
Gary M LandsbergCanCog Inc
Gary M Landsberg
BSc, DVM, MRCVS, DACVB, DECAWBM
About
109
Publications
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Introduction
Education
September 1972 - May 1976
Publications
Publications (109)
Behavior Problems of the Dog & Cat, 4th Edition retains the highly practical approach that has proved so successful in previous editions, offering diagnostic guidelines, preventive advice, treatment guidelines and charts, case examples, client forms and handouts, and product and resource suggestions, along with details on the use of drugs and natur...
There are several natural products and functional ingredients that, either alone or in combination with other ingredients, have shown evidence for decreasing signs associated with cognitive dysfunction and anxiety in dogs and cats, and in management of seizures in dogs with epilepsy. The evidence supporting the role that a healthy gastrointestinal...
A novel botanical dietary supplement, formulated as a chewable tablet containing a defined mixture of Souroubea spp. vine and Platanus spp. Bark, was tested as a canine anxiolytic for thunderstorm noise-induced stress (noise aversion). The tablet contained five highly stable triterpenes and delivered 10 mg of the active ingredient betulinic acid (B...
Grooming behavior is essential to keep the skin and coat of cats in good health, and cats spend a significant portion of their day grooming. Normal grooming behavior is a sign of good physical and mental health in cats. Changes in grooming behavior may be caused by medical problems, either dermatological or systemic. “Sickness behavior” that includ...
This second edition of Mental Health and Well-Being in Animals is fully revised, expanded, and comprehensively updated with the most current knowledge about the full array of mental health issues seen in animals. Written by key opinion leaders, internationally-recognized experts and specialists, it is comprehensive covering basic principles to ment...
Owned, shelter, and laboratory cats undergo handling and restraint throughout their lifetime for routine health examinations and necessary procedures. Many cats display fear and aggressive behaviour during health examinations, and there is potential for these behaviours to result in incomplete examination, and inadequate diagnosis and treatment, wh...
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a common condition in senior dogs, which may be analogous to dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) in people. In humans, AD has been associated with many risk factors such as reduced cerebral glucose metabolism, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) deficiency, chronic oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. By...
Imepitoin is a low affinity partial agonist for the benzodiazepine binding site of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors, and is currently used as an antiepileptic in dogs. Here we tested imepitoin for anxiolytic properties. In an in vitro model, imepitoin was capable of preventing the effect of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) on locus coerul...
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease of aged dogs and cats that manifests as behavioral changes, impaired learning and memory, awareness (response to stimuli), and confusion. CDS can severely impact animal welfare and the human-animal bond which may ultimately lead to shortened life span of the pet. Clini...
Treatment options for cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) could target prevention, slowing decline and improving clinical signs. However, while prompt diagnosis and early initiation of treatment have the greatest potential for success, most owners do not report signs until they are significantly advanced and veterinarians fail to educate owners ab...
The book deeply focuses on the epidemiology, diagnostics, therapy and molecular basis of canine and feline dementia or cognitive dysfunction syndrome. The aim is to provide a broad overview of the current knowledge on canine and feline dementia. Experiences of clinicians are appropriately linked with current scientific knowledge in a readily compre...
These proceedings contain oral and poster presentations from various experts on animal behaviour and animal welfare in veterinary medicine presented at the conference.
These proceedings contain oral and poster presentations from various experts on animal behaviour and animal welfare in veterinary medicine presented at the conference.
These proceedings contain oral and poster presentations from various experts on animal behaviour and animal welfare in veterinary medicine presented at the conference.
These proceedings contain oral and poster presentations from various experts on animal behaviour and animal welfare in veterinary medicine presented at the conference.
Objectives:
This study assessed the anxiolytic effectiveness of a test diet (Royal Canin Feline Calm diet) supplemented with L-tryptophan and alpha-casozepine.
Methods:
Subjects were 24 cats that were classified as mildly or markedly fearful based on the presence of a person in their home room. Three different protocols were used to assess anxie...
Objectives:
The objectives of this study were: (1) to develop a laboratory-based model to assess fear and anxiety in cats using the feline open-field test (OFT) and the feline human interaction test (HIT); and (2) to validate the model using diazepam, a known anxiolytic.
Methods:
Laboratory-housed cats (n = 41) were first classified as fearful,...
