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Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:48 am

Dogs Trust applauds Welsh Minister’s keynote speech.

Dogs Trust was delighted to hear the Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones announce measures to help combat the trade in ‘battery farmed’ dogs. In today’s keynote speech at the ‘Delivering Pet Welfare In Wales’ conference in Cardiff the Minister revealed a much needed review of the licensing and regulation of dog breeding in Wales.

‘Puppy farming’ is something Dogs Trust has been lobbying against for many years and has called for urgent measures to bring under control the number of establishments operating without a license. Not only do many unlicensed premises have substandard levels of animal welfare, but they are often responsible for fuelling the appalling trade in battery farmed dogs. Dogs Trust prefers to use the term ‘battery farmed dogs’ rather than ‘puppy farms’ as this better conveys to members of the public the terrible conditions that some dogs are kept in.

Dogs Trust also welcomed the Minister’s decision to consider making microchipping compulsory. This step will undoubtedly help enforcement agencies to track unscrupulous breeders as well as significantly reducing the number of stray and abandoned dogs in Wales. Dogs Trust’s 2009 Stray Dog Survey revealed a 25% year on year increase in the number of stray dogs that are being handled by Welsh Local Authorities so it is evident that urgent steps are required to encourage dog owners to take responsibility for their pets.

Dogs Trust urges Defra to follow the example of the Welsh Assembly Government and making the commitment to review the licensing and regulation of dog breeding in England as soon as possible.

For more information please contact:

Charlotte Speedy, Dogs Trust

Tel: 0207 833 7705

Email: Charlotte.speedy@dogstrust.org.uk

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:10 pm

We are definitely seeing a rise in the number of over-weight pets in practice – mainly cats and dogs but other species too. An animal can be called obese when its body weight exceeds the recommended weight by 15-20%

It is estimated that around 30% off all dogs and cats are in the obese category.

There are many diseases/metabolic changes caused by obesity namely diabetes mellitus, left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, tracheal collapse, pancreatitis, hepatic lipidosis etc etc – the list is infinite.

To treat obesity you need a compliant owner. Have you noticed how many obese pets are accompanied by obese owners? I have found it a little awkward on some occasions during weight clinics in practice when I attempt to guilt trip owners into reducing calories only to find myself noticing the owners many rolls of fat around the midline/neck regions!

Increased activity levels combined with a satisfying appropriate diet carefully chosen and daily amount accurately worked out. Hills reps do have lots of useful literature and tools to assist with this. The main item I find essential is the pocket calculator which works out percent overweight/quantity of food required/time taken to lose weight etc It is a brilliant invention and saves a lot of time. I also find if you use this to work everything out in front of the owner it really gives them the confidence as you have told the in no uncertain terms that this will work and when as long as they adhere to your guidelines.

Once the animal has reached its preferred target weight a certificate should be issued and some recognition for the owners hard work. A photograph of before and after the dieting and plenty of praise for the owner will go down well. Continue to check weight regularly to ensure it doesn’t creep back on afterwards.

I find weight clinics are invaluable in practice and you can get a real rapport with owner and animal if you allow a good 20 minute clinic for them every week.

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:18 am

If you are currently in need of work within the next 6-12 months please read on. Similarly if you are aware of anybody that is looking for work please direct them to Vetpro..

To obtain further info on these or any other vet jobs contact:

Niki Gubb
01392 314070
nicola.gubb@rigvets.co.uk
Web: www.rigvets.co.uk

Locum nurse SW Devon: This position is an ongoing role which could turn to permanent for the right candidate. Working alongside 3 vets and 7 nurses, your rota will be on a 6 week pattern where you will be working mixed day shifts, 4 night shifts and 1 in 6 weekends.

Locum RVN – Newcastle 23^rd November 1 week: You will be confident in all aspects of pre & post operative care and be happy to perform schedule 3 procedures should the need occur, as well as be confident with nurse clinics.

Locum RVN – Bedford 17^th – 31^st December:

Working for the same company as above but at their Bedford Location again you will be confident to hit the floor running and be confident in pre and post operative care. There is no accommodation with this role.

