Anxiety Disorders

Diagnosis: Signs occur exclusively when the dog is separated from the owner or left alone. Classic signs include destruction near exit points, vocalization, inappropriate elimination, hypersalivation, and escape attempts.

Differentiation from boredom: SA dogs show signs within minutes of departure. Bored dogs may be destructive but do not show autonomic signs (salivation, elimination). Video recording is the gold standard for diagnosis.

Treatment: Graduated departures (seconds to minutes), counterconditioning to pre-departure cues, environmental enrichment, and in severe cases, medication (fluoxetine 1–2 mg/kg daily, clomipramine 2–3 mg/kg daily).

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Chronic state of worry, hypervigilance, and poor adaptability. Affected dogs startle easily, have difficulty settling, and may show fear in multiple contexts. Treatment involves environmental modification, predictability in routine, and SSRIs (fluoxetine).

Social fear / inadequate socialization: Fear of unfamiliar people, dogs, or environments. Critical socialization period is 3–12 weeks. Lack of exposure during this window leads to lifelong fear responses. Treatment: gradual desensitization, counterconditioning, and medication if severe.

Before diagnosing a primary behavioral disorder, rule out:

• Hypothyroidism: Can present as aggression, lethargy, or behavioral change. Check T4 + cTSH.
• Chronic pain: Osteoarthritis, dental disease, GI discomfort → irritability, withdrawal, aggression.
• Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS): Age > 9 years, disorientation, sleep-wake cycle disturbance, house soiling, altered interactions.
• Seizure-related anxiety: Focal seizures (fly-biting, tail-chasing, episodic fear) may mimic anxiety.