Introduction
- Aggression under little, if any, autonomic influence.
- Exhibited towards prey by predatory animals.
- Usually involves one or more components of predation.
- Moving objects may trigger it in an animal which does not frequently hunt.
- Behavior tends to be rewarding → self-reinforcing.
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Territorial aggression: reacting aggressively towards animal, car, bicycles, etc entering or already present in a given area.
- Inappropriate/competent play behavior.
- Predatory behavior, eg kill, eviscerate, etc.
- Rabies
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Guarded: very difficult to stop.
Reasons for treatment failure
- In-built reward continuing to positively reinforce the aggression.
- Psychoactive drugs used to try to modify the aggression, eg benzodiazepines, also affecting other behaviors.
No drug or combination of drugs removes aggressive motivation alone.
Avoid benzopiazepines as they may disinhibit innate inhibition.
Sources
Publications
Other sources of information
- Beaver B (1983) Clinical Classification of Canine Aggression. Appl Anim Ethol 10 , 34-43.
- Overall K L (1997) Clinical behavioral medicine for small animals. pp 114-115, 269.
- Askew H (1996) Treatment of behavior problems in dogs and cats. pp 178-179.
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.
