The Pet Behaviour Chat

Episode 57 – Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

Following on from episode 55, where I spoke about Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, this episode is dedicated to our senior feline patients and how Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome is absolutely something to consider when living with or caring for an older cat.

In this episode you will learn:

1.      The different clinical scale used in cats – VISHDAAL versus DISHAA (for dogs)

2.      What actually happens in the brains of older cats to cause this neurodegenerative disease

3.      What treatment options are available to our senior feline patients

4.      Why play and Behaviour Modification is SO important to older cats too

5.      How you can protect against Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome developing – you’d be surprised at how much can be done!!

Visit the Trinity website to get your hands on some amazing FREE RESOURCES HERE:

https://trinityvetbehaviour.com/free-resources/

We really hope you enjoy this episode; it is packed with so much information!

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Episode 56 – The Importance of Enrichment and Behavioural Diversity

Enrichment and Behavioural Diversity are 2 buzzwords that are used quite frequently when it comes to providing our pets with opportunities to express their behavioural needs.

In this episode, Ilse and I chat about what Enrichment and Behavioural Diversity actually are and whether the term “enrichment” is appropriate for what we should be providing for our pets on a daily basis.

We also talk about different types of “enrichment” as well as how these fit into not only our Behaviour Treatment Plans, but also our pets’ everyday lives.

You will be able to take away instant practical tips and solutions for YOUR pet’s or patient’s wellbeing, which you can implement immediately.

Here is what we talk about:

1.      Why “enrichment” might not be the best term when it comes to our pets’ behavioural needs.

2.      How different forms of “enrichment” can provide different outlets for behaviour.

3.      Why “contra freeloading” is an important concept to know about.

4.      How social enrichment is different for different species.

5.      How different types of enrichment can overlap to provide multiple benefits all at once.

Visit the Trinity website to get your hands on some amazing FREE RESOURCES HERE:

https://trinityvetbehaviour.com/free-resources/

We really hope you enjoy this episode; it is packed with so much information!

If you liked this episode of the show, The Pet Behaviour Chat, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!

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Episode 55 – Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome – Does Doggie Dementia Exist?

I love talking about senior pets and this is definitely a topic close to my heart!

As our pets age, their behaviours may change, and we need to understand what the causes of those behaviour changes may be.

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome is a neurodegenerative disease, which sadly cannot be cured, but can be treated to slow its progression and, in this episode, I chat to you about what you can do to achieve this.

In this episode I talk about:

1.      How many dogs are affected by Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

2.      What the expected behaviour changes look like – the DISHAA scale

3.      What changes occur in the brain

4.      What medications, supplements and diets can help slow down progression

5.      How environmental management, enrichment and mental stimulation can help

Visit the Trinity website to get your hands on some amazing FREE RESOURCES HERE:

https://trinityvetbehaviour.com/free-resources/

I really hope you enjoy this episode; it is packed with so much information!

If you liked this episode of the show, The Pet Behaviour Chat, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!

Facebook Group: Join The Pet Behaviour Community on Facebook

You can CONNECT with me:

Website: Visit my website

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Episode 54 – Street Cats – Should we “Rescue” or “Home” them?

This is a big topic with many opinions to consider from different stakeholders.

Nora and I chat about our experiences of this topic here in the UAE and about some of the cases we have seen where cats that previously lived on the street were brought into homes and developed Behaviour Problems as a result.

We also chat about the unique characteristics of the Arabian Mau cat that is found in this part of the world and how their unique-ness affects their behavioural needs.

I talk about genetics, epigenetics and how the socialization period may affect some of these patients and Nora tells us all about her Arabian Mau cat, Freddie, and what he taught her.

Find out also how the “5 Freedoms” framework helps us assess the welfare of our patients.

We understand that this is a controversial topic and that there are no right or wrong answers, however, we do need to always consider the welfare and quality of life of all our patients and indeed that animals that we invite into our homes and lives.

Here is the resource that I mention in the episode:

Ellis, S. L. H., Rodan, I., Carney, H. C., Heath, S., Rochlitz, I., Shearburn, L. D., Sundahl, E., & Westropp, J. L. (2013). AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(3), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X13477537

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Episode 53 – Separation Anxiety – To crate or not to crate, that is the question

Welcome to the first episode in this second year of The Pet Behaviour Chat Podcast!

