and veterinary nurses, we critically evaluate and use evidenced-based medicine for our patients on a daily basis, and this should apply to behavior and training, as well.
28,000 days of Vetrax data show what 'normal' behavior means for a dogDecember 12, 2017How long should a dog sleep during a 24 hour period? Is it normal for dogs to scratch? When is scratching so excessive that dog owners should seek veterinary care? These basic questions have not had a clear answer—until now, according to technology company AGL, which has published results from 28,000 dog days of data generated by the company's wearable sensor, Vetrax. The Vetrax wearable sensor, app, and online portal combine to provide accurate and detailed monitoring of a dog's specific behaviors to help pet owners and veterinarians to monitor, evaluate, and manage treatment plans, according to the company. AGL's results shows that dogs sleep less than previously thought but also live sedentary lives, walking for just over an hour a day and resting for nine hours on average. It means that veterinary professionals can now refer to statistics with an evidence base and take 'average' behavior into account when making recommendations, according to AGL. The Vetrax data has been gathered from dogs wearing the company's pet sensor. The monitor evaluates not just general activity but also more clinically relevant behaviors such as scratching or shaking. Vetrax found that, on average, dogs walk for just 68 …
Study: Pet owners more satisfied with clinics that play classical musicJuly 5, 2017The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has released the abstract of a paper called “Effect of different types of classical music played at a veterinary hospital on dog behavior and owner satisfaction.”
Is it a medical problem or a behavior problem?June 23, 2017Determining why some pets engage in alarming or undesirable behaviors is a chicken-or-egg-first conundrum, according to Gary Landsberg, BSc, DVM, Dipl. ACVB, Dipl. ECAWBM. Which comes first—a medical problem or a behavioral issue?
7 annoying habits that cause problems in the vet practiceDecember 14, 2016Marshall Goldsmith makes an interesting observation in his excellent best-seller book “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” (Hyperion, 2007).
5 dog behavior books every veterinarian needs to readJuly 28, 2016Whether you are a new veterinarian or have been practicing for years, it seems like there is always something else to learn, especially when it comes to understanding dog behavior. We might be halfway through summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to pick up a book (or five) to sharpen your skills or integrate something new into your veterinary practice.
