Hysterical Dog Behavior (New Year's Firecracker Syndrome)

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

The hysterical state of dogs arises in response to influences that cause fear in animals. Such influences include, among other things, unexpected loud sounds, firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices. Stress transfer to animals of this nature leads to changes in its behavior, movement disorders, autonomic disorders. Examples of neurotic states in dogs are considered, and recommendations are given for the treatment of animals in such situations.

In recent years, in large cities, the practice of veterinarians has noted previously unrecorded outbreaks of diseases in dogs, which are clearly timed to coincide with the New Year holidays. Already in the early days of the new year, there is a flood of dog owners complaining about the behavior and health of their animals. Common to all cases is the acute onset of the disease in case of fright associated with a sudden firing of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in the immediate vicinity of the dog.

In the period from December 25 to January 25, 46 dogs with behavioral and autonomic disorders that developed after a stressful situation were under observation and treatment. These were exclusively middle and older dogs; bitches among them were somewhat more than males; the predominance of these or those breeds was not noted.

All complaints made by the owners, as well as objectively recorded changes, could be reduced to three types of violations. These are:

- inappropriate animal behavior;

- violations of his motor acts;

- sensitivity disorders.

These changes are usually observed in combination in the same dog. Owner complaints of behavioral disturbances usually boil down to the phrase that the dog is "crazy." In almost all cases, a traumatic situation occurs outside the doorstep. In this regard, most often the animal is terrified of going out into the street, clogs under furniture, trembles, whines and categorically refuses to walk.

Another behavioral anomaly is the refusal of the dog from the toilet on the street during a walk and a "safe" solution to the problem immediately upon returning to the apartment.

In addition, a more or less prolonged refusal to eat, as well as, in some cases, the appearance of hallucinations in the dog is characteristic of such a pathology. They are evidenced by fear not associated with real events, dilated pupils, following something non-existent with a gaze, puffing hair on the nape, aggressive growling or, conversely, plaintive whimpering. Unmotivated aggression can sometimes be manifested by the fact that the dog begins to bite, disobeying the shouts of the owner, or even attacks him. Being in a state of passion, the animal often runs away in an unknown direction and cannot always find the way back on its own.

Movement disorders, if they arise, are manifested exclusively by transient paralysis of the hind limbs, a change in the dog's gait, and impaired coordination of movement. Often, at the same time, the back part of the dog moves to the side, and it, "not fitting", beats it against various objects.

Sensory impairments can be manifested by temporary blindness, in which the dog is poorly oriented in the apartment, bumping into furniture, walls, etc. In some cases, the loss of pain sensitivity on the paws is objectively noted.

The described complex of changes occurs not only after explosions of firecrackers, but also after any impact that causes fear in the dog. So, for example, the owners of a poodle (female, 9 years old) turned to our clinic after the dog, being on the street and hearing the noise of a shot, fell off the collar and ran away. She was found only 3 hours later in the basement of a neighboring house. In the apartment she huddled under the table, she had tremors all over her body, enlarged pupils. During the examination, objectively: body temperature - 38.9 ° C, pulse - 108 beats per minute (at a rate of 65-75 beats), respiratory rate - 58 (at a rate of 25-35). On auscultation of the heart, arrhythmias were noted, on ECG, sinus arrhythmia, greatly dilated pupils did not respond to light. Treatment with valocordin and diazepam was prescribed. Only on the 3rd day the animal's condition improved slightly, but the behavioral disturbances continued for about two more weeks: the dog could be on a walk for no more than 3 minutes,after which she quickly rushed to the house. For quite a long time, the animal performed the toilet anywhere and at any time.

In another case, a collie (female, 5 years old) ran away from the owner after crossing the road and heard the noise of a car suddenly braking. The dog was found 4 hours later, five kilometers from the house. At the doctor's appointment, paresis of the hind limbs was established. The animal was apathetic, refused food (including favorite food), there was arrhythmia, salivation, sharp molting, pallor of mucous membranes, absence of defecation and urination for more than a day. Treatment included intravenous administration of a 5% glucose solution, proserin, vitamins B and C. A week later, the dog's condition was recognized as satisfactory.