Locum RVN – Birmingham– 23^rd November – 4^th January:

How would you like you like to work in a new state of the art referral centre? We are offering 1 lucky RVN an 8 week contract in this fast moving referral centre. This position also provides brand new accommodation for you at no extra expense to yourself!

Locum VN – Buckinghamshire 21^st Dec – 6^th Jan:

Locum Qualified or experienced nurse required to cover the festive season in Buckinghamshire. NO on call or weekends within this role. Accommodation can be provided for you.

Locum VN or experienced nurse – London – Immediate start – 6 month contract:

Locum Nurse required for 6 months in Crinkle wood. You will be confident in pre and post operative care, rediopgraphy, inpatient care and nurse clinics. You will be happy to take sole charge should the need arise

Locum RVN – Bristol 23^rd Nov & 14^th Dec both ongoing: Locum RVN required to work ongoing at this well known site on the outskirts of Bristol. You will be happy to work in theatre and also in 1^st opinion referrals. Accommodation could be provided should it be required.

Locum RVN – Lancashire 14^th -25^th December: Locum RVN required to cover 2 weeks holiday in the run up to Christmas. You will be happy to cover every aspect of vet nursing from inpatient care to theatre assist and helping in reception should the need arise. You will be working 1:3 on call weekends where you may need to take sole charge. Accommodation can be provided.

Locum RVN Experienced Nurse – Devon 14^th December:

Locum Nurse required to cover 6 months busy small animal practice in Devon. You will be confident in monitoring anaesthetics, lab work & X ray and IV’s. You may need to take sole charge should the need arise; you will be working 40hrs a week between Monday & Friday with no on call or weekends. Accommodation may be available should you need it.

Locum RVN – Surrey -Immediate start ongoing: RVN required to join first opinion clinic based in surrey. Duties will include, taking blood samples, lab work, inpatient care alongside pre and post operative care and theatre assists. You will be working Monday-Friday with no on call or OOH.

Locum RVN – Hampshire- January 5^th 2010 ongoing:

We are offering you a long term contract at my clients practice in Hampshire. You will be working alongside 4 vets and 6 nurses, this practice is mainly pre and post operative care with theatre assists. There is no ooh, on call or weekends. Accommodation provided.

Locum RVN – Surrey – Immediate start – ongoing:

Would you be interested in a surgical position? If so read on..... RVN required to join this specialist referral site based in Surrey, you will be working on a rota basis with the earliest start being 7:30am and the latest finish of Midnight. You will be working a 40hr week with no weekend shifts or on call. Accommodation can be provided for you at no extra expense; however you will require a car to commute the 10 minute drive from your accommodation.

Locum VN – Central London – Immediate Start – Ongoing - possibly perm

My client based in North London is seeking a highly experienced or qualified nurse to cover their ongoing vacancy. This is a newly refurbished site and is based in a very prominent area. You will be working Monday-Friday with no on call OOH!

Locum VN – Dublin Immediate start - Ongoing

Locum VN or experienced nurse required to join this first opinion clinic in Central Dublin. Shifts will include a rota of weekends and ooh. The team you are joining are well established and extremely supportive within this centre and are possibly looking to take on a permanent nurse to enhance the patient care within the busy practice.

Locum VN – Cambridge - Long term

VN required for a small animal teaching hospital in the Cambridge area. All applicants will need to be RCVS registered and be comfortable with Inpatient care, assisting with ops, Monitoring anaesthetics and catheters. You will be working 9am-5pm Monday-Friday only.

Locum Night VN -Eastbourne- Ongoing

Would you like to work 7on 7 off? Then we could have the ideal role for you. You will be required to cover 14 hrs emergency shifts with no phone duties. You will be required to cover in bound emergencies for the group with the assistance of the VS on call. The position is payed at a set night rate as they are not often buys and you may sleep where not required for duties.

Locum Animal Assistant – Hertfordshire

Have you got 1 year or more experience working within a practice? We are currently looking for an animal assistant to join my client’s small animal practice based in Hertfordshire. You will be working Monday-Friday with no ooh, your duties will include – assisting with ops, Blood samples and lab work, Inpatient care, dispensing drugs and reception cover and front of house work. Accommodation will be provided at no extra expense on site.

