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Nadja Affenzeller
Department of Companion Animals, Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria

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Review
Published: 12 January 2021 in Animals
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A high proportion of dogs and cats are fearful during veterinary visits, which in some cases may escalate into aggression. Here, we discuss factors that contribute to negative emotions in a veterinary setting and how these can be addressed. We briefly summarise the available evidence for the interventions discussed. The set-up of the waiting area (e.g., spatial dividers; elevated places for cat carriers), tailoring the examination and the treatment to the individual, considerate handling (minimal restraint when possible, avoiding leaning over or cornering animals) and offering high-value food or toys throughout the visit can promote security and, ideally, positive associations. Desensitisation and counterconditioning are highly recommended, both to prevent and address existing negative emotions. Short-term pain from injections can be minimised by using tactile and cognitive distractions and topical analgesics, which are also indicated for painful procedures such as ear cleanings. Recommendations for handling fearful animals to minimise aggressive responses are discussed. However, anxiolytics or sedation should be used whenever there is a risk of traumatising an animal or for safety reasons. Stress-reducing measures can decrease fear and stress in patients and consequently their owners, thus strengthening the relationship with the clients as well as increasing the professional satisfaction of veterinary staff.

ACS Style

Stefanie Riemer; Carmen Heritier; Ines Windschnurer; Lydia Pratsch; Christine Arhant; Nadja Affenzeller. A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting. Animals 2021, 11, 158 .

AMA Style

Stefanie Riemer, Carmen Heritier, Ines Windschnurer, Lydia Pratsch, Christine Arhant, Nadja Affenzeller. A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting. Animals. 2021; 11 (1):158.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefanie Riemer; Carmen Heritier; Ines Windschnurer; Lydia Pratsch; Christine Arhant; Nadja Affenzeller. 2021. "A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting." Animals 11, no. 1: 158.

Review
Published: 07 December 2020
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A high proportion of dogs and cats are fearful during veterinary visits, which in some cases may escalate into aggression. Here, we discuss factors that contribute to negative emotions in a veterinary setting and how these can be addressed. The set-up of the waiting area (e.g. spatial dividers; elevated places for cat carriers), tailoring the examination and the treatment to the individual, considerate handling (minimal restraint when possible, avoiding leaning over or cornering animals) and offering high-value food or toys throughout the visit can promote security and, ideally, positive associations. Desensitisation and counterconditioning are highly recommended both to prevent and address existing negative emotions. Some negative experiences such as short-term pain from injections can be minimised by using tactile and cognitive distractions. Preemptive analgesia is recommended for known painful procedures. Recommendations for handling fearful animals to minimise aggressive responses are discussed. However, anxiolytics or sedation should be used whenever there is a risk of traumatising an animal or for safety reasons. Stress-reducing measures can decrease stress and fear in patients and consequently their owners – thus strengthening the relationship with the clients as well as increasing the professional satisfaction of veterinary staff.

