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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in the dog world is also known as Canine Compulsive Disorder or CCD. It’s identified by normal dog behaviors that are performed in such an extreme, repetitive way that they are difficult for the dog to stop and can interfere with the dog’s ability to function.
Examples of normal dog behaviors that in some dogs have become compulsive include sucking on their flanks or a toy; incessant licking, called acral lick dermatitis; pacing, spinning, and chasing the tail; freezing and staring; snapping at flies or invisible items; unabated and patterned barking; and excessive drinking of water or eating dirt.
You may be thinking, “Oh, no! My dog does lots of these things.” Many dogs bark a lot, chase their tails, spin when they’re happy, and bite at flies. The key is that they do it in expected situations, stop after a short time, and are able to rest and eat normally. It’s not so much what they do, but the extent to which they do it and their ability to control when they start and stop.
For example, there’s nothing abnormal about a dog who retrieves a ball over and over or spins when excited. But if a dog wants to chase and retrieve or spin for many hours each day to the exclusion of other behaviors, and just can’t seem to stop, it’s time to seek advice from your veterinarian.
There is an ongoing debate about whether dogs are actually capable of obsessing or having their thoughts completely focused on a behavior like people can – hence the change in naming the disorder in dogs to CCD. However, the Merck Veterinary Manual says, “they (dogs) do perceive and experience concern; therefore, the term obsessive-compulsive has also been used to describe this disorder in dogs.”
Research into the causes of compulsive behaviors in dogs is ongoing, and one area being studied is the genetic link. According to Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer, although any breed may develop a compulsive disorder, certain breeds seem to be more susceptible to specific types of compulsive behaviors.
The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, in conjunction with other medical universities, identified a chromosome that confers a high risk of susceptibility of compulsive disorder in breeds. Further research showed that the structural brain abnormalities of Doberman Pinschers afflicted with CCD are similar to those of humans with OCD.
Merck reports that German Shepherd Dogs and Bull Terriers are known to spin or tail chase, while a genetic locus for flank sucking has been identified in Doberman Pinschers. Symptoms often start in young dogs.
Dogs and people with OCD may have altered serotonin transmission, which affects the ability of brain cells and nervous system cells to communicate with each other.
Human and canine medical researchers are studying the common pathways associated with OCD in both species with the hope of finding genetic tests that will allow for earlier intervention and better treatment for dogs and for people.
In addition to the genetic cause, veterinarians and animal behaviorists believe that in some dogs, compulsive behaviors are extreme reactions resulting from a lack of physical and mental stimulation, high anxiety, the absence of a job to do, frustration, arousal, or from receiving insufficient attention.
What are the more common compulsive disorders in dogs?
In dogs, compulsive behaviors include acral lick dermatitis, flank sucking, pacing, circling, incessant or rhythmic barking, fly snapping or chasing unseen objects, freezing and staring, polydipsia (excessive drinking), sucking, licking, or chewing on objects (or owners), tonguing or licking the air and other forms of self mutilation.
There may be a genetic predisposition to compulsive behaviors. For example, flank sucking is most commonly seen in Doberman pinschers, spinning in bull terriers, fly chasing in miniature schnauzers, and acral lick dermatitis in many medium- to large-breed dogs. The diagnosis begins by ruling out or treating possible underlying medical causes. Since a variety of medical problems including painful conditions, neurologic diseases and dermatologic disorders can cause many of these signs, an extensive diagnostic workup may be needed to rule out underlying medical problems. In some cases, trying a pet on a medication such as a seizure control medication or a medication to control pain or itchiness may be part of the diagnostic process. If the problem is diagnosed as a compulsive disorder, drugs that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin may be effective at reducing or controlling some of the signs but concurrent behavior therapy and environmental modifications are also likely to be needed. Common treatments are briefly listed here and include (a) providing a predictable daily routine, (b) providing a reward-based training approach that shapes desirable responses and avoids the use of punishment, (c) avoiding the use of rewards except when desirable behaviors are exhibited so that the pet learns what behaviors predictably earn rewards, (d) providing a few regularly scheduled social interaction sessions (including social play, exercise and training), and (e) between social interaction sessions, providing a settle down area for rest and relaxation that contains stimulating objects and toys that use food and textures to maintain interest.
What are the signs of OCD?
Dogs that are affected with OCD typically limp or are lame in the affected leg or legs. During an orthopedic examination, when pressure is applied to the affected joint or when the joint is manipulated, the dog will often cry out in pain. The affected joint may be swollen and warm to the touch. In some cases, the lameness may be mild and intermittent while in other cases, the dog may be in constant pain and avoids bearing weight on the affected leg.
