ResearchGastrointestinal disorders in dogs with excessive licking of surfaces
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.
References (35)
- et al.
Signals for nausea and emesis: implications for models of upper gastrointestinal diseases
Auton. Neurosci.
(2006) - et al.
Manifestations of chronic and acute stress in dogs
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
(1997) - et al.
Behavioral, saliva cortisol and heart rate responses to different types of stimuli in dogs
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
(1998) - et al.
Defensive behaviours in wild and laboratory (Swiss) mice: the mouse defense test battery
Physiol. Behav.
(1998) - et al.
Histopathological standards for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal inflammation in endoscopic biopsy samples from the dog and cat: a report from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Gastrointestinal Standardization Group
J. Comp. Pathol.
(2008) The functional gastrointestinal disorders and the Rome III process
Gastroenterology
(2006)- et al.
Analysis of leucocyte subsets in the canine intestine
J. Comp. Pathol.
(1999) Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Why is neurobiology of nausea and vomiting so important?
Appetite
(2008)- et al.
Fear and anxiety: animal models and human cognitive psychophysiology
J. Affect. Disord.
(2000)
Diagnosis and management of compulsive disorders in dogs and cats
Vet. Clin. North Am. Small. Anim. Pract.
Pathological anxiety in animals
Vet. J.
Video analysis of dogs with separation-related behaviors
Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Endoscopy and laparoscopy in veterinary gastroenterology
Diseases of the stomach
Randomized, multicenter comparison of oral granisetron and oral ondansetron for emetogenic chemotherapy
Pharmacotherapy
Efficacy of clomipramine in the treatment of canine compulsive disorder
J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc.
Cited by (32)
Obsessive compulsive/compulsive disorder in companion animals: An ethological approach
2024, Journal of Veterinary BehaviorSkin Disease and Behavior Changes in the Cat
2024, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal PracticeCognitive Changes Associated with Aging and Physical Disease in Dogs and Cats
2024, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal PracticeBehavior Changes Associated with Metabolic Disease of Dogs and Cats
2024, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal PracticeInflammation and Behavior Changes in Dogs and Cats
2024, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal PracticeDog owners' recognition of pain-related behavioral changes in their dogs
2023, Journal of Veterinary Behavior