Locum RVN or exp nurse - Central London Immediate start

RVN or very experienced nurse to join busy small animal practice in Central London. You will be working on a rota basis but there is no ooh or on call within this role. Accommodation can be provided. You will be confident in all aspects of care.

Locum VN – Cornwall: Locum experienced nurse required to join busy small animal practice in quaint village in Cornwall. Accommodation can be provided. You will be working 40hrs Mon-Fri with non weekends or on call. You will be confident in inpatient care and Drugs dispensing as well as being happy to assist in a front of house capacity.

The jobs above are the latest roles; if you are looking for work or know anyone that is and above does not suit we have jobs available throughout the UK both with and without accommodation, for qualified and unqualified.

Please call Phil to discuss your requirements on 01392 314070 or email me direct nicola.gubb@rigvets.co.uk

YOU CAN VIEW ALL VETERINARY JOBS IN OUR VETERINARY JOB DATABASE - LEFT HAND SIDE OF HOMEPAGE.

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:17 am

New Orthopaedic Veterinary CPD Courses

CPD Solutions have got two new courses for next year, designed as a follow-on from our very popular Introduction to Orthopaedics course.

The latter, designed by specialist Orthopaedic surgeon Toby Gemmill, has helped hundreds of delegates to start out in orthopaedic surgery and taken away some of their anxiety when faced with procedures such as femoral head and neck excision and dealing with patellar luxations.

So if you’ve been on Introduction to Orthopaedics or another introductory course, check out ‘Moving on with Joint Surgery’ and ‘Moving on with Fracture Surgery’ in the Orthopaedic Surgery section of our website. These could be the next step in developing your decision-making and practical skills.

Take a look at www.cpdsolutions.com

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:13 am

If you are having trouble buying a gift for a friend/family member why not consider having a pet painting done?

This would be a treasured individual gift which will be appreciated for years to come.

Take a look at http://wwwpet-paintings.co.uk

How much does it cost?

A single head portrait of your favourite pet can cost as little as £35 including postage and packing! What are you waiting for?

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:06 am

A study shows how the behaviour of dogs has been misunderstood for generations: in fact using misplaced ideas about dog behaviour and training is likely to cause rather than cure unwanted behaviour. The findings challenge many of the dominance related interpretations of behaviour and training techniques suggested by some TV dog trainers.

Contrary to popular belief, aggressive dogs are NOT trying to assert their dominance over their canine or human “pack”, according to research published by academics at the University of Bristol’s Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research.

The researchers spent six months studying dogs freely interacting at a Dogs Trust rehoming centre, and reanalysing data from studies of feral dogs, before concluding that individual relationships between dogs are learnt through experience rather than motivated by a desire to assert “dominance”.

The paper “Dominance in domestic dogs – useful construct or bad habit?” reveals that dogs are not motivated by maintaining their place in the pecking order of their pack, as many well-known dog trainers preach.

Far from being helpful, the academics say, training approaches aimed at “dominance reduction” vary from being worthless in treatment to being actually dangerous and likely to make behaviours worse.

Instructing owners to eat before their dog or go through doors first will not influence the dog’s overall perception of the relationship – merely teach them what to expect in these specific situations. Much worse, techniques such as pinning the dog to the floor, grabbing jowls, or blasting hooters at dogs will make dogs anxious, often about their owner, and potentially lead to an escalation of aggression.

Dr Rachel Casey, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Bristol University, said: “The blanket assumption that every dog is motivated by some innate desire to control people and other dogs is frankly ridiculous. It hugely underestimates the complex communicative and learning abilities of dogs. It also leads to the use of coercive training techniques, which compromise welfare, and actually cause problem behaviours.

“In our referral clinic we very often see dogs which have learnt to show aggression to avoid anticipated punishment. Owners are often horrified when we explain that their dog is terrified of them, and is showing aggression because of the techniques they have used – but its not their fault when they have been advised to do so, for example by unqualified ‘behaviourists’ recommending such techniques.”

At Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, rehoming centre staff see the results of misguided dog training all the time. Veterinary Director Chris Laurence MBE, added: “We can tell when a dog comes in to us which has been subjected to the ‘dominance reduction technique’ so beloved of TV dog trainers. They can be very fearful, which can lead to aggression towards people.

“Sadly, many techniques used to teach a dog that his owner is leader of the pack is counter-productive; you won’t get a better behaved dog, but you will either end up with a dog so fearful it has suppressed all its natural behaviours and will just do nothing, or one so aggressive it’s dangerous to be around.”

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:57 pm

www.rspcashop.co.uk
Dear Supporter, It's that time of year again when the high street is full of people searching for Christmas presents. So what better way to avoid the crush and the crowds than to purchase your gifts online from the RSPCA Christmas shop? We have lots of great gift ideas, things for your pet, calendars to see you into 2010, and all the gift-wrap you could possibly need to hide those presents away. And if you still need to buy your Christmas cards, why not check out our fabulous range, all printed in the UK on FSC material from sustainable sources - show you care about the environment as well as the animals that share it with us. Funds from every item bought in the RSPCA Christmas shop will go to help animals in our care, so what are you waiting for? Get shopping today! Order online by midnight Friday, 13 November 2009, and you'll also recieve a fantastic free mug worth £4.99! Thank you from all at the RSPCA - we hope you enjoy the festive season!

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:45 am

A cat in Iowa has just been confirmed as testing positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus – the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza. The cat, which is recovering, is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1. There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or people. Prior to this diagnosis, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus had been found in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets. To date, animals infected with H1N1 have shown mild respiratory illness or no illness at all.

It’s not surprising that this has happened and it isn’t particularly worrying - it’s the nature of this virus to mutate and adapt. But up until now the advice has been that “dogs and cats are not affected”. Now we can only say “dogs are not affected (so far)”. And perhaps that should be qualified, by adding that pet owners should monitor their pets’ health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness

The Swine Flu virus continues to trek its way around the globe, as predicted, and it’s likely that this new type of infection will occur from time to time. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is actively tracking all instances of H1N1 in animals and posting updates on their website.

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:32 am

"It is recognised that dogs may show signs of fear or phobia of the loud noises associated with fireworks. It is the duty of veterinary surgeons to recommend and support evidence-based therapies for this noise fear or phobia in order that they may improve the welfare of animals under their care"

Summary of recommendations
Management of phobias should involve evidence-based treatments:

• Behavioural management.

• Anxiolytic/amnesic drugs.

• Support with pheromones.

Management of phobias is not enough; as with any other chronic, degenerative condition it is essential that phobias be treated. Treatment should also involve evidence-based treatments:

• Behavioural therapy using desensitisation and counter-conditioning

(possibly with pheromones as an adjunct).

• Long-term drug therapy, where required.

Guidance notes
Introduction
In a review of firework fears and phobias in the domestic dog, Blackwell et al (2005) found that 49% of dogs (n=383) had a fear of loud noises, with firework, thunder and gunshot noises being the most commonly represented. Many were fearful of several noises. Only 4% of those dogs affected had shown a spontaneous reduction in the fear/phobia symptoms. This indicates that there is a large population of dogs in the UK whose welfare is adversely affected by noise phobia, and which would benefit from consistent and effective management and treatment.

One element of the definition of a phobia is that it is a form of fear that does not diminish with repeated exposure to the stimulus, so this data apparently indicates that most of the dogs involved in the study had a genuine phobia of loud noises. However, the maximum permissible sound pressure level for fireworks in the UK (Fireworks Act, 2004) is 120dB at 15 metres, which is much higher than the maximum 97dB level recommended by charities such as the RSPCA. It is therefore probable that a proportion of dogs are not genuinely phobic, and in fact these dogs display a normal fear response to what is an intolerably intense sound stimulus.

No breed or sex difference was found, but older dogs and cross breeds had a higher incidence. Interestingly, Autumn-Winter born puppies had a lower incidence, presumably due to the benefit of early habituation to seasonal fireworks during puppyhood. This indicates that the use of recorded sounds may be beneficial for problem prevention in puppies.

