Emotional Arousal Impacts Physical Health in Dogs: A Review of Factors Influencing Arousal, with Exemplary Case and Framework

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Emotional arousal can impact physiological health in both human-animals and non-human animals. Currently, most work in the field of veterinary behavioural medicine focuses on reducing the activation of the protective emotional systems (including, but not limited to fear-anxiety). The assessment and treatment of all emotional systems, with equal weight placed on the engaging systems and protective systems, has not traditionally been considered in the treatment of physiological health of veterinary species. This article discusses the relationship between emotional arousal and physiological health with particular reference to the role of sleep. A case report of a seven month old male entire Cocker Spaniel showing fly-snapping behaviour is presented. The emotional health assessment and treatment of this case is described to demonstrate the effect of an appropriate behavioural medicine treatment plan in cases such as this. The authors put forward the argument that an emotional health assessment should be considered an essential component of the work up of all such cases. ABSTRACT: Excessive emotional arousal has been shown to impact physiological health in both veterinary species and human animals. The focus of work in many models of veterinary behavioural medicine has predominantly been associated with reducing activation of the protective emotional systems; in particular, fear-anxiety. The management of the engaging emotional systems of desire-seeking, social play, care and lust has not traditionally been considered in the treatment of physiological health of veterinary species. This article reviews the literature in both veterinary and human fields on the relationship between emotional arousal of both protective and engaging emotional systems and physical health conditions. The current literature describing the regulatory control of sleep on emotional arousal is also discussed. An exemplary case report of a seven month old male entire Cocker Spaniel showing fly-snapping behaviour which had been non-responsive to leviteracetam (Keppra) is presented. The emotional health assessment and treatment of this case is described along with the short and long term (fourteen month follow up) outcomes to demonstrate that some patients presenting in this way can be effectively managed with an appropriate behavioural medicine treatment plan. The authors put forward the argument that an emotional health assessment should be considered an essential component of the work up of all such cases.