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Fears, Phobias, and Anxieties
Author Jacqueline C. Neilson, D.V.M., DACVB
Subject Animal
Behavior
Day 2/13/01
Time 10:00:00
Western Veterinary
Conference
Introduction
A fear is feeling of
apprehension resulting from some
stimulus; a phobia is a profound fear
reaction which is
inappropriate to the threat of the stimulus and an
anxiety is
a anticipation of a danger. Our companion animals exhibit
all
three of these states and they can cause significnat danger
and damage.
Discussion
Genetic factors,
inadequate early experience, adverse
expereinces and owner
reinforcement can all contribute to the
formation of fearful behavior.
When an animal is fearful they
may exhibit signs consistent with
submission or dominance You
may witness flight, fight, freeze, pacing,
hypersalivation,
elimination, destruction, vocalization secondary as
part of
the fearful response.
Common
categories of fearful behavior in our companion animals
include: fear
of noises; fear of inanimate stimuli; fear of
unfamiliar people; fear
of certain situations/places; fear of
being left alone.
The basic
behaivoral modification plan that should be
implemented in most cases
invovles desensitization and
counterconditioning. Drug therapy with
serotonin enhancing
drugs or benzodiazepines may be beneficial at
internally
reducing anxiety.
Summary
Fears, phobias and
anxieties are common problems in our
dompanion animals. Identification
of the triggers for the
anxiety and implementation of a
desensitization and
counterconditioning protocol is indicated in the
management of
these types of problems.
Key Principles
- Must
identify trigger for fear/anxiety/phobia.
- Try avoid
triggering fear/anxiety/phobia.
- Implement
a desensitization and counterconditioning program.
- Avoid
inadvertently reinforcing a fearful behavior by
comforting animal.
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