The Tribune

By Dr Basil Sands Fear and anxiety are normal responses to danger. When these defensive reactions are out of proportion with the active threat presented by the situation, it is called a phobia. Physical changes that accompany phobias may be exaggerated, such as rapid breathing or extreme salivation. Panic may be displayed by frantic attempts to escape. There may be fear induced aggression that is directed towards anything or anyone that is too close or blocking a path for safety. Theses phobias may develop gradually over a period of time after several bad experiences and they may appear immediately during or after the first experience. When your pet has developed a phobia to something, it rarely resolves without some veterinary intervention. Fear of the Veterinary Hospital I am often reminded by the client how their dog starts to change their personality when they turn the corner to my hospital. Most pets will develop some anxiety when they visit the veterinarian. If the visit is made because of medical problems, your pets may sense your concern. An element of fearful anticipation is normal in unfamiliar situations. When the discomfort of an injection or post operative pain, or anxiety from separation and confinement becomes associated with the veterinary hospital, subsequent visits can trigger a negative response. Your pet may express their fear by attempting to escape or becoming somewhat aggressive. Some pets become frozen by fear displaying unusually calm and passive behavior. It is helpful to get your pet used to being in the car and the pet carrier. Make frequent short trips to the hospital that do not end in pain for discomfort. If your pet is hospitalized ask the employees at the veterinary hospital to spent time playing and petting your pet during the day. Give your pet a special treat at the time of the veterinary visit. Fear of Automobile Travel A pet may be anxious because of confinement in restricted spaces, the motion of the car or the anticipation of its destination e.g. the vet's office, To get your pet adapted to car travel you can do the following: 1: Spend sometime in a parked car with the ignition off. 2: Feed your pet a few meals in the car or some other interaction like petting, or brushing the animal. 3: When your pet is relaxed and comfortable in the parked car, turn on the motor without driving. Gradually extend brief trips around the block and then proceed further and further. 4: If necessary your vet can prescribe a sedative to calm your pet. Fear of Thunderstorms, Fireworks and Loud Noises Fear of thunder and loud noises may be instinctive in many animals, driving them to seek immediate shelter. In their attempt to find safety pets may damage property and injure themselves. Dogs will scratch, chew, and jump over or even throw themselves through barriers such as windows or doors to reach a place of refuge. Pets can be trained not to panic during thunder storms by exposing the pet to recordings of the noise at low volume. This process is called progressive desensitization and they slowly learn a more desirable response to thunder and loud noises. Commercial recordings of thunder storms are available in music stores. This process must be gradual to be effective. During this process we may wish to give treats. Medication to relieve anxiety may be helpful during this process. Fear of Unfamiliar Places or People Unfamiliar situations and people are unnerving to many pets. A pet's territorial and social nature combined with past experiences in new places with new people help to determine its reaction. A dog that is confined or has limited opportunity to socialize with other dogs will develop antisocial behavior. The initial period of socialization to people is between 6 to 14 weeks. Young puppies must be exposed to people during this crucial period. In kittens the age is even younger. A young pet should be exposed to a variety of social situations early in life to prevent problems later on, but it should not be forced to endure any situations that may make it uncomfortable. Fear of Other Pets A pet that as had previous negative experiences may fear interaction with other pets. Cats or dogs that have been raised without exposure to other pets may react negatively in social situations with other pets. When a pet exhibits an extremely fearful response to other dogs or cats, attempts can be made to desensitize the animal by exposure to the feared animal for gradually increasing periods similar to the process used for loud noises.