Accidental electroshock of fish in a recirculation facility

should be interpreted carefully, as the ability to generate significance is in part determined by the sample size, baseline rating and the magnitude of the effect. The data must therefore be considered a conservative estimate of any effect. Nonetheless, one of the most striking features is the apparent lack of effect of psychoactive medication. Post hoc analysis of those behaviours occurring in six or more subjects receiving medication found no significant difference between the median baseline ratings of these animals and those not using psychoactive medication. However, those using medication were reportedly less compliant with the instruction to ignore their dog whenever it appeared anxious (P<0-05). In addition, those using medication together with the CD (n=8) were less likely to ensure that the dog was relaxed before the CD was started and less likely to use the CD daily (P<0-05) than those who used the CD without medication. There was no significant difference reported in the tendency of these groups to reward the dog when it was relaxed during the playing of the CD, the tendency to play the CD during a real firework display, their reported ability to find time to play the CD or the apparent frequency of use of the CD. There was no significant difference between those that used medication and DAP (n=6) and those that did not use medication with DAP (n=22) in the length of time that DAP was used. Investigation of factors potentially associated with use of the CD suggested that those using the CD reported a significantly higher baseline level of panting (P<0-05). No significant difference in the baseline level of any other behaviour before treatment was found and so it may be concluded that this treatment group was of generally similar presentation to the rest of the population, with the exception of this one sign. These owners and the subset using only the CD were no more likely to ignore the dog when it appeared anxious than the rest of the population. A similar analysis of the data relating to those using DAP, in combination or exclusively, found no difference in baseline rating for any behaviour, nor in the reported tendency to ignore the dog when anxious. It is generally advised that medication should not be used without concomitant behaviour therapy (Mills and Simpson 2002), and many veterinary behaviour therapists have suspected that, while some owners resist the use of drugs, others see it as an easier option than a behavioural therapy and training programme. These results reinforce this concern, since they suggest that owners who received medication for their dog were less likely to comply with the instructions relating to other aspects of therapy for their dog's fear. These results also serve to emphasise the differences between controlled recruitment-based studies and their application in practice discussed above. It appears that the use of a CD desensitisation programme and DAP are both effective in reducing a large number of the signs associated with a fear of fireworks. The results relating to the use of DAP are consistent with the earlier findings of Sheppard and Mills (2003) using a slightly different protocol. There do not appear to be any large-scale studies reported in the scientific literature on the efficacy of a CD-based desensitisation programme for this problem. It is worth noting from these preliminary results that the use of both treatments was associated with a greater level of reduction in owner-seeking behaviour, vigilance, restlessness and salivation than either treatment alone. In the present study and that reported by Sheppard and Mills (2003), in which DAP was used alone, there was no evidence of a significant reduction in ownerseeking behaviour or bolting; however, the present results suggest that a significant reduction in these behaviours can be obtained if DAP iS used in combination with a systematic desensitisation programme. This may be important if either or both of these signs are among the primary target behaviours which the client wishes to change. Several potential differences between these two treatments are also suggested from the results; for example, the use of DAP alone had a greater effect than any other single treatment variable on reducing the tendency to hide, vocalise or be startled, while use of the CD was associated with a greater reduction in restlessness. Larger and more controlled studies are necessary to confirm the significance of these suggestions. These results should provide guidance to the clinician as to what can reasonably be expected from the relatively limited advice that can be given within the context of the general consulting room, and caution against the prescription of medication as a quick and easy solution to the problem of fear of fireworks in dogs.