Rolan Tripp, DVM

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Rolan Tripp, DVM

• Canine
• Aggression
• Diagnosis

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Veterinary Staff are at increased risk for injury
due to canine aggression.
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Canine Aggression

• Aggression is the most common canine behavior
  problem referred to veterinary behavior
  consultants.
• The insurance industry pays an estimated 1
  billion per year in dog-bite liability claims
  through home owner policies.
• DVM Newsmagazine

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Whittier Daily News 8-5-02
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Determine severity of bites

• Left a mark?
• Punctured skin?
• Multiple rapid bites?
• Deep bite and thrash?
• Going for face or throat?
• Number of bites in dogs lifetime?
• Any fatalities?

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• CDC
• Data

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Comparing the Risk

• A special kind of horror is reserved for
  mothers who kill their children. Susan Smith, who
  drowned her two young sons by driving her car
  into a lake became a media sensation.
  Unfortunately, in addition to these high-profile
  cases, hundreds of mothers kill their children in
  the United States each year
• From Amazon.com Editorial Review of
• Mothers Who Kill Their Childrenby Cheryl L.
  Meyer Michelle Oberman

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Aggression

• Definition
• Violence or the threat of violence.

• DiagnosisTake a history before you take a
  life.

Determine ContextAnd Motivational Diagnosis
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25 Sub-Types of Aggression

• Agonistic
• Barrier Frustration
• Competitive
• Displaced
• Dominance
• Drug Influenced
• Encephalopathic

• Epileptic
• Fear/Defensive
• Food Guarding
• Hormonally Influenced
• Idiopathic
• Improperly Socialized

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25 Sub-Types of Aggression

• Irritable/Discomfort
• Maternal Protective
• Owner Protective
• Pack Response
• Pain Induced
• Play Escalation
• Possessive

• Predatory
• Senile
• Territorial
• Trained
• Unintentionally Learned

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Brutus

• Signalment 5 yr old, 110 lb Male Intact Mixed
  Breed(Mix of - Rottweiler, Akita Char Pei) No
  training or early socialization experience
• Problem list Hypothyroid Chronic otitis externa
• Presented for Recheck ears and thyroid levels,
  adjust Prednisone dose. Restrained by owner w/
  pronged pinch collar
• Problem Cannot be handled, barks and threatens
  anyone entering exam room. Growls at owners
  attempts to calm.
• Other Previous painful experiences doesnt like
  Bob. Ms brings treats in a Ziploc as requested.

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What sub-types of aggression does Brutus have?

• Agonistic
• Barrier Frustration
• Competitive
• Displaced
• Dominance
• Drug Influenced
• Encephalopathic

• Epileptic
• Fear/Defensive
• Food Guarding
• Hormonally Influenced
• Idiopathic
• Improperly Socialized

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What sub-types of aggression does Brutus have?

• Irritable/Discomfort
• Maternal Protective
• Owner Protective
• Pack Response
• Pain Induced
• Play Escalation
• Possessive

• Predatory
• Senile
• Territorial
• Trained
• Unintentionally Learned

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Aggression Dx for Brutus

• Improperly Socialized
• Irritable (Discomfort)
• Owner Protective
• Pain Induced
• Territorial
• Unintentionally Learned

• Agonistic
• Barrier Frustration
• Drug Influenced
• Dominance
• Fear/Defensive
• Food Guarding
• Hormonally Influenced

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Impulse Dyscontrol Aggression

• Anxiety or Dominance related
• Lack of Warning
• Unpredictability (O point of view)
• Lack of Inhibition serious attack
• May be called, Rage Syndrome.

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Aggression in the Hospital

• Defends the exam room
• Defending owner
• Fearful in exam room
• Owner cant apply a muzzle
• Barking in the reception area
• Male Urine Marking
• Backed into kennel.

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Preventing Aggression

• Raising a gentle adult dog begins with
  socialization and gentle handling as a puppy.

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Summary

• Diagnosing aggression depends on a careful
  history, and analysis of the context of the
  conflict.

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Additional Resources

• www.AnimalBehavior.Net
• Animal Behavior Network Membership
• Pet Perception Management ManualRolan Tripp,
  DVM
• RTripp_at_AnimalBehavior.Net
• Ph [phone]