i Love Dogs (iLD) premium canine supplements features a helpful tool permitting me to connect to pet owners on a worldwide basis. As behavior problems often have underlying correlations with medical abnormalities (like those causing pain), it is vitally important that we veterinarians strive to explore and resolve ailments while trying to promote better behavior.The article originally appeared as: Could Pain Issues Be Causing Aggression and Anxiety?
We have had our son’s dogs Cali and Bud since last June, when my son moved out of state. He’s planning on taking them back when he gets settled, but in the meantime, I have a concern.
Bud is a nearly 6-year-old male Pit Bull-Labrador mix. He has been through a lot over the years — he moved around a lot with our son, and has undergone two ACL repairs. He is so sweet and calm at home with Cali, a 2 1/2-year-old female Basset Hound, my hubby and I, but he gets very anxious at times.
Because of his anxiety issues, I’m a bit of a nervous Nellie about boarding him for a week this summer. He can act aggressive at times, from what I believe to be nerves that get the best of him. When he was little, we boarded him at a lady’s home several times with absolutely no issues. He had such a blast! But things have changed after the surgeries and with his advancing age.
I walk him with a muzzle because I want to be proactive, though my husband doesn’t use one. We’ve had him on Clomicalm 75 mg once to twice a day for about two years, but we’re wondering if it’s just placebo at this point. Should we give him something stronger to relax him while boarding?
We are planning on reserving an indoor/outdoor run with him and Cali in the same run, and they’ll be there for about eight days. We want to do a few “trial” overnights at the kennel, but I’m really starting to worry about it. He’s such a sweetheart, and I don’t want anything to happen. Do you have any advice for us?
–Ellen C.
Hi Ellen,
Thank you for your question. Managing behavior problems is a challenge that many pet owners face.
Unfortunately, the resolution of behavior issues is never an easy process, as there are many potential reasons why dogs might exhibit undesirable behavior. Often, “bad” pet conduct is not exclusively due to a primary behavior problem. In clinical practice, when a patient presents with behavior problems, we veterinarians must always strive to rule out the possibility that underlying disease conditions could be contributing factors.
This is something I have been called upon to do many times on the Animal Planet television show “My Cat From Hell.” Although you may only see me for a brief moment on the show, I’m there behind the scenes, striving to look deep into my patients’ bodies for health ailments in need of better management and following up as appropriate.
I’m sorry to hear that Bud has created such a challenge for your household. As Bud has undergone two surgical procedures to repair his damaged cranial (anterior) cruciate ligaments, we have to consider that there may be an issue with chronic pain in his knees that could be (in part) contributing to discomfort that may be associated with his anxious behavior.
If you’re not already doing so, I suggest you work with your veterinarian to promote Bud’s best joint health and comfort. As my primary veterinary practice involves pain management (including needle and laser acupuncture), I strive to reduce my patients’ reliance on medications by being highly focused on enhancing joint health through the use of nutraceuticals. Those that are used most commonly are glucosamine/chondroitin combinations and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil).
Many of my patients (including my own dog, Cardiff) take i Love Dogs Glucosamine & Chondroitin with Green Tea and Reishi, as it supports joint health and enhances immune system function. The synergy of these products has permitted the majority of my patients to require less frequent dosing of anti-inflammatory or opioid-based pain medications.
If Bud currently takes Clomicalm but it is not creating the effect you desire, then I would suggest speaking directly with your veterinarian about other options for behavior-modifying medications and techniques. Alternatively, as it sounds as though this issue has been going on for some time, you may need help beyond that which your regular veterinarian can provide. In that case, I suggest pursuing a consultation with a board-certified veterinary behavior specialist. To find a behavior specialist, visit the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) website. Besides using medication, a veterinary behaviorist can teach you techniques to modify Bud’s behavior and help him become more well-adjusted to his environment and to other dogs.
Good luck,
Dr. Mahaney
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