A multidisciplinary approach to a complex case of psychogenic polydipsia, generalised anxiety and fear-related aggressive behaviour in a dog

This case report presents a one-and-a-half-year-old, male, mixed-breed dog referred for a behavioural consultation due to persistent polyuria and polydipsia as well as behavioural problems, including aggression towards the caregivers and anxiety, both evident since puppyhood. The dog had a history of congenital extra-hepatic portosystemic shunt, diagnosed at 9 months of age. Despite surgery for shunt attenuation and a trial of desmopressin, the dog continued to show polyuria and polydipsia. No other medical causes for the clinical signs were identified, and a referral for a behavioural consultation was made due to suspicion of psychogenic polydipsia. Behaviour assessment revealed that the behaviours stemmed from generalised anxiety and fear-related issues. The behavioural approach focused on managing the dog's anxiety and fear through behavioural modification, environmental management and pharmacotherapy. Over time, the dog showed significant improvement in behaviour and water intake.