Animal Details
Breed: Samoyed
Date of Birth: 9th July 2010
Sex: Female (neutered)
History and Diagnosis
The dog had become accustomed to spending its days at the owner’s place of work. However, a change in the owner’s job meant this was no longer possible, and the dog needed to be left at home during the day. Over a period of several months the dog began exhibiting destructive behavior, with an increase in vocalisation and attention-seeking behavior.
The owner reported evidence to indicate that this behavior was always more extreme on Wednesdays.
Reference to HeyrexVet graphs showed that Wednesdays were usually more active than other weekdays. However the owner did not report any change to the dog’s routine on Wednesday.
HeyrexVet also showed that a large proportion of the daily activity for Wednesdays happened between the hours of 7.30am and 9.30am (after the owner had left for work for the day).
Examination of the dog’s environment on a Wednesday morning revealed that the regular weekly rubbish and recycling collection took place between 7.30am and 9.00am. Analysis of the dog’s behavior resulted in its being diagnosed with noise-related anxiety. Territorial aggression was not considered as a differential diagnosis because the dog is confined to a section at the rear of the house that has no access and limited views to the road.
Cumulative Daily Activity - Tuesday 14 August 2012
Day free of anxiety inducing stimuli
A typical week day. Note that although there are short periods of vigorous activity they do not continue for sustained periods of time.
Cumulative Daily Activity - Wednesday 8th August 2012
Vigorous activity as a result of noise related anxiety
A typical Wednesday prior to treatment. Note the significant increase in sustained vigorous activity between 7.00am and 10.00am.
Treatment and Results
The dog’s environment was treated once daily with a dog-appeasing pheromone spray. The owner reported an almost immediate decrease in destructive behavior, as well as a reduction in the attention-seeking behavior the dog had previously exhibited.
HeyrexVet graphs show that episodes of vigorous activity on Wednesday mornings are far less pronounced than those exhibited prior to treatment.
Cumulative Daily Activity - Wednesday 15th August 2012
Calmer response to anxiety inducing event
A typical Wednesday post treatment. Note the period of vigorous activity is now reduced.
Cumulative Daily Activity - Wednesday 29th August 2012
Continued progress
Another Wednesday illustrating behavior post-treatment. Note again the period of vigorous activity is now reduced.
Conclusion
HeyrexVet has made it possible to monitor the dog while the owner was away from home and therefore identify behaviors that were otherwise unobserved.
Using HeyrexVet enabled the dog’s response to therapy to be monitored to ensure that expected outcomes were achieved.