ACS Style

Stefanie Riemer; Carmen Heritier; Ines Windschnurer; Christine Arhant; Lydia Pratsch; Nadja Affenzeller. A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting. 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Stefanie Riemer, Carmen Heritier, Ines Windschnurer, Christine Arhant, Lydia Pratsch, Nadja Affenzeller. A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting. . 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefanie Riemer; Carmen Heritier; Ines Windschnurer; Christine Arhant; Lydia Pratsch; Nadja Affenzeller. 2020. "A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 30 July 2020 in Journal of Veterinary Behavior
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Specific situations and legal requirements in some countries require dogs to wear a muzzle on a regular basis. Ongoing discussions within different national authorities are trying to balance the safety of the public against welfare of dogs when being walked. However, detailed information on ideal type of muzzle, muzzle fit, introduction techniques to wearing a muzzle and effects of muzzle use on the physical condition and behavior on dogs is very limited. Hence, this study collected data via an online survey on frequency and circumstances of muzzle use and observed effects on dogs when wearing a muzzle by also incorporating training techniques and muzzle type used. Of 1,862 respondents, only 21.6% indicated their dog never wears a muzzle (average age: 5.8 ± 3.6 years). Around half of the owners stated that their dog wears a muzzle only when mandatory by legislation (47.8%) and/or when necessary to prevent a bite (47.5%). Public transport and crowded public places were situations, where muzzles were employed most often. While basket type muzzles (made of BioThane, plastic, wire) were used most often, only 71.3% reported a fit not clearly impairing dog welfare. Muzzle introduction technique (habituation, short training, intense training, no preparation) used, significantly impacted on adverse behaviors observed when wearing a muzzle for the first time, and on ongoing behavior when muzzled such as trying to pull the muzzle off, rubbing the nose against objects or freezing behavior. Using food during muzzle training significantly decreased levels of passive avoidance during fastening and increased the likelihood of dogs actively putting their nose into the muzzle. Negative effects on behavior when wearing a muzzle were reported by 19.6% of owners and labelled with the terms ‘insecure, apathetic, dull, passive, distressed, anxious, unwell, agitated, nervous, tense, sad or miserable’. Changes in dog behavior were perceived as an advantage with respect to inability to access food (41.9%) and when used for veterinary visits (30.9%). Observed physical damage of either fur or skin, effects on thermoregulation, the ocular or gastrointestinal tract were reported by 161 (12.9%) owners. The results of this survey indicate a need to educate dog owners on muzzle fit and training protocols to reduce negative effects on dog welfare. In addition, potential alterations in intraspecies communication, other social behaviors and welfare need to be explored in more detail.

ACS Style

Christine Arhant; Claudia Schmied-Wagner; Ursula Aigner; Nadja Affenzeller. Owner reports on the use of muzzles and their effects on dogs: an online survey. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 2020, 41, 73 -81.

AMA Style

Christine Arhant, Claudia Schmied-Wagner, Ursula Aigner, Nadja Affenzeller. Owner reports on the use of muzzles and their effects on dogs: an online survey. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 2020; 41 ():73-81.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Christine Arhant; Claudia Schmied-Wagner; Ursula Aigner; Nadja Affenzeller. 2020. "Owner reports on the use of muzzles and their effects on dogs: an online survey." Journal of Veterinary Behavior 41, no. : 73-81.

Journal article
Published: 21 July 2020 in Animals
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Arousing and emotional situations can improve cognitive performance and the memorability of events. Recently, the enhancement of training performance in Labrador Retriever dogs through 30 min of dog–human play immediately after acquiring a novel task, when compared to a resting period, was demonstrated. This follow-on study used the same pseudo-randomized, counterbalanced, between-subject study design, and 11 Labrador Retrievers were re-trained in the identical two-choice discrimination paradigm after a period of 1 year. The playful activities group needed significantly less trials and made significantly less errors to successfully reach the re-training criterion (Mann–Whitney U test, critical value of U at p < 0.05 is 5, U = 5, Z = 1.73, p = 0.04 and U = 4.5, Z = 1.8, p = 0.03, respectively). Following model simplification of a multiple factor/covariate general linear model analysis, the type of intervention, the number of trials needed to re-learn the task after 24 h, the average heart rate during the intervention a year ago, and age were significantly correlated to the number of trials and errors needed to resolve the task. A significant difference due to intervention allocation (heart rate during the intervention, trials needed to re-learn the task after 24 h) between the groups was confirmed. Age did not significantly differ between the groups; nevertheless, the effects of ageing cannot be fully excluded, given the low sample size. No effects of the trainer and of the cortisol concentrations (of the previous year) were observed. This is the first evidence that post-training activity may influence memory up to 1 year after task acquisition.

ACS Style

Nadja Affenzeller. Dog–Human Play, but Not Resting Post-Learning Improve Re-Training Performance up to One Year after Initial Task Acquisition in Labrador Retriever Dogs: A Follow-On Study. Animals 2020, 10, 1235 .

