Journal of Veterinary Behavior-clinical Applications and Research最新文献

Observing dogs’ behavior to assess their welfare is relevant in various applied settings, such as veterinary clinics and animal-assisted interventions. Yet, no field-wide consensus or complete overview of observable behaviors to assess dogs’ welfare seems to exist. In this review, we carefully analyze and categorize observational measures of a) dog welfare and b) their emotional state as described in the literature. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, we searched two major electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect) between October and December 2021 and included peer-reviewed articles—published in the last 10 years—about observable indicators of the welfare and/or emotional state of dogs. We included 39 studies in total. Based on these studies, nine overarching themes of behavioral indicators could be formulated, of which vocalizations, stress-related behaviors, and interaction with the nonsocial environment were mostly mentioned in the literature. Most articles described observable indicators that were both positively and negatively framed. Only five articles mentioned some form of validity assessment, while 23 studies mentioned inter-rater reliability measures. We conclude that having more validated observation instruments would be valuable for both research and practice. Although a clear and simple way of observing dog welfare without complicated tools is of great importance, the field would also benefit from instruments using combinations of physiological parameters and observable behaviors to assess dogs’ welfare.

In human psychiatric medicine, the anxiolytic mirtazapine (MZ) is used as an adjunct to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to reduce side effects and achieve faster behavioral control. To the best of our knowledge, the use of MZ as an adjunct agent to SSRIs has not been studied in canine psychiatric medicine. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate tolerance to and response to oral MZ (0.2-0.8 mg/kg once daily) as an adjunct to fluoxetine and paroxetine in client-owned dogs with fear-, anxiety-, or aggression-based disorders. Paroxetine use in canines has not been well studied; thus, results were compared to those of previous studies on fluoxetine as the sole anxiolytic. Dogs included in this study were treated with fluoxetine or paroxetine in combination with MZ, did not receive other daily medications (but could receive situational medications), and underwent at least 4 weeks of follow-up (n = 71). When using fluoxetine/MZ or paroxetine/MZ, 81.7% (n = 58) of owners reported Q4 improvement of their dog’s condition. Compared with fluoxetine alone, dogs treated with paroxetine/MZ showed less inappetence and lethargy but more weight gain. Fluoxetine/MZ did not produce adverse effects (AEs) significantly different from those reported for fluoxetine alone. Discontinuation of MZ was required in 5.6% (n = 4) of patients due to excessive appetite increase, and 1.4% (n = 1) of patients discontinued both fluoxetine and MZ due to increased anxiety when starting either medication. No AEs were reported related to situational medication use, including trazodone (22.5%). This study provides evidence that the addition of oral MZ at a dose of 0.2-0.8 mg/kg once daily to paroxetine and fluoxetine is effective and well tolerated. The combination of paroxetine/MZ may reduce some AEs associated with fluoxetine. The combination of paroxetine/MZ may be a favorable alternative to fluoxetine, particularly in patients who have previously experienced undesirable AEs receiving fluoxetine.

Abnormal repetitive behaviors are complex and varied, likely originating from both environmental and genetic factors. Diagnostic criteria emphasize behaviors that are in excess of that required to accomplish what would be any functional goal of the class of behavior, for example, non-functional acts and behaviors that interfere with the patient’s ability to engage in normal social behavior or to avoid pain or risk. There is a lack of consensus on when and how a repetitive behavior can be considered a pathological condition, that is, obsessive-compulsive/compulsive disorder (CD/OCD). This diagnosis is now frequently used in veterinary medicine to characterize ritualistic and repetitive behaviors that are excessive compared to what is necessary for proper function and without interference with daily functioning. The present study was aimed at revealing specific ethological patterns involved in CD/OCD in order to help clinicians early recognize signs of CD/OCD and thus target therapeutic interventions. We found that compulsive disorders present a specific motor structure compared to their corresponding ordinary actions. According to our results, not only repetition (repeated actions) and frequency (the rate at which actions occur over a particular period of time) but also redundancy (superfluous actions that are non-functional for the achievement of a goal) of behaviors should be considered as key feature in CD/OCD in companion animals.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the personality components of Arabian and Thoroughbred horses (TB) using the Horse Personality Questionnaire (HPQ) and examine their relationship with breed, sex, and racing performance. Within the scope of the research, race data of 96 horses from Thoroughbred (n = 56) and Arabian horse (n = 40) breeds that participated in flat races were taken from the official websites of Turkish Jockey Club. HPQ was constructed using 26 behaviorally defined adjectives. Thereafter, latent class analysis was carried out to determine distinct classes (subgroups) by using the questionnaire that described the personalities of horses. Three distinct personality classes of both TB and Arabian horses were compared. While there was a significant difference in sex distribution among the personality classes of TB (P = 0.023), this difference was not observed in the classes of Arabian horses (P = 0.580). There was no significant difference in terms of age and some racing characteristics in the per- sonality classes of both Arabian and TB horses (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it was seen that some personality classes of the horses could not be determined in the type of management system where there was no paddock and horses cannot display some of their intra-species social behaviors. For understanding horse personality, it is crucial to observe their intra-species interactions Simultaneously, by evaluating the data on horse personality from a scientific perspective and appraising the sportive performance of horses with a holistic approach, ethical equitation would be possible.

