Pet care: Disorders of the brain are rarely simple

Third in a series.

Compulsive disorders are a harsh reality for anybody who is saddled by a literally uncontrollable requirement to engage in repetitive, aka stereotypic, behaviors. Most are related to somewhat normal activities, but they’re exaggerated, serving no useful purpose. They’re regarded as ritualistic because the sequences appear the same each time. And they may continue for a long time, and are usually difficult or impossible to interrupt.

Well-intentioned people have tried all manner of corrections, along with attempts to redirect the mental focus of these sad pets. They are wasting everybody’s time and energy while repetition strengthens the responsible neural pathways in the brain. Until dogs like Milo are treated appropriately, they get worse. The underlying problem in this poor little guy’ noggin needed the best modern medicine had to offer.

Milo’s compulsive attention to his rear end is rooted in his brain’s anatomy. He has a dysfunction called a cortico-striatal-thalamocortical loop. Once his spinning and snapping started, it continued on autopilot. For another affected dog, the symptoms may be different, like flank sucking, rear end checking, fly biting, circling, pacing, or shadow or light chasing. A few drink excessive quantities of water. Spinning and self-mutilation are common. Tailoring the right medication for Milo would be the only way of helping him out of this jungle.

Milo’s early symptoms might have made his diagnosis easy to miss. His person, Rob, explained that the behavior started a year earlier with his boy sniffing at the tip of his tail. One week later he began to spin slowly and then chase his tail, sometimes triggered by normal household noises. Pretty soon Milo could no longer sleep during the day. It was worse when he was confined to his crate.

Next week: I told Rob I’d do whatever was necessary to help.

Thanks for reading the stories and information I share on the wellbeing of pets. And however you celebrate the holidays, please do it safely. Your pets need you. Cat homes should lose the tinsel. No chocolate or bones from the roast beast for your dog.

For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom group conference at drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations in person and in groups by Zoom (drjeffnichol.com). Each week he shares a blog and a video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Post pet questions through drjeffnichol.com/contact/ or mail 4000 Montgomery NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109.