The Signs of Mental Illness in Dogs

Scientific research shows dogs are emotional beings and can suffer mental health challenges. Mental health in veterinary circles is now being structured into a separate department of study. There are books written on this topic of mental illness in dogs by professionals such as, Dr. Nicholas Dodman's "Dogs Behaving Badly", and Dr. Franklin D. McMillan's "Mental Health and Well-being in Animals". Dr. Frank's textbook is the first of its kind. He most recently is noted for working with the behavioral challenges of the 22 Vicktory dogs (Vick case fighting pit bulls) at Best Friends Sanctuary, in Kanab, Utah.

One study shows a dog's mental health suffers simply through domestication and living with humans. Since humans pamper and do everything for their dogs, problem-solving skills and intelligence is sacrificed. Literally, dogs do not grow up in the human home. The result can manifest itself in emotional suffering, cognitive dysfunction, mental illness, emotional abuse and mental cruelty, according to Dr. Franklin McMillan on this subject, "Mental Health and Well-being in Animals".

A recent article by Dr. Nicholas Dodman on Dog Star Daily said "For twenty years I have realized that the behavior problems I see in pet animals, especially dogs, are for the most part facsimiles of conditions psychologists and psychiatrists see in people." Dr. Dodman's research focuses on compulsive disorders in dogs.

Unfortunately, truly mentally ill dogs can show signs as early as five weeks old.

What are the mental illnesses in dogs?

Schizophrenia

As in humans schizophrenia, in dogs it will show itself in the exhibition of opposing behaviors. One moment the dog is seeking attention, cuddling and then will growl, snap and even bite their owner later, even moments later.

In people, coming to grips with reality is real life for sufferers. In dogs, it is characterized with rapid changes in personality. It can be a complex and disturbing disorder to live with for owner and dog. Emotions change quickly, almost hair trigger, and even changes in emotion of the owner can quickly trigger a schizophrenic reaction in the dog.

Depression

According to John Ciribassi, DVM, in Web MD Pets, dog depression symptoms are similar to those in humans. Dogs will become withdrawn, inactive, sleep and eating patterns can also change. Participation in activities the dog once enjoyed diminishes, according to Dr. Ciribassi.

Unprovoked acts of aggression

Unprovoked in and of itself is the definition of aggression, although there are many other reasons for aggression. The dog sees the world in a threatening way, which may or may not be able to be identified in regard to finding the core behavior. Often, fear is at the center of the behavior, or trauma, especially post traumatic disorder (PTSD), or over-the-top genetics. Whether nature or nurture, it is a cause of great concern and considered a mental illness.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Constant and repetitious behaviors, anything that looks abnormal could be an obsessive compulsive disorder from tail chasing, to back rolling, to eating rocks, pine cones, or snapping at invisible flies. Often, in working with challenging dogs OCD will crop up and even cause anxieties of interaction to the environment, to strangers and to other dogs. Dogs who may not want to go for a walk, or who compulsively eat sticks, or ground debris or stop periodically to chase their tail as stress increases might have OCD. Strange behaviors could qualify as OCD and can even indicate future health problems.

Separation Anxiety or Panic Disorder

Separation anxiety can be compulsive in nature, as in a continuing panic disorder. Seeing many of these cases from mild to extreme, it is one of the most difficult to work through and cure. In the extreme case, separation anxiety is compulsively acted out each time the dog has any idea it could be left alone. Clients have described the behavior as "he freaks out". It can be a real mental disorder and once health disorders are identified and treated, then a behavioral process can begin and be successful 87 to 95 percent of the time, according to ethologist Roger Abrantes in his book "Dogs Home Alone," an excellent program for separation anxiety disorders.

Extreme fear

Extreme fear is considered a phobia. As in humans, dogs can experience fear in extreme form. A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder and can cause health problems long-term. A traumatic event, such as a dog attack, or abuse by humans, can be considered a phobia, but by the same token there often is not a trigger. Extreme fear can manifest itself as a genetic factor and teaching the dog to cope with real life will become important for the rest of the dog's life. If not genetic, the cause could be deemed subtle and hard to identify.

Neurological diseases and disorders

Simply a hypoglycemic reaction in a dog can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, body tremors. Hypothyroidism can cause a dog to dysfunction mentally and in some breeds also cause seizures, as is the case with my own Belgian Tervuren, Chancellor. Since very young, nine-weeks-old, it was evident there was a neurological challenge with Chancellor in the form of human reactivity, worry in performance situations and the appearance of claustrophobic behaviors. If neurological diseases and disorders are causing mental illness, it is possible a diagnosis will not surface for years.

What are the signs of mental illness in dogs?

Imbalances in brain chemistry can cause mental illness in dogs. Whether it is due to continuous stress, health issues or genetic breeding, the signs of mental illness can range from mild to extreme. Even sound sensitivities that are over-the-top can be a sign of mental illness. Mental illness could be defined as behaviors an animal or human cannot control and therefore, it is critical to rule out health issues before attempting a behavioral process. Treatment may include medication to stabilize the condition and can go a long way in partnership with behavior treatment. Identifying the underlying cause is the key to the treatment of signs of mental illness in dogs.

If a dog behaves in any of the ways below, it is time for a thorough veterinary check:

Appetite suppression or a ravenous appetite resulting in abnormal weight loss or gain.
Aggressive behavior of which I work with daily and see the effects can be mild to extreme
An iincrease or decrease in drinking of water. In a most recent case study, a small liver was the discovery after many tests and the end result a liver shunt via surgical process. In the very least a change in how much water is being consumed can be the first sign of a health issue and at the extreme mental illness.

Stress hair loss, abnormal and unseasonal shedding can be a sign of stress, tension and anxiety.
Fatigue - sleeping too much, too long can indicate depression.
When unexplained behavior becoming obsessive from tail chasing to hyperactivity.
Accelerated hyperactivity that is obsessive in nature,

The key to success is to get a proper diagnosis from the proper professionals such as veterinarians, veterinarian behaviorists, behaviorists, behavior consultants, behavior trainers. Medical professionals and behavioral professions can work together to make a real difference in the quality of life of a dog with a mental illness.