Integrating use of psychotropic drugs with environmental management and behavioral modification for tretment of problem behavior in animals

摘要

Few, if any, behavioral practitioners would mainrain that use of drugs alone is sufficient to bring about a satisfactory and lasting resolution to most problem behaviors. However, there is reason to believe that selective use of psychotropic drugs canaid resolution of some problem behaviors that, for one reason or another, may not respond to environmental and behavioral approaches alone. The recent enthusiasm for the use of drugs in behavior therapy is, in part, the result of the availability of drugs, developed for use in people, that have the potential to change behavior without causing serious adverse effects. But widespread use of drugs for problem behaviors brings up the possibility that environmental management and behavior modification, which are important for long-term resolution of problem behaviors, will be neglected and that animals and their owners may not be well served. Thus, it is important that, veterinarians who are considering using drugs for behavior therapy of companion animals understand how and when to integrate use of such drugs with environmental management and behavioral modification.