There is accumulating evidence that treatment of phobias is possible, and as with any other medical problem it is the duty of veterinary surgeons to recommend and support evidence-based therapies for this noise fear/phobia in order that they improve the welfare of animals under their care.

Dealing with phobias is divided into short-term management and treatment. In many cases clients will not seek help until it is so close to a firework event that long-term drug and behaviour therapy will not be effective in time. So, the initial decision for many clinicians is what kind of short-term management to use.

However, clinicians should always aim to treat fears and phobias, rather than merely manage them, as these conditions have an impact on welfare and can become very severe. Health problems that cause pain, debilitation, sensory or cognitive impairment, or that have a direct or indirect effect on emotionality can influence the severity or pattern of expression of emotional disorders. It is therefore vital that the health status of animals showing fearful or phobic behaviour be investigated.

Short-term management
1.Behavioural

When afraid, dogs will attempt to escape from the source of their fear. They may become destructive or aggressive if their attempts to escape are thwarted; for example if they are locked into a room or restrained by the owner. Dogs with a fear or phobia of loud noises should be provided with unrestricted access to a place where they can hide. Fearful and phobic responses may also be reinforced or intensified by the behaviour of the dog’s owner. Attempts to soothe or comfort and animal when it is afraid can increase future expression of fearful behaviour. Attempts to coerce animals into confronting their fears, or to punish fearful behaviour will intensify fear. Owners should aim to remain relaxed and therefore provide a good role model to the animal when it is afraid.

2.Drugs

The aim of using short-term medication is to reduce the emotional impact of a fearful/phobic event without producing sedation, ataxia or hyper-excitability that might make the animal more difficult to manage. The emotional impact of a fearful/phobic event may be reduced either by reducing the dog’s emotional response to that event, or by altering its memory of it. In either case, the dog’s experience of the event is less likely to have a deleterious influence on future behaviour. Given that all short term medications used for phobia management are liable to produce adverse effects, some of which might be highly undesirable or even dangerous during a phobic event, it is essential that any drug used must be tested with an individual patient and the dose titrated to effect. It is generally inadvisable to leave animals unsupervised when they have been given short-term tranquillisers or anxiolytic drugs, especially during phobic events. Animals must not be left alone together if one of them has been given such a drug. For current drug doses please consult relevant formularies and texts.

Acepromazine (ACP)
ACP has, in the past, been used as a short-term tranquilliser during phobic events. However, it does not have anxiolytic properties and will therefore not alter the impact of an event unless the animal is rendered unconscious thoughout it. It is believed that immobilising an animal whilst leaving it aware of, and emotionally responsive, to a phobic event may intensify the experience and lead to worsening of phobia in the future. Oral dosing produces unreliable effects, and onset of action may vary between 15 and 60 minutes (BSAVA Formulary). High doses may be required in order to sedate a dog during a phobic event. High doses may lead to hypovolaemia, hyperexcitability and extrapyramidal side effects in some animals (BSAVA Formulary). For these reasons ACP is not considered suitable for the management of canine noise phobias.

Benzodiazepines
Diazepam produces short-term anxiolytic effects (GABA receptor agonism), and impairs the consolidation of short-term memory (NMDA receptor antagonism) so that events experienced immediately after a dose of the drug will be remembered less clearly (anterograde amnesia). The duration of amnesic effects is unknown but may be considered to last throughout the half-life of the drug. At low doses diazepam retains its amnesic effects, whilst at higher doses anxiolysis and sedation are achieved. Responses to diazepam are highly individual, so that dose response must be titrated. Action of onset is also variable (20-40 minutes), and diazepam should be given prior to an anticipated fearful or phobic event. Apart from medical cautions and adverse effects, diazepam may produce behavioural adverse effects of ataxia, hyperexcitability and disinhibition. Before giving this drug in advance of a phobic event at least one trial dose should be given to the animal, at a quiet and non-stressful time, in order to identify a dose effect, speed of onset, and any adverse effects. Diazepam is a schedule 4 controlled drug and there is no licensed oral veterinary preparation.

