Hello Karen,
There have been some evidence of shelter dogs being at increased risk for separation anxiety. There was a study published in 2014 that looked at the effects of preadoption counseling on the prevention of separation anxiety in newly adopted shelter dogs (Herron et al). They found that brief preadoption counseling (description of SA clinical signs, food toy at departure, safe haven, exercise, downplay departure and arrivals, no punishment, and crate training instructions) did not prevent the occurrence of separation anxiety in dogs. Neither did other dogs in the home.
Separation Related Problems can be complex and multifactorial. Some dogs have medical conditions, some confinement anxiety, some noise phobias/storm phobias that contribute or cause the behavior. In other words, these dogs often need a medical work-up with the veterinarian and often help from a veterinary behaviorist.
To answer your questions, I do feel that long term confinement can contribute to separation related behaviors with confinement anxiety and not primarily separation anxiety being the most likely consequence. Obtaining behavioral help for these dogs is important as many need pharmaceuticals to reduce the anxiety or "panic" component of the behavior. Identifying the underlying cause will be needed before behavior modification can be considered.
In regards to your ringworm question, I will let someone else answer that question. I am pretty sure that American Pets Alive has a unique way in which they manage their ringworm cases. They adopt them out rather than isolate them.
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Christine D. Calder DVM
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Calder Veterinary Behavior Services
www.caldervbs.comVeterinary Behaviorist
Behavior Specialist, MPF
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-03-2021 12:35 PM
From: Karen Baragona
Subject: Prevalence in, and prevention of, separation distress in dogs following longterm medical isolation?
Hi all. I'm wondering what our community knows about the impact of longterm medical isolation on behavior--particularly relating to separation anxiety.
At the shelter where I work (on the behavior & training team), we have a young adolescent dog (8 months old at intake) who was picked up as a stray, tested positive for ringworm, and according to our vet protocols, had to go into medical isolation. We've had a tough time finding a foster placement for him because of ringworm's high transmissibility. So he has been in iso for more than 5 weeks now. He does have regular daily interactions (walks, play, etc.) with a few staff members, but most of the time he is alone.
He was adopted on Monday 11/29 but returned 48 hours later due to behavior consistent with severe separation distress. According to the adopter, the dog panicked immediately whenever the adopter closed the bathroom door or the front door. He scraped so frantically that the adopter worried the dog would injure himself, and within a few moments damaged the wood on both doors. The adopter also reported that the dog had to be in physical contact with him at all times. He said he literally could not leave the dog alone for a minute, never mind being able to leave his apartment. We've started the dog on situational and daily anxiety meds and are seeking a foster who's willing to work with the issues reported by the adopter.
So I'm wondering whether colleagues have seen much of this. Do you feel that long term iso can be a significant factor in separation anxiety that subsequently shows up in a home environment? Do you know of any research--published or ongoing--on the subject? Do other shelters have experience treating ringworm with less isolation? How do you recruit fosters for dogs with ringworm given its contagiousness? Thanks for any ideas & information.
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
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Karen Baragona, CPDT-KA
Training & Behavior Associate
Animal Welfare League of Arlington (VA)
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