New biological treatments for canine anxiety including anti-NGF antibodies offer welfare improvements for dogs with chronic anxiety disorders resistant to other treatments.
Chronic anxiety in dogs causes continuous welfare harm through sustained activation of the stress response system. Dogs with separation anxiety experience acute panic responses multiple times per week that cause physiological harm beyond the immediate behavioural distress. New biologic treatments that target specific anxiety pathways offer welfare improvements for dogs whose anxiety has been resistant to conventional medication. The welfare investment in anxiety treatment through veterinary referral and appropriate medication significantly improves quality of life.