This episode was inspired by a Facebook post I saw in one of our local dog groups where an alarming number of people advised the poster, who has a dog showing Separation Related Behaviours to “just get a crate for the dog and put it in the crate when you are away from the home”.

This approach has so many potential pitfalls and could actually do more harm than good when it comes to the welfare of the dog in question.

Have a listen to this episode where I chat through my thoughts on this issue and highlight the potential problems that could arise from recommendations such as this one.

Don’t get me wrong, a crate or a safe space *may* be an option for some dogs, but it is not ok to just make blanket statements or recommendations such as this when the details of the case are not fully known.

Listen as I chat through:

1.      The importance of obtaining an accurate diagnosis

2.      The importance of the dog feeling comfortable in a crate

3.      The underlying mental and emotional health implications and motivations

4.      Why blanket statements such as this can actually make things worse

5.      How we, as Veterinary Behaviourists, always consider the long-term health and longevity of a good quality life for the pets in our care

Here are some of the resources I mention in the episode:

1.      King, J. N., Simpson, B. S., Overall, K. L., Appleby, D., Pageat, P., Ross, C., Chaurand, J. P., Heath, S., Beata, C., Weiss, A. B., Muller, G., Paris, T., Bataille, B. G., Parker, J., Petit, S., Wren, J., & Clocsa, T. (2000). Treatment of separation anxiety in dogs with clomipramine : results from a prospective , parallel-group , multicenter clinical trial.

2.      Ballantyne, K. C. (2018). Separation, Confinement, or Noises: What Is Scaring That Dog? Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal Practice, 48(3), 367–386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2017.12.005

3.      Karagiannis et al. BMC Veterinary Research (2015) 11:80, Dogs with separation-related problems show a “less pessimistic” cognitive bias during treatment with fluoxetine (Reconcile™) and a behaviour modification plan DOI 10.1186/s12917-015-0373-1

We really hope you enjoy this episode; it is packed with so much information!

If you liked this episode of the show, The Pet Behaviour Chat, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!

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Episode 52 – What we have learned from a year of Veterinary Behaviour Podcast!

I cannot believe that it has been a year since I started The Pet Behaviour Chat Podcast!

This has been such a passion project of mine, and I have loved every minute of recording both the solo episodes as well as the amazing episodes with my wonderful guests.

The response to the podcast has been incredible, and I have been able to connect with so many vets and pet owners who have an interest in the science of Behaviour Medicine and how we can help pets and patients in a holistic way, addressing not only their physical but also their mental and emotional health – the TRINITY of health care.

In this episode I chat with Nora and Ilse about what the highlights of the last year have been for all of us, and we reminisce about our episodes, our Fear Free accreditation journey and the many pets we have helped over the last 52 weeks!

I would love for you to tune in to this episode and listen to our journey past, present and what we have in store for the future!

Visit the Trinity website to get your hands on some amazing FREE RESOURCES HERE:

https://trinityvetbehaviour.com/free-resources/

We really hope you enjoy this episode; it is packed with so much information!

If you liked this episode of the show, The Pet Behaviour Chat, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!

Facebook Group: Join The Pet Behaviour Community on Facebook

You can CONNECT with me:

Website: Visit my website

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Trinity Veterinary Behaviour Facebook: Join us on Trinity Veterinary Behaviour's Facebook page

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Thank you for tuning in!

Episode 51 – Long Term versus Event Medications!

This is one of the topics I get the most questions about - from vets, pet care professionals and pet caregivers alike.

What is the difference between long-term, also known as daily or baseline medications, and event or short acting medications? When do I use the one versus the other, can I give them together and, if so, how does that work and what do I need to consider?

In this episode I take a deep dive into this topic and unravel these exact questions.

In this episode you will learn:

1.      What a long-term medication is and when to use it

2.      What a short-term medication is and when to use it

3.      How to combine medications for the most benefit

4.      What to look out for when using long- and short-term medications together

If you’d like to delve even deeper into this topic, get my amazing Psychopharmaceutical Webinar for just $19 before it disappears! Follow the link below!

https://trinityvetbehaviour.com/product/behaviour-medications-who-when-and-how/

I really hope you enjoy this episode; it is packed with so much information!

If you liked this episode of the show, The Pet Behaviour Chat, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!

Facebook Group: Join The Pet Behaviour Community on Facebook

You can CONNECT with me:

Website: Visit my website

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Thank you for tuning in!