AMA Style

Nadja Affenzeller. Dog–Human Play, but Not Resting Post-Learning Improve Re-Training Performance up to One Year after Initial Task Acquisition in Labrador Retriever Dogs: A Follow-On Study. Animals. 2020; 10 (7):1235.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nadja Affenzeller. 2020. "Dog–Human Play, but Not Resting Post-Learning Improve Re-Training Performance up to One Year after Initial Task Acquisition in Labrador Retriever Dogs: A Follow-On Study." Animals 10, no. 7: 1235.

Case reports
Published: 01 December 2017 in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
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ACS Style

Nadja Affenzeller; Helen E. Zulch. Animal Behavior Case of the Month. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2017, 251, 1248 -1251.

AMA Style

Nadja Affenzeller, Helen E. Zulch. Animal Behavior Case of the Month. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2017; 251 (11):1248-1251.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nadja Affenzeller; Helen E. Zulch. 2017. "Animal Behavior Case of the Month." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 251, no. 11: 1248-1251.

Companion or pet animals
Published: 29 September 2017 in Veterinary Record Case Reports
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This is the first report of aggressive behaviour as the primary presenting sign in two dogs subsequently found to have chronic diskospondylitis, with neither dog showing other typical clinical signs of this condition. Mild signs of pain were elicited on physical examination in both dogs. Further medical investigation revealed signs indicative of chronic diskospondylitis (L7/S1) and treatment with analgesics and antibiotics was commenced. A marked improvement in behaviour was seen in both dogs when on treatment. Dog 1 stopped exhibiting unpredictable episodes of growling and biting when handled or approached and dog 2 stopped vocalising and occasional growling when handled or lifted. Gradual treatment withdrawal (dog 1 after six weeks and dog 2 after four weeks, respectively) caused a recurrence of behaviour signs thus further treatment was recommenced. Continued follow-up over a year revealed the importance of long-term use of analgesics to prevent behavioural deterioration when chronic lesions are present.

ACS Style

Nadja Affenzeller; Kevin James McPeake; Jamie McClement; Helen Zulch. Human‐directed aggressive behaviour as the main presenting sign in dogs subsequently diagnosed with diskospondylitis. Veterinary Record Case Reports 2017, 5, e000501 .

AMA Style

Nadja Affenzeller, Kevin James McPeake, Jamie McClement, Helen Zulch. Human‐directed aggressive behaviour as the main presenting sign in dogs subsequently diagnosed with diskospondylitis. Veterinary Record Case Reports. 2017; 5 (4):e000501.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nadja Affenzeller; Kevin James McPeake; Jamie McClement; Helen Zulch. 2017. "Human‐directed aggressive behaviour as the main presenting sign in dogs subsequently diagnosed with diskospondylitis." Veterinary Record Case Reports 5, no. 4: e000501.

Journal article
Published: 20 August 2011 in Veterinary Record
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A subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring system (GlucoDay; Menarini Diagnostics) based on microdialysis was investigated for its clinical applicability in veterinary medicine. Ten diabetic dogs, referred as clinically stable, were equipped with this system and sent home for a maximum observation period of 48 hours. Time of insulin administration, feeding and other events were written in a diary and plotted afterwards in the glucose graph. Implantation of the microdialysis fibre, acceptance of the device and evaluation of individual canine glucose profiles were without complication. Based on the monitoring data, recommended treatment adjustments were given to the referring veterinarians in all 10 dogs; hypoglycaemic or prolonged hyperglycaemic episodes were detected in six dogs.

ACS Style

N. Affenzeller; J. G. Thalhammer; M. Willmann. Home-based subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring in 10 diabetic dogs. Veterinary Record 2011, 169, 206 -206.

AMA Style

N. Affenzeller, J. G. Thalhammer, M. Willmann. Home-based subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring in 10 diabetic dogs. Veterinary Record. 2011; 169 (8):206-206.

Chicago/Turabian Style

N. Affenzeller; J. G. Thalhammer; M. Willmann. 2011. "Home-based subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring in 10 diabetic dogs." Veterinary Record 169, no. 8: 206-206.