1,720,995 research outputs found
A case of thunderstorm phobia in a Maremma sheepdog
No full textA 5-year-old neutered female Maremma sheepdog, probably crossed with a Retriever, was examined due to a severe phobia of thunderstorms and loud noises. Adopted in late summer, she immediately presented signs of thunderstorm phobia and nocturnal awakenings. For this reason, the owners immediately turned to a veterinary behaviorist, who recommended behavior modification training based on creating a safe zone, desensitization and counter-conditioning with general thunderstorm sound effects. The therapy seemed to have immediately an effective outcome immediately, thanks to the start of autumn and decreasing thunderstorms, however due to the return of spring the dog started to show the same symptoms again. During the second visit, performed by the author, videos of nocturnal awakenings and panic reactions associated with thunderstorms were evaluated. The diagnosis was of phobia of thunderstorms and loud noises, characterized by sporadic panic attacks. Behavioral modification therapy was continued and Adaptil Collar® was introduced and Alprazolam as needed was prescribed. After the first summer, the owners agreed to administer Clomipramine on an ongoing basis to prepare the dog for the next summer. In the presence of medium-intensity thunderstorms, behavioral manifestations were reduced to trembling only and symptoms of anxiety in response to a change in barometric pressure had almost disappeared. Finally, thanks to the results obtained and to meet the requests of the owners, the following year will be managed by stopping the therapy with Clomipramine and keeping the Alprazolam as needed
The relationship between children and family dogs concerning their possible aggressive behavior: A pilot study using a questionnaire for parents
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to survey the relationship between children and their dogs and the causes of dog's aggressiveness towards them. A 34-item questionnaire divided into three sections was administered to 152 parents of 1 to 6 year old children owning a dog. It emerged that 8.6% of dogs showed signs of aggressiveness towards the family's children. The dog's age, sex and adoption before the child's birth did not result in discriminating factors in manifesting aggression. Instead, dogs whose tails and/or ears were pulled by children tended to be more aggressive towards them. A large number of scientific studies are highlighting the importance of unsupervised dog-child relationship and, according to 84% of parents, explanations led to an improvement in this relationship, but indeed aggression towards children was not reduced. These preliminary data suggest that children and parents need to be guided by experts so that the relationship between dogs and children living together does not lead to aggression
Biomarkers of Stress in Companion Animals
No full textStress experienced by companion animals could impair their physical and psychological welfare, impacting their social relationships in domestic environments [...
Dog attention towards the owner in two insoluble problem-solving tasks: A pilot study about the effect of skull conformation and selection to cooperate with man
No full textThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether brachycephalic breeds selected for companionship or for utility behave differently for the attention paid to the owner in two insoluble problem-solving tasks. Eleven adult dogs, 5 belonging to companion breeds and 6 belonging to breeds selected for utility were involved. The study consisted of two behavioral tests (“bin-opening” and “rope-pulling”). After the training, dogs were subjected to two kinds of insoluble problem-solving tasks, evaluating the latency of the first gaze toward the owner and the number of these gazes. The statistical analysis did not show any differences in the first test “bin-opening” (latency: U = 13.5, p = 0.93; number of gazes: U = 14.5; p = 0.79) nor in the second one “rope-pulling” (latency: U = 13.5, p = 0.93; number of glances: U = 11.0; p = 0.54). Our preliminary results suggest that within the group of brachycephalic dogs there are no differences in the attention paid to the owner in situations that require collaboration with him/her, despite the different selection carried out within this group of dogs according to the functions to be performed by different breeds. Given the small number of subjects tested, further research is needed to verify whether the selection for fighting influence the human-directed gazing
Assessing adoptability in shelter dogs through a behavioral test
