Do dogs ever suffer from psychosomatic illnesses?

Certainly, there is evidence that the onset, or persistence, of certain types of illnesses in dogs may be influenced by emotional factors. Animal of an anxious and apprehensive disposition may respond to emotional stress by developing diarrhoea (’psychogenic diarrhoea‘) or becoming prone to attacks of colitis (inflammation of the colon) in exactly the same way as humans of similar temperament. The sudden and uncontrollable onset of very short periods of muscle relaxation and sleep during the daytime (narcolepsy) has been reported in the dog, as well as in man, to be the result of emotional stimulation. On rare occasions even hair loss has been associated with a stressful situation.

Although investigation of this subject is in its infancy, it would appear that, just like people, some dogs may react to stress with behavioral changes and others with functional disturbances.

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