Pet ownership continues to increase worldwide, with cats being the preferred species followed by dogs. Since dog-ownership practices can affect animal welfare, it is important to understand the level of owners’ awareness of animal needs and current legislation. Therefore, this study aimed to describe dog owners’ knowledge and practices and determine their association with behavior and health problems in dogs. An online survey was conducted, which included questions about responsible ownership practices and the level of awareness of national animal welfare and pet ownership legislation. Descriptive statistics and ordinal multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 5,216 individuals responded, of which 3,809 were dog owners. Twenty percent of dogs were described as being overweight or obese, and dogs that were not fed leftovers were less likely to be obese. Additionally, neutered bitches were less likely to be obese than castrated male dogs. In relation to aggressive behavior, 24.6% of owners declared that their dog had shown aggressiveness toward people and 51.1% declared aggressiveness toward other animals. Taking dogs into basic training classes, not taking them out for walks, and living on a farm were all risk factors for aggressive behavior. In terms of owners’ awareness of the current legislation, being moderately or not informed increased the likelihood of not having their dogs identified with a microchip and registered, not keeping their vaccinations updated, or not desexing. An effective educational strategy that uses a multidisciplinary approach is required to improve pet ownership practices in Chile.

The Fe-BARQ is a survey tool that has been validated within a Spanish population. Its aim is to enhance our comprehension of feline behavior through owner-reported assessments. This study scrutinized the impact of cat attributes, environmental elements, and owner experience on these evaluations. Among the reported behaviors, 83% of owners (N = 661) noted their cats' curiosity towards new stimuli, while only 88% (N = 703) reported rare instances of inappropriate spraying. Our analysis revealed significant variations in behaviour attributed to factors such as breed, gender, reproductive status, age at acquisition, source of acquisition, and living environment. Home attributes, sleep habits, solitary time, and other pets in the household also had an impact. Furthermore, the owner's prior experience with cats and their perception of feline behavioural problems played a role in shaping these behaviours. Understanding these patterns is crucial in comprehending typical cat behaviour and identifying factors - environmental, developmental, or genetic - that could contribute to behavioural issues, potentially impacting human-cat relationships. These insights offer prospective owners a glimpse into life with a cat, aiding them in managing behavioural challenges. Additionally, they help in gauging cat welfare by assessing playfulness, changes in elimination patterns, aggression, and stress-related behaviours. These findings highlight the impact of an owner's experience and perception of behavioural issues, emphasising the need for effective counselling by veterinarians. Understanding these patterns is essential not only for comprehending cat behaviour but also for promoting healthier and more harmonious human-feline interactions.

The ethics of animal training procedures have seen dramatic changes in the last few decades, with a movement toward reward-based training methods. These reward-based training practices have also been directly impacted by the behavioral and animal welfare sciences, including their research outputs. In the last couple of decades, the least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) model of animal training has been used to describe reward-based animal training methods. However, a number of problems were built into the creation of LIMA and continue to exist today, including (a) a lack of clarity in its terminology, (b) ambiguity in desired training approaches, and (c) a history of aversive training methods justification. An alternative approach is therefore proposed, and one that specifies (1) increasing choices by inhibiting less, (2) the importance of function, and (3) defining success as more than simply being effective. The result is the least inhibitive, functionally effective (LIFE) approach to ethical animal training methods. LIFE is discussed in terms of its connection to established terminology, behavioral principles, and training practices, as well as its ability to promote optimal welfare for the animals under our care and in our lives.

With the increase in research aimed at improving the welfare of animals raised in production systems and the recognition of sentience in decapod crustaceans, the welfare of shrimp has become a cause for concern. In shrimp farming, practices contrary to the principles of animal welfare are used and largely unknown to the consuming public. This study aimed to assess the views of Brazilians on the importance of incremental animal welfare improvements in shrimp farming, considering the social and cultural aspects of the respondents. To this end, 300 adult Brazilian participants answered questions on welfare, sentience, and eyestalk ablation of shrimp. Among the respondents, 75.7% expressed concern about the welfare of shrimp, believing that they can experience fear (63.0%), pain (84.0%), and pleasure (47.7%). The latter finding suggests a relative reluctance to recognize positive feelings in shrimp. Regarding eyestalk ablation, 81.7% of respondents were unaware of the procedure, but after a brief explanation, 81.3% considered it unacceptable, with 84.0% believing that shrimps suffer from the practice. Most respondents associated terms such as "painful, cruel, suffering, mercantilist, disrespectful, and mutilating" with the practice of ablation. Furthermore, by using Pearson's chi-square test, it was observed that gender, age, region, education, socio-economic status, profession, and frequency of consumption may be related to the respondents' opinions about shrimp welfare and their perception of shrimp sentience. Therefore, by recognizing that public concern drives changes in production methods, increasing knowledge about shrimp sentience and farming practices can help advance socially acceptable methods.