The Secret Behind Your Pet's Symptoms

Source: Photo by Cintya Marisa on Unsplash

by E'Lise Christensen, DVM DACVB and Amanda Modes, DVM, Behavior Resident

Determining the cause of animal behavioral disorders can be a puzzle. Problem behaviors aren’t just about emotions, past learning history, genetics, and the outside environment, but also physical health. Of course, some behaviors people dislike are normal for that species. But when behaviors are outside the normal range, veterinary behavior teams jump in. We spend our days unraveling these different components to provide the best medical and mental health support for animals who are suffering.

Animals are stellar at keeping medical problems under wraps. This means a lot of people don’t realize, and sometimes don't believe, that their pet’s health may be impacting their behavior.


The Body and Behavior

Problems affecting nearly every bodily system can lead to a wide variety of behavior issues for any species. If your cat stops using the litter box, it could have a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or knee pain. A dog that runs away when the leash comes out could be scared, but might also have an infected tooth, neck pain, or a skin rash. We all know nausea can lead to drooling, changes in appetite, and vomiting. But did you know that it can also be the cause of floor licking, tiredness, pacing, yawning, avoidance of food bowls, and even pica (eating non-food items like fabric, rocks, or even glass)? Just like people, animals can be nauseated and not vomit. Pain can be a significant, but often overlooked, component to unwanted behavior. Unless your dog is Dug—“the talking dog” from the movie Up—they may not be showing you how much pain they are experiencing, and they may not even react as we would expect on a veterinarian’s physical exam.

A study by McKee and Braham (2016) indicated that human patients with pre-existing mental illness are at risk of having a physician miss an underlying medical cause of their behavioral symptoms. But this doesn't have to be the case in veterinary medicine.

First Steps

If your pet is exhibiting behaviors that are atypical for them, or affecting their quality of life, your first visit should be to your regular veterinarian for a medical evaluation. This includes a complete review of your pet’s medical history, a full physical examination when possible (even a hands-off exam can be very informative), and any recommended diagnostic tests. Only once medical causes have been ruled out can we be satisfied that a behavioral condition is solely responsible for the pet’s symptoms.

Whether your pet’s behavioral changes are due to a physical cause, their feelings/emotions, or both, there are typically many treatment options. These may include behavioral modification (training), avoidance of triggering situations, lifestyle changes, supplements, diet change, and/or medications. Many general-practice veterinarians can help you get this process started. If you find your pet needs additional help, a veterinary behaviorist is your next step. Either way, taking the time to work-up and treat any physical and behavioral conditions will make your life with your pet better.

Source: E'Lise Christiansen

E'Lise Christensen, DVM DACVB, is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and the Chief Medical Officer at Behavior Vets NY, NJ, and CO. She provides community outreach, education, and support for animal-loving families and professionals. To learn more, see her webinar Medical Mimics in Dogs: When Behavioral Symptoms are the Tip of the Iceberg.

Amanda Modes, DVM, is a Resident of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists with Behavior Vets of New Jersey. In addition, she has over 10 years of experience in general practice, urgent care, and emergency medicine.

Source: Amanda Modes