Use of clomipramine to treat ritualistic stereotypic motor behavior in three dogs

Atypical, stereotypic motor and locomotor behavior was observed in 3 dogs. In 1 dog, the behavior included circling, vocalization, and snapping; in another, circling associated with pica and aerophagia; and in a third, gradually intensifying locomotor behavior stimulated by bright light. This behavior interfered with normal interaction between their owners and the dogs, and has been associated with obsessive-compulsive disorders. Treatment with clomipramine, along with other psychotropic medications and behavioral modification, suppressed the inappropriate behavior in all dogs; in 2 of the 3 dogs, the condition worsened when clomipramine treatment was withdrawn. Clomipramine may be helpful in treatment of such behavioral disorders, but one should consider the ability of such drugs to mask or worsen metabolic or neurologic problems, to induce toxicoses when used at inappropriate dosages, and to be abused by human beings.