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Angst bij een bezoek aan de dierenartsenpraktijk

Veel dieren ervaren angst bij een bezoek aan de dierenarts. Tijdens de 11e International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting (IVBM) 2017 werden er verschillende onderzoeken gepresenteerd over het effect van de omgang met de dieren in de dierenartsenpraktijk en de toepasbaarheid van snelwerkende psychofarmaca. Zowel aanpassingen aan de omgeving, als gedragsmodificatie en psychofarmaca kunnen goed ingezet worden om een bezoek aan de dierenarts minder beangstigend te maken voor het dier.

Als het dier eenmaal een positieve associatie heeft gelegd met het bezoek aan de dierenarts, is dat bevorderlijk voor het welzijn van het dier. Daarnaast is het goud waard voor de klantenbinding. Tot slot bespaart u tijd, doordat het dier zich veel beter zal laten onderzoeken en behandelen, en zullen zowel dierenartsen als paraveterinairen meer plezier ervaren in hun werk.

Dit artikel biedt u de basis voor het vormen van een plan van aanpak om angst voor de dierenarts te remmen. Daarbij leert u hoe u hierbij kortwerkende psychofarmaca kunt inzetten.

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Vijf psychofarmaca waar iedere dierenarts bekend mee zou moeten zijn

Wereldwijd is diergedrag een onderbelicht onderwerp binnen de studie diergeneeskunde. Dit terwijl veel fysieke problemen zich uiten in veranderingen in gedrag. Gedragsproblemen nemen toe met de tijd. Vroegtijdig en adequaat ingrijpen is daarom van groot belang. Met behulp van psychofarmaca kan het leervermogen van dieren verbeterd worden, zodat gedragsmodificatie sneller effect heeft en meer kans van slagen. Met angst onderdrukkende medicatie kan het leven van het dier minder moeilijk gemaakt worden. Tijdens het seminar Veterinary Behavioural Medicine maart 2016 sprak Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, DACVB, Senior Research Scientist, Biology Department, University of Pennsylvania, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, vol passie over dit onderwerp en belichtte vijf psychofarmaca die kunnen helpen bij honden en katten met gedragsproblemen.

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Preventing Kitten Development Problems

This article discusses the different aspects of kitten development, concentrating on socialisation and kitten behaviour, as well as what makes cats and kittens unique and not just small dogs! Their particular motivations and behavioural needs can lead to problems if not understood.

Getting The Environment Right

This article will ensure vets understand what type of environment kittens require, and so how to educate clients properly, leading to happier cat-owner relationships and hopefully better vet-owner relationships too.

Leraar zonder bewerken: André Romijn

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Food Toys – More than just a game!

Top of the list of essential items for any new dog owner will usually be a food bowl, however dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages can benefit from receiving at least some of their daily food rations from food toys. In this article we take a look at the pros and cons of food toys for dogs, owners and as a retail sales line for the veterinary surgery.

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Behaviour medicine articles

Separation-related problems in dogs

Upon finding evidence that their dogs destroy property, vocalize, or soil the house when they are away, many owners become concerned their dogs have separation anxiety. They may try popular treatments for separation anxiety with little or no success. Unbeknownst to many, there are several possible (and very different) causes for separation-related behaviours, and not all are related to an anxiety at being left alone.

Obedience in Dogs

Although the majority of dogs are eager to learn many owners struggle with obedience issues. Training dogs to be obedient not only benefits dog owners but provides mental stimulation and a home life structure for dogs. There are a number of different reasons why dogs may not always be obedient. Often it is thought that the dog is being deliberately disobedient as ‘they know what to do’. However scientific research doesn’t support the theory than animals refuse to perform out of a deliberate attempt to undermine the owner. Instead, our natural instinct to attribute human thoughts and reasoning to animals can be misleading. In most cases it is that the dog doesn’t really understand what is being asked or is not sufficiently motivated to respond. This often comes down to inconsistency in training, ineffective use of rewards or an over reliance on punishment to control behaviour.

Tail Docking Research: The Long and Short of It

The docking of dogs’ tails is considered a fairly controversial topic. Many reasons for and against the practice are put forth, often based in anecdote. While anecdotes are useful in highlighting docking’s potential benefits and risks, empirical research can provide us with a more accurate assessment. This article provides a summary of research that may be applied to canine tail docking, considering the potential physical and behavioural risks and benefits. Whether you’re deciding if you or your practice will perform this procedure, or would like to know more so you can best advise your clients, you’ll find much to consider!

Dog Safety for Children

We’ve all seen the shocking pictures of what can happen to children who are victims of dog attacks, yet many families assume that the dogs in these attacks must be untrained, abused or of a particular aggressive breed. This assumption leads many parents to believe their children will always be safe around their own or other known dogs. However with dog attacks rising to around 6,000 a year in the UK and the deaths of four children since 2007 in the UK from attacks within the home, it is apparent that this is not the case. More often than not, attacks on children involve much trusted family pets reported to have attacked without warning. In truth, even the most tolerant child friendly dog can behave aggressively in some circumstances. However understanding when such situations may occur and recognising some basic dog behaviour signals allows children to be protected from this danger.

Enrichments for cats in the home

Cats are often viewed as independent pets. Perhaps as a result of this, many cat owners do not specifically provide much for their physical and psychological needs. This can lead to welfare problems as they may become frustrated, obese, stressed, or bored. Fortunately, owners can learn to successfully fulfill their pets’ needs through providing a variety of enrichments.

Muzzle Training

Muzzling is often resented by owners and dogs, but this is often because a muzzle is only used in high stress situations with a dog who feels the need to be aggressive to protect or defend itself from what is going on. It can be difficult to fit the muzzle to an already aroused dog, putting people at risk and adding to the unpleasant experience for the dog. However, if training is done properly (and this really isn’t very hard to do) dogs can look forward to being muzzled, everyone can be safe and the dog can receive the best possible treatment from the vet.

‘Calming signals’ and distress in dogs

The concept of ‘calming signals’ in dogs was popularised by Turid Ruugas, as “signals dogs use to ‘calm’ others in the environment”. Earlier, Chance referred to a similar category of signals as cutoff signals that “postpone or break off agonistic conflict”. As such, ‘calming signals’ are commonly interpreted in the popular literature as behaviours that dogs use to manage agonistic interactions with conspecifics and humans but also, more broadly, as proxy indicators of a dog’s distress.

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