Rolan Tripp DVM Canine Aggression Diagnosis Veterinary Staff

Rolan Tripp, DVM Canine Aggression Diagnosis

Veterinary Staff are at increased risk for injury due to canine aggression.

Canine Aggression § Aggression is the most common canine behavior problem referred to veterinary behavior consultants. § The insurance industry pays an estimated $1 billion per year in dogbite liability claims through home owner policies. § Rolan Tripp, DVM Newsmagazine 3

Rolan Tripp, DVM Whittier Daily News 8 -5 -02 4

Determine severity of bites § § § § Left a mark? Punctured skin? Multiple rapid bites? Deep bite and thrash? Going for face or throat? Number of bites in dog’s lifetime? Any fatalities? Rolan Tripp, DVM 5

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CDC Data Rolan Tripp, DVM 7

Comparing the Risk… § “A special kind of horror is reserved for mothers who kill their children. Susan Smith, who drowned her two young sons by driving her car into a lake became a media sensation. Unfortunately, in addition to these high -profile cases, hundreds of mothers kill their children in the United States each year” • From: Amazon. com Editorial Review of • Mothers Who Kill Their Children by Cheryl L. Meyer & Michelle Oberman Rolan Tripp, DVM 8

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Aggression § Definition… “Violence or the threat of violence. ” § Diagnosis… “Take a history before you take a life. ” Determine… “Context” And Motivational Diagnosis Rolan Tripp, DVM 11

25 Sub-Types of Aggression § § § § Agonistic Barrier Frustration Competitive Displaced Dominance Drug Influenced Encephalopathic Epileptic Fear/Defensive Food Guarding Hormonally Influenced § Idiopathic § Improperly Socialized § § Rolan Tripp, DVM 12

25 Sub-Types of Aggression § § § § Irritable/Discomfort Maternal Protective Owner Protective Pack Response Pain Induced Play Escalation Possessive § § § Predatory Senile Territorial Trained Unintentionally Learned Rolan Tripp, DVM 13

“Brutus” § Signalment: 5 yr old, 110 lb Male Intact Mixed Breed (Mix of - Rottweiler, Akita & Char Pei) No training or early socialization experience § Problem list: Hypothyroid; Chronic otitis externa § Presented for: Recheck ears and thyroid levels, adjust Prednisone dose. Restrained by owner w/ pronged pinch collar § Problem: Cannot be handled, barks and threatens anyone entering exam room. Growls at owner’s attempts to calm. § Other: Previous painful experiences; doesn’t like Bob. Ms brings treats in a Ziploc as requested. Rolan Tripp, DVM 14

What sub-types of aggression does “Brutus” have? § § § § Agonistic Barrier Frustration Competitive Displaced Dominance Drug Influenced Encephalopathic Epileptic Fear/Defensive Food Guarding Hormonally Influenced § Idiopathic § Improperly Socialized § § Rolan Tripp, DVM 15

What sub-types of aggression does “Brutus” have? § § § § Irritable/Discomfort Maternal Protective Owner Protective Pack Response Pain Induced Play Escalation Possessive § § § Predatory Senile Territorial Trained Unintentionally Learned Rolan Tripp, DVM 16

Aggression Dx for Brutus § § § Agonistic Barrier Frustration Drug Influenced Dominance Fear/Defensive Food Guarding § Hormonally Influenced § Improperly Socialized § Irritable (Discomfort) § Owner Protective § Pain Induced § Territorial § Unintentionally Learned Rolan Tripp, DVM 17

Impulse Dyscontrol Aggression § Anxiety or Dominance related § Lack of Warning § Unpredictability (O point of view) § Lack of Inhibition = serious attack § May be called, “Rage Syndrome. ” Rolan Tripp, DVM 18

Aggression in the Hospital § Defends the exam room § Defending owner § Fearful in exam room § Owner can’t apply a muzzle § Barking in the reception area § Male Urine Marking § Backed into kennel. Rolan Tripp, DVM 19

Preventing Aggression Raising a gentle adult dog begins with socialization and gentle handling as a puppy. Rolan Tripp, DVM 20

Summary Diagnosing aggression depends on a careful history, and analysis of the context of the conflict. Rolan Tripp, DVM 21

Additional Resources www. Animal. Behavior. Net Animal Behavior Network Membership “Pet Perception Management” Manual Rolan Tripp, DVM RTripp@Animal. Behavior. Net Ph (800) 372 -3706 Rolan Tripp, DVM 22