Elsevier

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Volume 7, Issue 4, July–August 2012, Pages 194-204
Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Research
Gastrointestinal disorders in dogs with excessive licking of surfaces

Presented as an abstract at the 18th European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Meeting, September 2008, Ghent, Belgium, and also at the 27th Annual ACVIM Forum and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Convention, June 2009, Montreal, Canada.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.07.003Get rights and content

Abstract

Excessive licking of surfaces (ELS) refers to licking of objects and surfaces in excess of duration, frequency, or intensity as compared with that required for exploration. This behavior is a nonspecific sign and may be the consequence of several conditions. The objectives of our prospective clinical study were to characterize ELS behavior in dogs and to examine the extent to which it may be a sign of an underlying gastrointestinal (GI) pathology as opposed to a primarily behavioral concern. Nineteen dogs presented with ELS were included in the licking group and 10 healthy dogs were assigned to a control group. Behavioral, physical, and neurological examinations were performed before a complete evaluation of the GI system. Treatment was recommended on the basis of diagnostic findings. Following initialization of treatment, dogs were then monitored for 90 days during which their licking behavior was recorded. GI abnormalities were identified in 14 of 19 dogs in the licking group. These abnormalities included eosinophilic and/or lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the GI tract, delayed gastric emptying, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, gastric foreign body, and giardiasis. Significant improvement in both frequency and duration of the basal ELS behavior was observed in 10 of 17 dogs (59%). Resolution of ELS occurred in 9 of 17 dogs (53%). Based on video analysis, it was found that ELS dogs were not significantly more anxious than the dogs in control group in the veterinary context. In conclusion, GI disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of canine ELS.

Introduction

Excessive licking of surfaces (ELS) in dogs refers to constant repetitive licking of objects and surfaces such as floors, walls, carpets, and furniture (Tynes, 2008). Canine ELS is poorly documented in the literature. It is difficult to assess the prevalence of this behavior because, although it appears abnormal and intolerable to some owners, most accept the behavior or simply ignore it (Tynes, 2008). According to the literature, differential diagnosis of ELS includes dental and oral disease, primary central nervous system disturbances such as brain tumors or hydrocephalus, electrolyte imbalances, metabolic diseases, toxicants (lead), side effects of drug therapy, brain aging or cognitive dysfunction, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders (Landsberg et al., 2003, Tynes, 2008).

However, some authors also attribute this behavior to obsessive–compulsive disorder (Landsberg et al., 2003, Luescher, 2003, Tynes, 2008), that is, a normal behavior performed in an inappropriate, excessive, or out-of-context manner. According to some behaviorists, this repetitive, exaggerated, and sustained behavior is brought on by conflict, stress, and anxiety, and can be generalized out of this context, and interfere with daily activities (Luescher, 2003, Tynes, 2008). Generally, the recommended treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder is medication acting on the serotonergic system (tricyclic antidepressants; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) combined with behavioral therapy (Overall and Dunham, 2002, Hewson et al., 1998, Seksel and Lindeman, 2001, Tynes, 2008).

Our hypothesis is that the majority of dogs presented with ELS (L dogs) are affected by an underlying GI disorder. The aims of this prospective study were to (1) characterize ELS (age of onset, duration of behavior, frequency and duration of the episodes, context, etc.), (2) perform a complete GI diagnostic evaluation of L dogs and of control non-ELS dogs, (3) evaluate the outcome of this behavior after appropriate treatment of any identified underlying GI disorder, and (4) explore whether in the veterinary context the ELS dogs exhibited more signs compatible with anxiety than non-ELS dogs.

Section snippets

Case selection

The study protocol followed Canadian Council on Animal Care guidelines and was approved by the Animal Care Committee of the University of Montreal. Dogs were recruited between February 2007 and May 2008 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Montreal, from referring veterinarians, hospital staff, and advertisements in a veterinary newspaper and through a local television program. Nineteen licking dogs (L group) were included in the study. Owners were asked to fill out a

Description of study dogs

There was no difference in gender distribution between the L group and the C group and no gender predilection was found in the L group. Five males and 5 females belonged to the C group, whereas 11 males and 8 females belonged to the L group. No distinction was made regarding the neutering status, as only 4 dogs in the study (3 of them belonging to the C group) were intact. Descriptive data for the L and C groups are presented in Table 1, Table 2. Mean age at presentation for the L group was

Discussion

In the present study, we sought to characterize licking behavior of surfaces or objects and learn whether this behavior was associated with any identifiable GI condition(s). Evidence that ELS behavior can be associated with an underlying GI disorder is provided. When a GI disorder is identified and properly treated, significant improvement occurs in the majority of ELS dogs, with resolution in 9 of 17 dogs (53%). Our data suggest that the majority (14 of 19; 74%) of ELS dogs have concomitant GI

Conclusion

In summary, GI disease should be considered in dogs presented for ELS. With appropriate GI treatment, a positive outcome, including resolution, is expected in the majority of ELS dogs. L dogs are not necessarily anxious animals. The causal link between GI disease and ELS is still unknown and thus requires further investigation.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Guy Beauchamp for his assistance with statistical analysis, Isabelle Demontigny-Bédard for her assistance with video analysis as well as all owners and dogs.

This study was supported by a grant from Medi-Cal/Royal Canin, Canada.

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