Does Your Dog Suffer from
Separation Anxiety?

A new product has been released by Novartis in order to help treat separation anxiety in dogs. Dogs with this behavioral problem become extremely stressed when they are separated from their owners. Dogs are highly social creatures, and they form very strong attachments to their owners. When their owners are absent, some dogs experience extreme amounts of anxiety, resulting in disruptive and distructive behaviors. While many owners think of this disruptive behavior as the dog being spiteful or angry, it is really more of a distress response. This is a treatable disorder that can see great improvement with behavioral modification and the drug, Clomicalm.

Clinical signs of this disorder can vary widely, and include a range of destructive or otherwise inappropriate behaviors, from mild to quite severe. The most recognizable signs of separation anxiety are summarized into distinctive behaviors:

• excessive vocalization, including barking and whining;
• destruction of the environment, such as chewing and digging;
• inappropriate elimination

The vocalization is the most common sign, and includes repetitive barking, howling and whining, that may occur just when the owner leaves, or could continue until the owner returns. Destruction includes chewing and digging and may be directed toward furniture, clothing, magazines, papers, or window or door moldings. If crated, some dogs will chew or dig enough to break teeth or claws. Inappropriate elimination includes urination and defecation, oftentimes anywhere in the house. Remember, these are due to the high level of your pet's uncontrollable anxiety, and not spite. Since dogs can't control their behavior they should never be punished for it. Verbal reprimands and punishment may actually make your dog more anxious and make the problem worse.

Other signs of canine separation anxiety may also be exhibited:

• Psychosomatic/medical consequences, such as excessive licking of haircoat, pacing, or circling. Some lick granulomas may be the result of separation anxiety;
• Hyperattachment, which means your dog constantly pesters his owner for attention, and shows excessive greeting behavior when the owner returns from being gone;
• Hypersalivation, with pools of saliva on the floor or the dogs neck and chest soaked.

Clomicalm is clomipramine hydrochloride, a tricyclic antidepressant which is commonly used in humans. It acts by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters within the brain. By increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters, dogs will have decreased levels of fear and anxiety and be more receptive to behavioral modification techniques. The drug may cause some temporary sleepiness, but not sedation. Additional side effects of the drug may include vomiting, and pupil dilatation, but it is generally well tolerated in dogs. The side effect of vomiting may be cured by giving the drug with food or splitting it into two doses a day instead of the usual one. Clomicalm should not be given in conjunction with the Preventic tick collar or Anipryl tablets. It can be given in dogs over 6 months of age.

The drug is combined with a specific behavioral modification plan prescribed for each individual situation, where the owner follows several simple steps before each departure from home. An appointment will be set up with your doctor in order to describe what will be involved. It is important to realize that the drug will not work alone, it MUST be combined with owner and dog training to be successful. Normally the drug use, paired with the behavior modification, takes up to eight to twelve weeks to be successful. Relapses may occur if there are changes in the family routine, such as moving to a new home or changing your work schedule. In these cases, behavior modification alone may prove to be the answer.

If you're still not sure if your pet suffers from separation anxiety, you can try videotaping (or even audiotaping) your dog when you are out. Since there are other disorders and illness with some similar signs, schedule a special consultation with your veterinarian. We can help you solve your pet's problems.