The results of a lameness examination may be suggestive of this condition, especially if the shoulder is the affected joint. If one of the other joints, such as the stifle (knee), hip, or elbow, other bone conditions must also be considered, including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and elbow dysplasia.
Because of the possibility of permanent lameness, your veterinarian will recommend diagnostic testing if the lameness persists for more than 2 weeks. Radiographs (X-rays) are usually performed to investigate lameness. Several radiographs of each affected leg are necessary in order to get an accurate assessment of various bones and joints. In many cases, this will require a short-acting anesthetic or sedative in order to achieve the optimal positioning for diagnostic purposes. In dogs under 6-7 months of age, X-rays can be challenging to interpret due to the presence of growth physes or growth plates. To reach the diagnosis, it may be necessary to have the X-rays examined by a veterinary radiologist.
In some cases, an arthroscopic examination may be required to reach or confirm the diagnosis.
The OCD lesion can vary in severity, ranging from a crack in the cartilage, to a cartilage flap, to a completely detached fragment of cartilage that is floating around in the joint (called a joint mouse).
If the defect is a crack or a very small flap of cartilage, it may heal if the patient has strict rest and activity restrictions for several weeks. In these cases, the dog will be restricted to short leash walks only, and cage rest will be strongly recommended. Medications to relieve inflammation and supplements to promote joint health will usually be prescribed. Often, you will be taught how to perform passive range of motion (PROM) exercises, in which you will move the joint through its normal range of motion while your dog is lying on his side. This is done to maintain the joints flexibility and mobility.
If the lameness does not improve following this conservative approach, if the cartilage flap becomes folded in the joint, if the cartilage defect is large, or if a piece of cartilage breaks free, surgery will be required to remove the defective flap or the floating piece of cartilage. This may be done by surgically opening the joint or by using an arthroscope. Whatever the surgical technique, the remainder of the cartilage surface will be inspected and any other areas of defective cartilage will be debrided or removed.
Does Your Dog Have OCD?
Researchers say the canine version of OCD is close to the human ailment. Here’s how dogs react and what pet owners can do to help them.
Canine compulsive disorder is not the doggie equivalent of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in people. But it’s close.
According to Elaine Ostrander, PhD, chief of the Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch at the National Human Genome Research Institute, who has been working in dog genetics for 25 years, “it’s a very complex mosaic.”
In remarks reported earlier this month in The Science of Us, Ostrander explained.
“If you want to understand the genetic underpinning of a complex disease, we know there’s lots of genes involved,” she said. “In human populations, there are dozens of genes that contribute. Every family is a little bit different. Some genes seem hereditary; some seem not to be. In dogs, you simplify that mosaic.”
In the search for genes that could be important for animal behavior, or perhaps translate to humans, Ostrander’s lab has investigated everything from infectious disease to cancer, along with conditions like diabetes, kidney failure, retinitis pigmentosa, and gout.
As an associate professor of veterinary medicine at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she sees pets in all kinds of distress.
“Canine compulsive disorder is not extremely common, but we do see it. It’s more recognized now,” she told Healthline.
She explained that better diagnostic tools may account for any rise in the number of cases.
“Owners come in because they want a change [in the dog’s behavior]. It may interfere with their quality of life. It becomes a nuisance and disruptive,” she said.
Certainly a dog that spins in circles for hours, chews on its feet until the skin is raw, or chases invisible prey could be difficult to deal with.
“People with OCD can tell you about their behavior and what their rituals are,” she said. “With dogs we don’t know if they obsess. So we call it compulsive behavior in dogs.”
Some dogs do endless hind end checking, Herron said, noting that schnauzers seem prone to that behavior.
Bull terriers spin, Dobermans lick their limbs and suck their flanks, Labradors hold objects or chew rocks, and King Charles spaniels snap at imaginary flies.
Herron said much of this behavior starts as a coping mechanism, a way to reduce stress, and may continue until the dog is exhausted. The dog may also get an endorphin release.
“The shelter is stressful. And sometimes there’s an underlying medical issue that has to be ruled out,” she said. “But if it’s triggered by something identifiable, it’s probably compulsive.”
“It’s a challenge and may require psychotropic medications as well as reduction of triggering events,” she said.
Depending on the situation, owners may be taught to allow their dogs more physical exercise, provide an alternative coping mechanism, or minimize bright, shiny objects.
“The most severe cases are where we don’t know the trigger,” but medication shows some benefits.
Pat Miller, CPDT, training editor at Whole Dog Journal, said there are five techniques in helping a dog reduce compulsive behavior.
Miller’s advice: Referral to a qualified veterinary behaviorist for consideration of pharmaceutical intervention is nearly always imperative. The selection, prescription, and monitoring of the strong, potentially harmful psychotropic drugs requires the education and skill of a licensed veterinary professional.