No full textIn Italy, a specific law (281/1991) establishes that shelter dogs cannot be euthanized unless dangerous or affected by severe or untreatable diseases. The result of this 'no-kill' policy is that some dogs are kept in shelters for their whole lives. Aim of the research has been to realize a test for adoptability evaluation of shelter dogs, subjecting them to the most common stimuli of urban environment. For the research twenty-six dogs were involved. The dog adoptability evaluation was performed in 4 different steps. Step 1: Evaluation of some important dog characteristics not changeable by a re-education program, such as: age, size, coat colour and dog morphology. Step 2: Information obtained by shelters operators about dog behaviour in the common kennel routine. Step 3: Dog reaction to a direct approach of an unknown person to the shelter fence. Step 4: Last subtest consists of 13 steps based on possible scenarios that approximate/simulate common situations encountered by dogs at home. All the score in the 4 steps represent the dog adoptability index (DAI), a value indicative of the level of desirability that each dog possesses, because of its specific characteristics. On the basis of the DAI obtained scores we created 3 categories: Category 1 - Dogs immediately adoptable (DAI = 80). Category 2 - Dogs with a critic adoptability (60 = DAI = 79). Category 3 - Dogs adoptable with difficulty (DAI = 59). The examined sample had a minimum score of 50.5 and a maximum score of 92.5. 17 of the 26 dogs examined in the present research were adopted. 70% of the dogs adopted belonged to Category 1, 18% to Category 2 and 12% to Category 3. It is very important to identify the problem dogs and subject them to a behavioral modification program as soon as possible to make them adoptable. Only in this way the kennels will become sites for dog redevelopment and will fulfill an important social function, protecting/increasing animal welfare
Behavioural modification in sheltered dogs
Get PDFLo scopo del presente studio è stato quello di valutare se la permanenza in canile sanitario può causare cambiamenti comportamentali nei cani osservati. Sono stati video-registrati quindici cani meticci per venti minuti ciascuno, nel proprio box, una volta alla settimana per cinque volte iniziando dal terzo giorno dall’arrivo in canile.
E’stata osservata un riduzione nella frequenza di comportamenti quali il sonnecchiare (r=0,95; p=0,01), lo scodinzolare a coda alta (r=0,95; p=0,01), lo scodinzolare (r=0,92; p=0,02); inoltre è stata osservata una riduzione della durata dello stare sdraiato (r=0,93; p=0,021), del sonnecchiare (r=0,98; p=0,003) e dello scodinzolare a coda alta (r=0,93; p=0,019). Oltre a ciò è stato osservato un aumento nella durata di alcuni comportamenti quali il grattare la porta (r=0,93; p=0,023) e lo scavare per terra (r=0,86; p=0,060). Infine è stata osservato un aumento significativo della frequenza dello stare alzato (r=0,92; p=0,026), del grattare la porta (r=0,99; p=0,001), dello scavare per terra (r=0,91; p=0,034), dell’uggiolare (r=0,92; p=0,024) e del grattarsi (r=0,93; p=0,024).
A partire dalla terza e quarta settimana sono apparsi alcuni comportamenti tipici di uno stato di irrequietezza, mentre sono scomparsi altri comportamenti di inattività. I cani, durante il periodo di osservazione, sono stati sottoposti ad un test comportamentale che consisteva nell’introduzione di differenti stimoli (rumore improvviso, cibo e gioco) in un luogo sconosciuto; il test ha dimostrato come i soggetti si abituassero a stimoli esterni come ad esempio il rumore improvviso (p=0,004).
I dati ottenuti suggeriscono che la permanenza in canile può indurre cambiamenti del comportamento che andrebbero attentamente monitorati per prevenire eventuali problemi che potrebbero svilupparsi dopo l’adozione.The aim of this study was to assess whether one month’s stay in a shelter causes any behavioral change in the guest dogs. Fifteen cross-breed dogs were video-recorded for twenty minutes in their boxes once a week for five times, starting from the third day after admittance to the shelter. A significant reduction was observed in the frequency of dozing (r=0.95; p=0.01), waving high tail (r=0.95; p=0.01), and waving tail (r=0.92; p=0.02); duration was reduced for lying down (r=0.93; p=0.021), dozing (r=0.98; p=0.003), and waving high tail (r=0.93; p=0.019). Moreover a significant increase was observed in the duration of activity behavioral patterns, such as scratching door (r=0.93; p=0.023) and digging
(r=0.86; p=0.060). In addition, an increase was observed in the frequency of standing upright (r=0.92; p=0.026), scratching door (r=0.99; p=0.001), digging (r=0.91; p=0.034), whining (r=0.92; p=0.024), and scratching (r=0.93; p=0.024).
On the third and fourth week of their stay, some behaviors that are typical of a state of restlessness appeared, while others that are typical of a state of inactivity disappeared.
