Can you dog blame dog aggression on poor health?
Sudden aggression in dogs may be caused by medication issues. However, dog’s who may be aggressive for a numbers of reasons may also have medical problems. Up to 50% of the behavior cases seen by University of Pennsylvania have additional medical complications. But while it is difficult to determine whether a medical condition is solely responsible for your dog’s aggression, it is common for sick dogs and dogs in pain to behave differently than they normally would when they are feeling well.
Dog aggression could result from an illness, injury or chronic pain, such as underlying medical problems such as painful muscles, joints, and teeth, an uncomfortable gastrointestinal system or neurological problems. Aggression can be toward nearest human or animal.
Ruling out medical causes of dog aggression
It is advisable that at the onset of any sign of aggression, all possible medical causes are ruled out. The best professional to consult for this is a veterinary behaviorist. Your vet can do this on your behalf.
If an injury, disease, genetic or congenital defect is deemed the cause of the dog’s mood swings or aggression, then training will be ineffective until the problem has been resolved or controlled.
If the temperament problem is genetic in nature, then the likelihood that the animal can be completely cured of the aggression is minimal. The treatment would then concentrate on the “management” of the behavior rather than an absolute cure.
Other conditions (like Hypothyroidism) can be effectively treated with medication prescribed by your veterinarian.
A few medical conditions that may cause aggressive behavior in dogs
- Any condition which causes inflammation of the brain, can also cause neurological problems, including aggression.
- Increased aggression around food and an increased appetite could be related to hormonal diseases.
- Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome which is associated with age related degeneration can be managed through medication, and environmental and behavior modification.
- The loss of hearing or sight can cause a dog to be caught off guard, resulting in aggression.
- Epilepsy may also lead to aggression. Certain dog breeds are more likely than others are more susceptible to hereditary Primary Epilepsy, but there are many other causes of epilepsy, some of which are unknown.
See the following conditions that may lead to dog aggression for more information:
• Brain chemistry/Imbalances
• Hypothyroidism
• Encephalitis (bacterial or viral) Distemper
• Hypoglycemia
• Hydrocephalus in brachycephalics
• Brain tumors
• Head trauma
• Behavioral Seizures
• Medicines