Advances in Behavioral Psychopharmacology.

Recent studies have led to some groundbreaking findings regarding the use of medications for the support of behavioral health in dogs and cats. Despite tantalizing results, these studies should be viewed in light of their limitations. Consequently, the results of these studies should be applied in the clinical setting with caution and with a full understanding of the potential pros and cons of using these medications. A review of the research available on trazodone, clonidine, detomidine, dexmedetomidine, propranolol, pindolol, maropitant, memantine, venlafaxine, and gabapentin discusses these pros and cons and highlights key points regarding their clinical use and application.

Abnormal repetitive behaviors in dogs and cats: a guide for practitioners.

Abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) represent a diverse group of behaviors whose underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Their neurobiology likely involves several different neurotransmitter systems. These behaviors have been referred to as compulsive disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders and stereotypies. Underlying medical conditions and pain can often cause changes in behavior that are mistaken for ARBs. A complete medical work-up is always indicated prior to reaching a presumptive diagnosis. The frequency of ARBs can be reduced but not always eliminated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) in conjunction with behavior modification and environmental enrichment.