The dogs underwent a behavioral test involving the introduction of different stimuli (unexpected noise, food and toy) in an unknown place, which showed they had got used to such external stimuli as noise (p=0.004).
Data suggest that staying in a shelter can induce behavioral changes that should be carefully monitored to prevent behavioral problems which might develop after adoption
Effect of meal composition on tryptophan:large neutral amino acids ratio in dogs
No full textTryptophan is involved in the synthesis of serotonin and melatonin, and it competes with the other large neutral aminoacids for uptake into the brain.
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of meal composition on the plasma ratio between tryptophan and five other large neutral amino acids (5LNAAs): isoleucine, leucine, valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine
Attitude toward non-human animals and their welfare: do behaviorists differ from other veterinarians?
Get PDFVeterinarians are an important source of information about animal care for owners. They provide general advice about topics important to an animal’s well-being, such as appropriate training, exercise and nutrition. Veterinary behaviorists, when dealing with undesired or abnormal behaviors, also perform an assessment of pet welfare and an evaluation of owners’ behavior and attitudes. It is likely that these assessments are affected by the attitude toward animals and toward animal welfare of the behaviorists. The aim of this study was to investigate whether veterinary behaviorists have a different attitude toward animals and animal welfare compared to other veterinarians. An online questionnaire, also including the 20-item Animal Attitude Scale, was completed by a convenience sample of 540 Italian veterinarians dealing with companion animals: 140 were behaviorists, 22 were starting to work in the field of behavioral medicine, and 378 were not involved in the field. Veterinary behaviorists showed a more positive attitude toward non-human animals and their welfare, which seems to be more related to the interest in behavioral medicine than to its practice. Moreover, behaviorists attached more importance to the psychological aspects of pet welfare that they perceived as less protected in their feline and canine patients. These findings suggest that being involved in one discipline or another of veterinary medicine do matter in the attitude toward non-human animals and their welfare
Effects of Stroking on Salivary Oxytocin and Cortisol in Guide Dogs: Preliminary Results
Get PDFThis pilot study aimed at investigating how salivary oxytocin levels are affected by human interaction and isolation in eight guide dogs (six Labrador retrievers and two golden retrievers; four males and four females, 21.87 ± 1.36 months old) just before assignment to the blind person. Each dog engaged, at one-week intervals, in a positive (5 min of affiliative interaction with their trainer) and a negative (5 min of isolation) condition. Saliva samples used for Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) quantification of salivary oxytocin were collected before and immediately after both experimental conditions. In order to assess potential hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activation that could have affected oxytocin levels, saliva samples were collected 15 min after both experimental conditions for EIA quantification of salivary cortisol and a behavioral assessment was performed during the negative condition. The results were compared using the Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05). Oxytocin concentrations showed a statistically significant increase after the positive interaction (p = 0.036) and no difference after the negative one (p = 0.779). Moreover, no difference (p = 0.263) was found between the cortisol concentrations after each experimental condition and no signs of distress were observed during the isolation phase. These preliminary findings support the hypothesis that stroking dogs has positive effects on their emotional state independently of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis activation
Plasma Tryptophan/Large Neutral Amino Acids Ratio in Domestic Dogs Is Affected by a Single Meal with High Carbohydrates Level
Get PDFAim of this study was to evaluate the plasma ratio between l-tryptophan (TRP) and five large neutral amino acids (isoleucine + leucine + phenylalanine + tyrosine + valine) (5LNAAs) after a single meal with high carbohydrates level. Five female Labrador Retrievers were involved. Each dog was fed three different meals: M1 (a mix of puffed rice, minced meat and olive oil), M2 (puffed rice and olive oil) and M3 (commercial dry food usually consumed) once in the morning per day for 30 days. Blood was collected right before the first meal (t0) and after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 24 h. Plasma amino acids’ concentrations were measured using an HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography) method with fluorimetric detection. Plasmatic TRP concentrations showed no significant difference between M1, M2 and M3 samples at any sampling time. M2 led to a decrease in 5LNAAs levels and consequently led to a significant higher TRP/5LNAAs ratios in the 6 h period after the provision of carbohydrates, compared to both M1 and M3. In addition, the mean TRP/5LNAAs ratio was significantly higher in M2 than in M3 at t8 and t10. These results indicate that meal composition affects TRP/5LNAAs ratio and possibly, TRP bioavailability
- …
