A Phd student at the University of Lincoln has launched a study into the behavioural side effects of drugs in dogs.

Dr Lorella Notari who is also a veterinary surgeon in Milan, Italy, is leading the new project which will look at the psychological impact some medicines have on man's best friend.

Professor Daniel Mills from the university's department of biological sciences will be playing an important role in the Lincoln side of the research.

"The aim of the survey is to recruit a large number of pet owners whose dog is currently receiving treatment for some form of arthritis or skin problem," he said.

"We need information from owners of dogs using different treatments in order to examine if one drug is associated with specific changes.

"So we are asking owners to report on a range of indirect behavioural responses that they observe when their dog is on treatment.

"We can then calculate the chance that a certain drug is associated with a higher risk of certain changes in behaviour and whether this fits with our predictions and initial evidence."

The study will also include carefully devised behaviour tests to test the association between the drugs and any changes in temperament.

This area of research has gone largely unexplored, with the main focus being on the physical impact drugs can have on animals and adapting them to minimise harm.

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