~ Written by Apurva Joshi
I am sure a majority of people have come across posts on Instagram talking about how their “dogs are broken” when they show sudden anger and hostility. Well, “broken” just might be the wrong word to use in the context. Here is why -
Ever thought of your loyal pal going into an uncontrollable mood of bellicose - without having any memory of it after? I don't think anyone could have ever thought about their domestic dogs going into a state of such sheer hostility that they almost morph into Cujo, Stephen King’s fictional rabid dog. Well, if your dog does end up becoming a combative menace, there is a high chance that it suffers from a syndrome called Sudden Onset Idiopathic Aggression (SOIA), also referred to by its more commonly used term “Rage Syndrome”. This is a rare but severe form of dominance aggression that some dogs suffer from. Certain breeds seem more susceptible to suffer from rage syndrome, including Cocker and Springer Spaniels (hence the once-common terms – Spaniel rage, Cocker rage, and Springer rage), Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and Lhasa Apsos.
It has also been reported that the onset occurs most commonly in dogs 1-3 years old. Furthermore, there is no identifiable stimulus or trigger that could cause this reaction. So, how can you identify if your dog is suffering from this rare syndrome?
There are a few indications that have been reported over time, such as:
the dog’s eyes glaze over and their pupils dilate and once in a while change color amid and after the assault
the dog becomes stiff directly before an attack (moving into an attack position)
The dog might often be sleeping just before an attack is triggered,
They may become unaware of their surroundings after an attack, and become docile once the rage is over.
Following the attack, the dog may appear disoriented and confused. It may even behave submissively, completely unaware of what has just happened.
However, you can not accurately predict if your dog suffers from SOIA by sitting at home and scrolling through symptoms on the net. Only a veterinarian can help diagnose the condition through an electroencephalogram (EEG) or genetic testing.
Possible reasons as to why this syndrome occurs
Genetics- it is a possibility that SOIA is an inherited genetic disorder.
Some people believe that it is a type of epilepsy or a form of schizophrenia.
It could have resulted through casual breeding
Lack of early socialization
Low serotonin levels as serotonin creates a calming effect on the brain.
Inexperienced owners who do not understand enough about dog psychology causing a break in their relationship as owner and pet.
However, these are only theories, there is no one identifiable cause that leads to the rage syndrome though genetics are said to play a prime role as the root of the syndrome.
Treatment
Since this disease has no known cause, it cannot be modified and/or reduced through desensitization and counterconditioning, making it a very troublesome condition to deal with. Sometimes, some dogs respond to different drug therapies and there some have been treated with phenobarbital (common for epilepsy or seizure disorders). This is given because the rage syndrome can be considered similar to epilepsy, as it affects the brain’s emotion centres and causes sudden attacks that the dog is unaware of afterwards. But because the cause or triggers of this rare type of aggressive outburst are generally unidentifiable, medical and behavioral intervention is extremely difficult and frequently unsuccessful. Hence, in many cases of dogs diagnosed with Sudden Onset Idiopathic Aggression, the recommended solution is humane euthanasia.
Ultimately, it is good news that this syndrome is extremely rare, and every few dog breeds are diagnosed with this syndrome. Still, SOIA can be a frustrating condition and dog owners with dogs suffering through this disease must have patience and persistence as they might be subjected to constant attacks by affected dogs. Since SOIA is hypothesized to be an inherited genetic disorder, it is recommended that dogs suffering through this syndrome are not bred so as to prevent the spread of the gene.
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