[Clomipramine in the treatment of compulsive tail pursuit in bull terrier - case report]

ABSTRACT The compulsive pursuit of the tail is characterized by a rotating movement in circles, slow to fast with or without focus on the tail. It is a disorder commonly observed in bull terrier dogs, being more frequent in males, beginning between 3 and 6 months of age. Diagnosis can be made based on patient history along with physical, neurological, and laboratory tests. Treatment can be done through environmental management and withdrawal of stressors allied with antidepressant drugs. The objective of this article is to report the case of a Bull Terrier that had compulsive pursuit of the tail and had evident clinical improvement 75 days after starting treatment with clomipramine. The improvement was even greater after orchiectomy. Clomipramine is the promising tricyclic antidepressant in the treatment of compulsive tail chasing in dogs. It should be associated with changes in environmental management and avoid triggers that induce frustration, anxiety and conflict.