Use of narcotic antagonists to modify stereotypic self-licking, self-chewing, and scratching behavior in dogs.
We evaluated 2 narcotic antagonists, naltrexone and nalmefene, for treatment of refractory self-licking, self-chewing, and scratching behavior in dogs. Eleven dogs with various irritative or pruritic disorders were medicated with naltrexone (1 mg/kg of body weight, sc) or nalmefene (1 to 4 mg/kg, sc), after a period of control observation during which the dogs had not been medicated. The time for which the dogs were involved in self-licking, self-chewing, or scratching was determined retrospectively by analysis of videotapes. The rates of involvement in either activity before and after treatment were calculated and compared statistically. Treatment with a narcotic antagonist significantly reduced the time spent self-licking, self-chewing, or scratching in 7 of 11 dogs, was partially effective in 3 dogs, and was ineffective in one dog. Dogs with acral lick dermatitis responded most to treatment.
Dodman
N H
NH
Department of Veterinary Surgery, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536.
Shuster
L
L
White
S D
SD
Court
M H
MH
Parker
D
D
Dixon
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone; C038981:nalmefene