A NOTE ON DRUGS MODIFYING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR IN DOGS AND CATS

Common behavioural disorders noticed in companion animal species are aggression, house
soiling, excessive vocalization, nocturnal restlessness, separation anxiety, fears, noise phobias,
cognitive dysfunction syndrome (neurodegenerative disorder), repetitive and compulsive disorders.
Pharmacological treatment for any abnormal behavioural disorders/conditions in pets is most
useful when combined with behavior modification. Factors associated with animal behavioral
disorders like etiology, predisposing factors, condition and the owners cooperation should be
taken in to consideration before selecting a suitable pharmacological agent for behavioural
abnormalities in small animals
The potential adverse reactions of drugs can be minimized by performing a premedication
hematological examination, urinalysis, and serum biochemistry profile and by taking a
complete behavioral and medical history.
Majority of the drugs prescribed for behavioural problems in pets are unlicensed and not
registered for veterinary use and are used in an extra-label fashion., with few exceptions.
Clients must be made aware of this and informed consent forms should be obtained before
initiating the treatment.

Drugs should always be considered as an adjunct to behaviour modification therapy, not as a

replacement/ substitute.

Client compliance is important as behaviour modifying drugs may take up to six to eight
weeks to reach therapeutic blood concentrations.
Drug therapy should always be gradually withdrawn.
An overview of the classes of medications used in behavioural abnormalities of dogs and cats are
shortlisted in this article.
Benzodiazepines ( BZDs):

The agents are oxazepam, clorazepate, lorazepam, temazepam, clonazepam, diazepam and
alprazolam, the last two being most commonly indicated for treatment of anxiety related
behaviour problems like urine spraying and short treatment for sound phobias (eg: fireworks,
thunderstorms).

Diazepam produces short-term anxiolytic effects and at low doses diazepam retains its
amnesic effects, while at higher doses anxiolysis and sedation are achieved. Responses to
diazepam are highly individual, so that dose response must be titrated.

Diazepam should be given prior to an anticipated fearful or phobic event. Adverse effects areataxia, hyperexcitability and disinhibition.

Alprazolam may also be used in advance or given after a phobic event in order to impair
the dogs memory of it. 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.

Contraindicated in states of hepatic and renal impairment and for long term use .

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors(MAOIs):

Selegiline is used for the treatment of behavioural disorders with an emotional origin, which
includes fears and phobias.

It 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

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):

Clomipramine and amitryptilline are the TCAs licensed for use in veterinary medicine.,
commonly used
for separation anxiety, anxiety-related aggression, urination due to
submission or excitement, allergy-related pruritus, urine marking and hypervocalization.

Side effects: short term lethargy or sedation, mild and intermittent vomiting which is usually
transient and increases or decreases in appetite.

Antihistaminic effect of these agents may be a useful adjunct in controlling pruritus due to
atopy and food allergies.

Contraindicated in animals with seizures, urinary retention or history of cardiac arrythmias

and within two weeks of administration of a MAOI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):

Fluoxetine, sertraline and fluvoxamine are used for treating psychogenic alopecia, allergyrelated pruritus, anxiety related conditions, dominance-related aggression, fearful behaviors,
obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and urine marking.

Fluoxetine is approved drug in dogs, for inter-dog aggression and the treatment of obsessivecompulsive disorders in dogs. It reduces the clearance of diazepam, its active metabolite
nordiazepam and alprazolam, so concurrent use should be avoided.

Azapirones:

Buspirone is the only member, advocated for treatment of mild to moderate anxiety related
problems and urine spraying in dogs and cats.

Contraindicated in case of renal, hepatic impairment, epileptics, allergic reactions and

caution is needed as treatment can lead to an increase in aggression as it may decrease the
inhibitory effects of fear.

It is ineffective in cases such as sound phobias or separation anxiety in dogs.

Beta blockers:

Propranolol and pindolol are, indicated in treatment of situational anxieties in dogs and cats,
used before the anticipated situation occurs. They are contraindicated in animals with cardiac
disease, hypotension, and bronchospasm.

Antiepileptics

These are the mood-stabilizing drugs, primarily indicated in those cases where epileptic
activity is in the etiology of the condition .

These agents ( phenobarbitone, carbamazepine, and valproic acid) are unrelated chemical
compounds that are used in human medicine to treat bipolar disorder, impulsivity, emotional
reactivity, and aggression.

Carbamazepine has been used in cats to decrease fear-related aggression against people, but
it may paradoxically increase aggression against same species.

Lithium (75 mg total dose, bid) has been used to treat dominance-related aggression and
psychotic behavior (random air-snapping, pawing) in Cocker spaniels; has narrow therapeutic
index exhibiting side effects like polyuria, polydipsia, memory problems, weight gain, and
diarrhea

Hormonal preparations:

Progestins should only be given to neutered animals and avoided in diabetes mellitus,
breeding animals and with concurrent corticosteroid use.

The antiandrogen commonly used is delmadinone acetate.

Cabergoline has antiprolactin effects and is recommended for the treatment of

pseudopregnancy in bitches and in spayed bitches with aggressive behaviour attributable to
elelvated prolactin levels.

Antihistamines:

They are useful in the management of mild anxiety associated with travel, inappropriate night
time activity and anxiety conditions in which pruritus plays a important role.