Episode 50 – When To Consider Psychopharmaceutical Medication

This is a big topic and certainly the area where, as a Veterinary Behaviour Specialist, my expertise lies!

Choosing the right patient, the right medication and having the right support structure in place is of the utmost importance if we want to make positive changes in the patient’s and pet caregiver’s life so knowing the medications well is an absolute must!

In this episode you will learn

1.      The definition of “psychotropic medication”

2.      Why obtaining a diagnosis is so important

3.      How the medications act in the body, especially the brain

4.      How medication fits into a comprehensive treatment plan

5.      Patient choice and doing no harm 

Here is the link to the Psychopharmaceutical Webinar which Dr Katrin mentions in the episode, get it now for just $19 before it disappears!

https://trinityvetbehaviour.com/product/behaviour-medications-who-when-and-how/

We really hope you enjoy this episode; it is packed with so much information!

If you liked this episode of the show, The Pet Behaviour Chat, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!

Facebook Group: Join The Pet Behaviour Community on Facebook

You can CONNECT with me:

Website: Visit my website

Trinity Veterinary Behaviour Instagram: Follow Trinity Veterinary Behaviour on Instagram

Trinity Veterinary Behaviour Facebook: Join us on Trinity Veterinary Behaviour's Facebook page

Trinity Veterinary Behaviour YouTube: Subscribe to Trinity Veterinary Behaviour on YouTube

LinkedIn Profile: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Thank you for tuning in!

Episode 49 – Abnormal Repetitive Behaviours in Dogs – What You Need To Know!

Abnormal Repetitive Behaviours in dogs are challenging to diagnose and treat. Their genetic and heritable nature, the large number of physical medical differential diagnoses and their ritualistic and invariant nature can make them difficult to live with and their treatment really requires the help and support of an expert!

In this episode you will learn:

1.      The definition of Abnormal Repetitive Behaviours

2.      The big 5 groups of ARBs

3.      What we need to think about when it comes to physical medical rule outs

4.      What breeds are predisposed

5.      How to treat these patients

Here are some of the resources Dr Katrin mentions in this episode:

1.      Moon-Fanelli, A. A., Dodman, N. H., & Cottam, N. (2007). Blanket and flank sucking in Doberman Pinschers. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 231(6), 907–912. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.231.6.907

2.      Dodman, N. H., Karlsson, E. K., Moon-Fanelli, A., Galdzicka, M., Perloski, M., Shuster, L., Lindblad-Toh, K., & Ginns, E. I. (2010). A canine chromosome 7 locus confers compulsive disorder susceptibility. Molecular Psychiatry, 15(1), 8–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2009.111

We really hope you enjoy this episode; it is packed with so much information!

If you liked this episode of the show, The Pet Behaviour Chat, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!

Facebook Group: Join The Pet Behaviour Community on Facebook

You can CONNECT with me:

Website: Visit my website

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Thank you for tuning in!

Episode 48 – Cat Resources – What You Need To Know!

This is such a fun episode and a must listen if you are either a cat caregiver or a veterinary professional working with cats in the clinic.

Dr Katrin and Nora chat about all the things that are considered important resources in a cat’s life, how many of them a cat ideally needs in the home or clinic and how you can design your home to best accommodate both your cat’s needs as well as your own aesthetic.

In this episode you will learn:

1.      All about the essential feline resources

2.      How to provide resources in the most optimal way for your cat

3.      Why resources are an important part of preventative feline behavioural medicine

4.      How resources can be a fun part of your home- or clinic life

5.      How Nora has created a new job title for herself – “Feline Interior Designer”

If you would like to book an in-person or virtual “Feline Home Design” session with Nora, please email us at:

[email protected] OR

[email protected]

We really hope you enjoy this episode; it is packed with so much information!

If you liked this episode of the show, The Pet Behaviour Chat, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe!

Facebook Group: Join The Pet Behaviour Community on Facebook

You can CONNECT with me:

Website: Visit my website

Trinity Veterinary Behaviour Instagram: Follow Trinity Veterinary Behaviour on Instagram

Trinity Veterinary Behaviour Facebook: Join us on Trinity Veterinary Behaviour's Facebook page

Trinity Veterinary Behaviour YouTube: Subscribe to Trinity Veterinary Behaviour on YouTube

LinkedIn Profile: Connect with me on LinkedIn

Thank you for tuning in!