Maternal aggression

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Acute presentation, Age predisposition, Sex predisposition, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Initial symptomatic treatment, Standard treatment, Prevention, Control, Prophylaxis, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s), Organization(s),
Contributors Dr Karen Overall MA VMD PhD DipACVB ABS Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist

Introduction

  • Difficult to define but includes: growling, snarling or biting in an attempt to 'see off' intruder.
  • Seen in post-parturient bitch or pseudopregnancy stimulated by real or perceived threat to her litter.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Aggression:
    • Pain elicited.
    • Predatory Aggression: predatory.
    • Protective Aggression: protective.
    • Redirected Aggression: redirected.
    • Territorial Aggression: territorial.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Good, given that usually this is a self-limiting problem which resolves as puppies grow.

Expected response to treatment

  • The intensity of the aggressive behavior is likely to lessen as the puppies grow.

Sources

Publications

Other sources of information

  • Overall K L (1997) Clinical behavioral medicine for small animals. Mosby. pp103-106.
  • Landsberg G, Hunthausen W & Ackerman L (1997) Handbook of behavior problems of the dog and cat. pp 164.
  • Askew H (1996) Treatment of behavior problems in dogs and cats. pp 147.

Organization(s)

  • Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors , PO Box 46, Worcester WR8 9YS, UK. Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1386 751151; Email: apbc@petbcent.demon.co.uk; Website: http://www.apbc.co.uk.

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