Survey on predisposing factors to canine thunderstorm phobia.

Introduction - Aim of this research has been the detection of predominance in canine species of thunderstorm phobia's onset as well as the presence of possible predisposing factors. Materials and methods - An anonymous questionnaire (free access online) has been distributed to a representative sample of the community. This questionnaire is divided into two sections: the information given in the first part deals with the characteristics of the dog and his phobic manifestations during thunderstorms, while the second refers both to the behaviour of the dog showed in such situations and to the owner's behaviour in order to face the problem. Results - According to the owners, one dog out of two shows fear during thunderstorms (49%). neutered females show higher incidence in thunderstorm phobia (58%; chi(2)=10,65; p=0,001), where there actually is a statistically significant difference (chi(2)=5,33; p=0,02) between neutered animals, 38% phobic, and not neutered dogs, 26% phobic. The main part of phobic manifestations/expressions develops before (34%) or during (21%) the first year of age, especially in dogs adopted from dog pounds (43% of the dogs; chi(2)= 13,28; p=0,00) o abandoned (44% of dogs; chi(2)=4,74; p=0,029). Besides, the 27% of phobic dogs lives at home without any other animal, compared to the 36% of dogs living together with one or more dogs (chi(2)=7.9; p < 0,05). Discussion - Despite the seriousness of these symptoms, just the slightest part of thunderstorm phobic dogs' owners admits having tried to solve in some way the problem. Even lower is the percentage of the owners turning to veterinarians expert in behaviour, since they prefer adopting alternative methods of doubtful value. What is necessary is a valid information of the owners about the existence of behavioural and pharmacological therapies that can reduce, or even completely solve, problems related to thunderstorm phobia, also in differential diagnosis from other behavioural pathologies having similar symptomatology, such as separation distress.