Mental Illnesses?

[shadowwolf966]

Is it possible for a wolf to have a mental illness? Like, autism or something??? Or is that just humans....

[Sintact]

Wolf's brains are different from human's in that way... though as humans, wolves can get traumas that affect their personality and way of being in certain situations. I don't have any record of a wolf having a mental illness, just in the case they have been treated with human drugs or eaten some kind of poison that might have an effect in the wolf's brain... if that doesn't kill them. I forgot the name of that illness, but it is something that affects dogs sometimes, and causes them to shake heavily, lose balance and have a kind of transtornation in their way of being (too aggressive,etc)

[shadowwolf966]

yeah, i've heard of that illness.... i can't remember what it's called, but i didn't know wolves could have it. Ok, thanks sintact.

[SolitaryHowl]

yeah, i've heard of that illness.... i can't remember what it's called, but i didn't know wolves could have it. Ok, thanks sintact.

Perhaps you are thinking of rabies? Although, eventually, rabies causes death.

[Sintact]

Nope, it is not rabies as that doesn't affect the brain entirely. This illness caused because of poison affects the brain completely, as acids are involved in the reaction. When I have the time, I will post the name of this problem; my own dog has it... though it would be weird if a wolf consumes this poison too (human interaction)

[Songdog]

I would think that these sorts of thing would be very rare in the wild. Theoretically, anything that is detrimental to the wolf can severely hinder its chances for survival. If it doesn't survive long, it has little chance of passing down its genetics, therefore the illness would be bred out of that population.

I'm not saying it's impossible but probably would not be something you commonly see. Pets and captive animals would more likely have these problems do to inbreeding, as well as the fact that they do not have to fend for themselves, and thus can afford to have weaknesses or genetic errors.

I know that cats can develop Alzheimer's in late age (and my cat does seem to have it), and I believe dogs can get it too. But as I said, domestic animals are more likely to survive with these traits and pass them on. Also, they are more likely to reach old age when they'd start to exhibit these syndromes, as many mental disorders do not show until later age.

I remember reading that pups and wolves that have epilepsy or have seizures are often attacked and killed by their own pack mates during a seizure.

[skinwalker3]

Wolves can have mental illnesses. Most unlike humans. but in such cases as inbreeding, some wolves will become aggressive or unruly since they have a mental issue. Though it's not common.

[pawnee]

I think if dogs can have mental illnesses then wolves could have them too. Though as mentioned before, handi-capped wolves would have little chance of surviving in the wild.

I'm not sure if animals can be labeled with the same illnesses people get/develop. Though animals can show Traumatic stress caused by a situation such as war or watch their family members die.

Elephant orphans rescued in some parts of africa, chimpanzees and other animals can show signs of sevre stress that develop into neurotic disorders. One case I was reading about listed a chimp that saw humans come into his captive home and fired at the animals. The chimp began to eat his fingers and develop personality disorders after her expirenced this episode.

I guess it really depends what one considers a mental handi-cap versus a personality disorder developed by certain situations.

[skinwalker3]

I agree. While dogs and wolves probably share the same illness, it's unlikely to get the same one as a human. Also, as Pawnee said, they probably wouldn't survive long, in the wild or in a zoo/sanctuary.

[SolitaryHowl]

Question has clearly been answered.

Please don't merely repeat other's posts. If you have nothing to add; don't post.