The objective of the study was to assess the effects of a dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP) collar in reducing sound-induced fear and anxiety in a laboratory model of thunderstorm simulation. Twenty-four beagle dogs naïve to the current test were divided into two treatment groups (DAP and placebo) balanced on their fear score in response to a thunderst...
To examine aspects of the cat, environment and scratching post that might influence scratching behavior, in an effort to determine how inappropriate scratching behavior might be refocused on acceptable targets.
An internet survey, posted on several public websites, gathered details about scratching behavior, as described by owners in their home env...
This study examined the effectiveness of 2 different dosage levels of a fish hydrolysate, a natural supplement derived from fish protein, in reducing fear and anxiety in beagle dogs. A thunderstorm model was used, which entailed playing a recorded track of a thunderstorm to elicit measures in an open field test. Fear and anxiety were assessed with...
Dysregulation of intracellular calcium is associated with increased age and may be linked to cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs. This study examined the effectiveness of apoaequorin, a calcium buffering protein, in modifying cognitive decline in aged beagle dogs in two separate studies. In the first study, 23 aged beagle dogs were separated int...
For many medications, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in pets have not been established and even where studies have been done, there is widespread species and individual variation. Practitioners should start with the lower end of the dose range and titrate up to maximum doses where there is insufficient therapeutic effect and no adverse e...
PURPOSE
The current study examined the effectiveness of DAP® for reducing sound-induced anxiety using a thunderstorm simulation model.
CONCLUSION
DAP® collars reduced global and reactive anxiety to a thunder recording, possibly by counterbalancing noise-related increased reactivity. This supports the use of DAP®* for reducing noise-related fear an...
ABSTRACT PURPOSE:
This double-blind placebo-controlled D.A.P.®i collar study included 62 seven-week-old future guide dogs.
CONCLUSION:
When applied during the socialization period, D.A.P.® was useful in reducing anxiety and fear in puppies during and even beyond the treatment period.
Disorders of fear and anxiety are significant behavioral and physiological concerns in veterinary medicine. Thus, the present studies sought to develop and validate novel preclinical laboratory models for the development of anxiolytics for the veterinary market. Specifically, noise-induced sensitivity and aversion using thunderstorm recordings on a...
Brain aging is a degenerative process manifest by impairment of cognitive function; although not all pets are affected at the same level, once cognitive decline begins it is generally a progressive disorder. Diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is based on recognition of behavioral signs and exclusion of other medical causes that might...
A large number of aged dogs and cats demonstrate behavioral signs consistent with a clinical diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which likely is a consequence of pathological brain aging. Identification of treatments that prevent, halt, or reverse CDS, therefore, represents an unmet need in senior animal veterinary care. NOVIFIT Tabl...
Background The number of pet cats is increasing in most countries, often outnumbering pet dogs, yet cats receive less veterinary care than their canine counterparts. ¹ Clients state the difficulty of getting the cat into a carrier at home, driving to the clinic, and dealing with the fearful cat at the veterinary clinic as reasons for fewer visits....
Physical signs of old age may be obvious, but mental and cognitive changes require more careful observation. Changes in behavior may represent the earliest indications of medical problems, or disorders of the central nervous system, and these may be bidirectional. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is underdiagnosed and affects a substantial portion of...
Feline urine spraying inside the home is a common problem behaviour that owners seek advice for from veterinarians. Individual trials relating to a variety of interventions produce variable results, and to date, no consensus on the value of different treatments has emerged. This study therefore aimed to meta-analyse, current data from appropriate p...
Practical relevance:
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a widely accepted diagnosis in dogs, with established treatment options. In cats, however, our understanding of cognitive dysfunction is still being shaped by ongoing research in the field, and limited treatment options are available. Recent clinical studies indicate that old age in the...
Anxiety and fear are common underlying factors in many canine behavior problems that impair the human–pet bond and often result in abandonment, relinquishment, or euthanasia. A combination of behavioral and pharmacological interventions is used to ameliorate the behavioral signs associated with anxiety-related behaviors in dogs, but there continues...
To evaluate the effectiveness of dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP) in reducing fear and anxiety in puppies and its effects on training and socialization.
Randomized, controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS-45 puppies between 12 to 15 weeks of age at the time of inclusion.
Puppies enrolled in puppy classes were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 groups: 2 large-br...
Behavior problems are among the most common concerns for veterinary clients, and veterinarians need to be comfortable diagnosing and treating these conditions. Knowledge of animal behavior by veterinarians is critical for effective treatment of behavior problems, recognition and diagnosis of medical conditions for which behavior signs prevail, prop...
