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Do the animals OCD ?

They suffer Animals, them too, OCD, these behaviors performed repeatedly and hardly repressible ? As they often develop ? What reasons can explain the appearance of this pathology ? What to do to improve the mental health of my pet ?

It is to these various questions that we will try to answer today.

Stereotyping is defined as an abnormal repetitive behavior that has no purpose. It is induced by frustration, in an attempt to adapt to a situation of stress or brain dysfunction.

This is usually a sign of ill-being of the animal.

Some statistics to begin : it is estimated that more than 10 000 animals living in zoos have stereotypies, (Mason et al. 2006). For livestock, the figure is even more impressive. We're talking about tens of millions of animals with these disorders.

These repetitive movements meet, not only, at the zoo or farmed, but are also present in our domestic animals. This is called instead of OCD, Obsessive-Compulsive (dog chasing its tail, which gobbles flies, cat grooms constantly, parrot pulls feathers ...). A behavior is considered an OCD when it lasts and abnormal frequency and it prevents the animal normally interact with its environment (the animal refuses to do another activity or respond to the call of his master ....)

Before a diagnosis of stereotyping or OCD, the veterinarian will adopt a rigorous diagnostic procedure to rule out a possible organic disease that would explain this behavioral disorder. Thus, facing a cat washing excessively and tears his hair repeatedly, the veterinarian will first search all causes of skin disease that could explain this behavior. Similarly, before a potomania (animal drinking 5 to 10 times its daily water ration) he will suspect, in the first place, a metabolic disease such as diabetes mellitus or renal impairment e.g.. Finally, many neurological conditions cause behavioral changes in animal models and some tocks are then considered symptoms. This is particularly true of dizzy at the Bulls Terriers, a sign often quite common canine synonymous with epilepsy in the breed.

Environmental factors play an important role in the development of OCD but genetic factors may also be involved. En 2000, researchers (Schoeneker a Heller) conducted a study on bank voles (Myodes glareolus) showing that stereotypes were six times more prevalent among individuals descendants of parents who showed stereotypies.

However, we must not ignore confounders : mother stereotype that takes less care of its small, which puts them in a situation of stress and can lead to stereotype in turn; Similarly, small exposed to the stereotyping of their mother, which serves as an example, and they can reproduce the behavior…

Non-medical means are effective in treating stereotypies, as environmental enrichment for wild animals bred in captivity, improving living conditions for farm animals. Similarly, enrich the living environment, the environment of an animal or encourage interactions with other peers will be able to improve behavioral disorders pets.

Medical treatment is sometimes necessary to manage these repetitive behaviors. Stereotypies and OCD are treated medically with serotonergic or dopaminergic agents (stereotypies are caused by alterations of the dopaminergic system caused by stress and serotonergic system has an influence on the dopaminergic system). For exemple, we include haloperidol, neuroleptics used in the treatment of stereotypies.

The observation of a strange behavior in your pet, even if it seems fun at first, must bring you to consult your veterinarian. Stereotypies and TOC can, Indeed, be indicative of yet undiagnosed disease (renal failure, Diabetes, skin disorders, neurological…) or even a real discomfort your pet and must be taken seriously.

Sources

  1. Stereotypies animals bred in captivity : bibliographic studies, Wenisch e.
  2. Stereotypic behaviour in captive animals : fundamentals and implications for welfare and beyond. In Stereotypic Animal Behaviour : Fundamentals and Applications to Welfare. 2nd edition. Mason GJ.
  3. Indication of a genetic basis of stereotypies in laboratory-bred bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Schoeneker B, Heller KE.

Author : M. Hugo hope, veterinary student – Illustrator : Dr. Caroline Allard – Vetup®