Triazolobenzodiazepines
Alprazolam (Xanax) produces broadly similar anxiolytic and anterograde amnesic effects to the benzodiazepine drug diazepam, through its effects on GABA and NMDA receptors. It is also a platelet activating factor antagonist, leading to retrograde amnesic effects (Saraf et al, 2003). It may be used in advance of an expected fearful or phobic event in the same way as diazepam. However, alprazolam may also be given after a phobic event in order to impair the dog’s memory of it (Crowell-Davies, 2003). It may therefore be used to block the effects of unanticipated phobic events in order to prevent them from having an emotional impact on the animal in the future. When used in this capacity the drug should be given as soon after the event as is safe and practical. The same cautions apply with this drug as with diazepam. At least one trial dose must be administered to the animal at a quiet, non-stressful time, in order to determine the correct dose, speed of onset and any adverse effects. Alprazolam is a schedule 4 controlled drug. There is no licensed veterinary preparation.

3.Pheromones
DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) is a synthetic analogue of a semiochemical produced by the bitch while she is lactating. It has anxiolytic properties in a number of situations (Gandia Estellés et al, 2006. Gaultier et al, 2005), and has been shown to reduce the signs of fearfulness during firework events (Sheppard et al, 2003). In this study DAP did not alleviate the more severe signs of anxiety, such as urination, and so it cannot be used as the sole treatment for phobia management. DAP has no known adverse effects and is not a licensed preparation. It may be safely combined with other treatments, such as benzodiazepines and triazolobenzodiazepines. DAP is available in the form of a diffuser and a collar. The diffuser is most useful for reducing fearfulness of dogs that are inside during a noise event, and, if positioned correctly, provides the dog with a location to go to in order to feel more secure. The diffuser must be installed at floor level in a location where the animal can get access to it at all times.

Long-term therapy
Fears and phobias may be managed on a short-term basis, but once the firework season, or other period of phobic exposure, comes to an end it is important to treat the problem so that it is less severe in the future. Behavioural therapy, sometimes combined with medication or pheromones, can achieve this.

1.Behavioural
Desensitisation and counterconditioning have been shown to be safe and effective methods for the treatment of fears and phobias of fireworks. In a study to evaluate the effectiveness of owner-administered behavioural therapy using recorded sounds Levine et al (2007) showed that such programmes could significantly reduce signs of fear in sound sensitive dogs, without the need for specialist support. One of the products in this study achieved consistently positive results across all tests and 93% of owners indicated that they had seen an improvement in their dog’s behaviour at the end of the trial. There were differences in the performance of the two products tested in this study, and it is likely that poorly designed recordings and treatment programmes will be less effective. Poorly managed therapy has the potential to make a problem worse, rather than better, and well designed products will provide owners with guidance on severity of a problem and the need for veterinary involvement should it be more severe or likely to have a medical basis. It is therefore recommended that owners be supplied with a commercially produced product that is properly designed, supported by evidence of efficacy and that provides responsible guidance regarding the need for additional specialist support and treatment. Desensitisation must be followed by counter-conditioning in order to consolidate any behavioural improvement. In order for behavioural therapy to work, the animal must be healthy, cognitively normal and in a relaxed state during the training.

2.Drugs

Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepine drugs may be used to reduce the emotional impact of events experienced during therapy, in order to prevent a relapse and to ensure that the animal only learns for events that are non-phobic and properly controlled. Diazepam can reduce anxiety and reduce the impact of memories of events that occur in the period immediately after dosing, so this drug is useful for events that can be anticipated.

Alprazolam also has retrograde amnesic events and can therefore be used to limit the impact of events that are unexpected. In such situations the dog is given a dose of the drug as soon as possible after an event that elicits fear or anxiety that does not subside within a few minutes. If the dog returns to normal exploratory behaviour, playing, investigating its environment in a normal manner, then the drug is not required. This provides owners with a safety net so that they can prevent a relapse during therapy. It is also advisable for owners to use alprazolam in the same manner after therapy is completed.