The veterinary clinic plays a critical role in the prevention and treatment of behavior problems. If behavior problems do begin to emerge, the veterinary clinic can help determine who can advise and guide the owners most practically to improve or resolve the problem. This help might involve the veterinarian, a behavioral technician, a trained staff...
Aged dogs demonstrate cognitive decline that is linked to brain aging. The purpose of the present study was to examine if a commercially available nutraceutical supplement that may be neuroprotective and contains phosphatidylserine, Ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, and pyridoxine could improve cognitive function in aged beagles. Nine aged beagles were tes...
The most common signs associated with separation anxiety (SA) are destruction/rearranging behavior, vocalization, excessive salivation, inappropriate defecation, and urination. To assess a treatment for SA, this multi-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized parallel-arm study was undertaken with 208 client-owned dogs diagnosed with SA....
Canine separation anxiety is a common behavioral problem presented to veterinarians. Associated behaviors are distressing to both dog and owner, have the potential to disrupt the human-companion animal bond, and may lead to euthanasia. The results of this study demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of Reconcile (fluoxetine, 1 to 2 mg/kg/day...
Many treatment options are now available for pets with age-related cognitive dysfunction, including drugs, nutritional supplements, and diets. This article describes the theory, evidence of efficacy, and potential neuroprotective effects of products used to treat cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction is a diagnosis of exclusion, because many...
To identify underlying medical conditions in cats with a presumptive diagnosis of psychogenic alopecia.
Case series.
21 adult cats referred with a presumptive diagnosis of psychogenic alopecia.
A detailed behavior and dermatologic questionnaire was completed by the primary caregiver, and complete behavioral and dermatologic examinations were perfor...
Aging pets often suffer a decline in cognitive function (eg, memory,learning, perception, awareness) likely associated with age-dependent brain alterations. Clinically, cognitive dysfunction may result in various behavioral signs, including disorientation; forgetting of previously learned behaviors, such as house training; alterations in the manner...
The current study describes both Abeta and tau abnormalities that accumulate in the brains of aged (16-21 years), but not young (<4 years) clinically characterized cats. Diffuse plaques that were morphologically different from what is typically observed in the human brain could be detected with 4G8 (Abeta17-24) or an Abeta1-42-specific antibody but...
With increasing age, dogs develop a form of neurodegenerative disease which has many similarities to age related cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in humans. A decline in learning and memory can be demonstrated in dogs beginning as young as 7 years of age using a variety of neuropsychological tests. However, clinical cases of cognitive d...
This paper provides a working framework for enhancing the well-being of senior pet dogs and cats. Approaches to screening the medical status of senior pets are described in detail, with particular emphasis on establishing baseline data in healthy animals, the testing of clinically ill animals, and assessing senior pets prior to anesthesia and surge...
Twenty-five cats exhibiting at least four episodes of vertical urine marking per week were assessed. Following a medical workup, a 4-week clomipramine trial was instituted, using a mean dose of 0.54 mg/kg per os q 24 hours. No concurrent behavioral or environmental modifications were applied. There was a statistically significant (P<0.0001) decreas...
This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a citronella bark collar and a new, scentless spray bark collar in a veterinary hospital or a similar kennel-type environment. Forty-one dogs were included in the study. The efficacy of each collar was evaluated independently in comparison to control as well as in a crossover design. Thirty of the...
1. Simpson BS, Horwitz D, Landsberg G, Luescher A, Neilson J. Enriching the Environment of our Pets, Part 2: Dogs. Veterinary Forum 2003;20:46-54.
Behavior problems in older pets may be due to many of the same causes as in younger pets. However, the effects of aging on the pet's body may cause a dramatic decline or deterioration in organ and sensory function, which may have a profound impact on the pet's behavior. A decline in cognitive function may also afflict older pets, in many instances...
Behavior problems in older pets may be due to many of the same causes as in younger pets. However, the effects of aging on the pet's body may cause a dramatic decline or deterioration in organ and sensory function, which may have a profound impact on the pet's behavior. A decline in cognitive function may also afflict older pets, in many instances...
Scratching is an inherited, normal behavior in cats that is used as a visual and olfactory territorial mark and as a stretching exercise for the forelegs. In addition, it serves to condition the claws by removing the old, worn-out external sheath and exposing the healthy, new claw. When scratching occurs indoors, it often is disruptive and undesira...