Contraindicated in animals with glaucoma, urinary retention and hyperthyroidism.

Diphenhydramine and cyproheptadine are the H1receptor antagonists that are successful in
some cases of spraying in cats.

Alpha adrenoceptor stimulants:

Phenylpropanolamine used in the treatment of sphincter mechanism incompetence in bitches

and used to manage house soiling in these cases. Increased aggression is the possible side
effect.

Alpha adrenoceptor antagonists:

Nicergoline is advocated for sleep disorders, diminished vigour and fatigue.

It should not be administered within 24 hours of using alpha 2 agonists such as xylazine or
medetomidine.

Xanthine derivatives:

Propentofylline is licensed for canine age related behavioural changes such as dullness,
lethargy and cognitive decline

Response to treatment is better if combination therapy with selegiline is used.

Neuroleptics (Antipsychotic agents):

Low potency phenothiazine tranqillisers (acepromazine, chlorpromazine, and thioridazine

hydrochloride) commonly used for sedation and restraint purpose, have side effects of
sedation, anticholinergic effects, and -adrenergic blockade.

High-potency agents (haloperidol, fluphenazine, trifluoperazine hydrochloride,

prochlorperazine, thiothixene, risperidone) result in less sedation and fewer autonomic side
effects but commonly result in extrapyramidal effects.

Acepromazine is used as a short-term tranquilliser during phobic events related with fireworks
and thunderstorms and travel associated behaviour problems.

It is believed that immobilising an animal while leaving it aware of, and emotionally
responsive, to a phobic event may intensify the experience and lead to worsening of phobia in
the future.

High doses which may be required in order to sedate a dog; may result in hypovolaemia,
hyperexcitability and extrapyramidal side effects.
Dosage of drugs used in behavioural abnormalities of dogs and cats.

Class of drug
Dog
BZDs: Diazepam
0.55 -2..2 mg/kg, po sid-bid
Alprazolam
0.01-0.1mg/kg, po,bid
Oxazepam
0.2 1.0 mg/kg, po,sid-bid
Clonazepam
0.1 - 0.5 mg/kg, po, sid-bid
Clorazepate
0.01-0.1 mg/kg, po, bid
TCAs: Amitriptyline
1-2mg/kg, po,bid
Clomipramine
1-3mg/kg, po,bid
Nortriptyline
0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg po,sid-bid
Doxepin
3-5mg/kg.po,bid
SSRIs: Fluoxetine
0.5-1mg/kg,po,sid
Fluvoxamine
1-2mg/kg,po,sid
Sertraline
1-2mg/kg,po,bid
Paroxetine
1mg/kg, po, sid
Azapirones: Buspirone
1mg.kg, po,bid-tid
MAOIs: Selegiline
0.5-1mg/kg, po,sid
Beta blockers: Propranolol
0.5-3mg/kg,po,bid
Pindolol
0.125-0.25mg/kg,po, bid
Antiepileptics: Phenobarbitone
1-8mg/kg,po,bid
Carbamazepine
4-8 mg/kg,po,bid
CNS
stimulants: 0.2-1.3mg/kg po,bid
Dextroamphetamine
Methylphendiate
2-4 mg/kg,po,bid
Dopamine2 receptor agonists
Cabergoline
5 mg/kg,po,sid
Alpha adrenoceptor stimulants
Phenylpropanolamine
1.1-4.4 mg/kg,po,bid
Alpha adrenoceptor antagonists
Nicergoline
250-500 g /kg,po,sid
Xanthine derivatives
Propentofylline
2.5-5 mg/kg,po, bid
Antihistamines

Cat
0.2 - 0.4 mg/kg po ,sid-bid
0.125 - 0.25 mg/cat, po bid
0.2 - 0.5 mg/kg po, sid-bid
0.016 mg/kg sid-qid
0.125-0.25 mg/kg po bid
0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg po, sid
0.25 - 0.5 mg/kg po, sid
0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg po,sid-bid
0.5-2.0mg/kg/po,bid
0.5-1 mg/kg po sid
0.25 upto 1- 2 mg/kg, po, bid
1mg/kg, po, sid
0.5-1mg/kg,po,bid,(< 5mg/cat)
0.5-1mg/kg, po,sid
0.2-1mg/kg,po,bid
1-2.5mg/kg,bid
Total 25mg, po,bid
1-1.5
1.1-4.4 mg
total dose-1.25mg, po, bid
total dose-12.5mg, po, sid

Cyproheptadine
Chlorpheniramine
Diphenhydramine
Progestins: Megestrol Acetate
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

0.4 - 0.5 mg/kg, po bid

2 - 4mg/cat bid-tid
220g/kg, po,bid
1-2 mg/kg, po bid-tid
0.4 - 0.5 mg/kg po bid
2 - 4mg/cat bid-tid
2.5 - 5 mg ,po sid
2.5 - 5 mg ,po sid
10 mg/kg(female) ;20 (male) SC 10(females); 20 (males) mg/kg,
max : 3 injections per year
sc max. 3 injections per year
Neuroleptics: Acepromazine
0.5-2.25mg/kg, po, tid
1.13-2.25mg/kg, po, tid
po=oral, IV=intravenous, SC=subcutaneous, bid= twice a day, tid=three times a day, sid= once daily
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