Selegiline (Selgian, CEVA Animal Health) is licensed for the treatment of behavioural disorders with an emotional origin, which includes fears and phobias. It is the only licensed preparation for the treatment of sound phobia problems. This drug reduces fearfulness, increases exploratory behaviour and has positive effects on cognition even in healthy animals. It takes 4-8 weeks to begin to become effective, and is a useful adjunct to behavioural therapy, especially in individuals that are frequently exposed to noise events, show signs of a generalisation or are inhibited in situations when they are fearful or anxious. For example, the drug might be used to increase the confidence of a dog that has become afraid of going outside after dark due to a number of fearful experiences. Clinicians should consult the current data sheet for full information, including warnings and dosing.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Other, non-licensed, preparations are also sometimes used for the long-term treatment of phobia. These include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs sertraline and fluvoxamine. These drugs should only be used when there is a specific behavioural or medical reason not to use the licensed preparation and there is published or expert support for their use. In general, serotonergic drugs are used when anticipation of an adverse event (anxiety) has a greater effect on the animal’s behaviour than actual fear; i.e. the dog is often anxious in situations where there is very little likelihood of a phobic event. They can also be indicated when the animal’s response to the stimulus is characterised by elements of panic.

3.Pheromones
DAP has been shown to be effective in assisting the response to behavioural therapy. By reducing the dog’s general level of anxiety the pheromone provides a reassuring environment within which the animal is more likely to respond to behavioural therapy.

4.Herbal and homeopathic drugs, and food supplements
Noise phobias are serious conditions that have a great impact on the welfare of animals. If managed incorrectly, they tend to be progressive and can become so severe as to warrant the euthanasia of some animals. Given that an evidence base exists for conventional drugs and behavioural therapies, a clinician should not prescribe an unproven alternative that directly or indirectly results in the worsening of a behavioural problem. There is no peer-reviewed evidence for the efficacy of herbal or homeopathic drugs, or food supplements in the management or treatment of noise phobias. They should not be considered to be suitable for the treatment of noise fears and phobias.

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:19 am

A veterinary graduate who won a research scholarship from Cats Protection for her study into feline anxiety will be presenting her findings at the International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting (IVBM) in Edinburgh this week.

Gemma Patel, who recently completed her degree in Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool, will present results of a pilot study investigating whether a synthetic feline facial pheromone, Felifriend^®, reduces anxiety-related behaviour during the examination of cats in a Cats Protection adoption centre.

She will present the study as a long-spoken paper on Friday 30th October,12.00pm to 12.30pm at the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel in Edinburgh.

Gemma conducted her research during the summer of 2008 at the charity’s National Cat Adoption Centre in Chelwood Gate, Sussex, after she was selected as the winner of Cats Protection’s Veterinary Student Research Scholarship earlier in the year.

Gemma observed cats during admissions examinations, shortly after being placed into Cats Protection care, and scored their behaviour on a seven point scale based on a published cat stress score (CSS). The individual examining the cats either had Felifriend^® or a placebo sprayed onto their gloves, which were put on shortly before examination.

The results indicated that using Felifriend^® usage may reduce behavioural signs of anxiety during handling and improve feline welfare in the initial acclimatisation period when cats arrive at the centre.

Beth Skillings, Cats Protection’s Clinical Veterinary Officer said: “Cats Protection was very pleased to hear that Gemma had been accepted to present her work at such a prestigious conference as the IVBM. It is a great testament to her hard work, and to have the value of such research recognised is extremely positive.

“As a charity that looks after 7,000 cats at any one time, we know that cats experience acute stress when entering a new and unfamiliar environment such as an adoption centre while they await new homes. Minimising this stress for these cats, while performing vital examinations to ensure their physical health, is crucial to help them settle during those important early stages.

“We hope that Gemma’s pilot study will help to pave the way for future studies looking at ways of reducing feline anxiety.”

Cats Protection has joined forces with Feliway^® in 2009 to bring the issue of feline stress to the attention of the cat owning public and to increase awareness of what can be done to make life easier for cats living in domestic homes. Veterinary behaviourist Sarah Heath is delighted that the subject is being given the prominence it deserves and hopes that a better understanding of how cats display stress will help owners to create more cat friendly environments within their homes.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and helps over 193,000 unwanted cats and kittens each year. The charity’s vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. More information about the charity can be found at www.cats.org.uk

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