HVVMS Webinar: Canine Aggression – A Case-Based Approach
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Event Details
Presented by: Vanessa Spano, DVM, DACVB
One of the top reasons for relinquishment of companion animals to shelters is behavior. For dogs specifically, the main behavioral complaint is aggression. As veterinarians are sometimes the only pet professionals that owners may seek out, they must be equipped with a basic understanding about canine aggression in order to perform a thorough risk assessment on behalf of families, as well as to prescribe appropriate treatment on behalf of their patients’ welfare. During this lecture, we’ll discuss how to appropriately work up a case of canine aggression, first ensuring there are no pathophysiological components. We’ll delve into the varying medical and behavioral differential diagnoses, which will ultimately affect the treatment plan. We’ll conclude by reviewing a comprehensive treatment plan with application to a real-life case of Dr. Spano’s!
Learning Objectives:
- What are examples of poor prognostic indicators and risk factors for the outcome of euthanasia in cases of canine aggression?
- What are some medical differentials to consider to rule out a diagnosis of pathophysiological aggression?
- What are some examples of psychopharmacotherapeutics that have proven beneficial for cases of canine aggression in the literature?
- What are their mechanisms of action?
- What are their potential side effects?
- Why is punishment-based training contraindicated in cases of canine aggression?
- What should veterinarians recommend their clients to monitor to determine if the treatment plan is working?
For More Information:
Dr. Vanessa Spano, DVM, DACVB, is New York City’s only board-certified veterinary behaviorist. She is currently accepting new patients through her role as Service Head of the Behavior Department at the esteemed Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. Clients can request an appointment by filling out a questionnaire at: www.amcny.org/behavior. Dr. Spano also offers virtual Vet-2-Vet consults at a lower cost for those clients who cannot travel for an in-person appointment.
Dr. Spano received her B.A in Biology from Barnard College of Columbia University. She received her DVM degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College of the University of PEI in 2017 and subsequently completed a rotating small animal medicine and surgical internship at the ASPCA. Dr. Spano obtained her board certification in 2023 from the American College of Veterinarian Behaviorists after completing her residency under the mentorship of Dr. E’lise Christensen, DVM, DACVB. She previously served as Medical Director at the ASPCA’s Adoption Center in NYC and worked as a behavior consultant and per diem veterinarian for patients of NYPD’s Humane Law Enforcement. Her special interests include the implication of psychological trauma for patients part of cruelty cases, psychopharmacology, shelter medicine, and companion and farm animal welfare. She actively contributes to multiple scientific articles and received the Fear Free Grant for her research on pre-veterinary visit anxiolytics in shelter cats in 2023.
She and her family share their home with their 1 rescue puppy, Puppia, and 5 rescue cats, Little Prince, Dancer, Princess, Sunny D, and Brodie.