salivation, stress in dog
22429364
Consumption Simulations Induce Salivation to Food Cues
Salivation to food cues is typically explained in terms of mere stimulus response links. However, food cues seem to especially increase salivation when food is attractive, suggesting a more complex psychological process. Adopting a grounded cognition perspective, we suggest that perceiving a food triggers simulations of consuming it, especially when attractive. These simulations then induce salivation, which effectively prepares the body for eating the food. In two experiments, we systematically examined the role of simulations on salivation to food cues. As stimuli, both experiments used an attractive, a neutral, and a sour food, as well as a non food control object. In Experiment 1, participants were instructed to simulate eating every object they would be exposed to. We then exposed them to each object separately. Salivation was assessed by having participants spit their saliva into a cup after one minute of exposure. In Experiment 2, we instructed half of participants to simulate eating each object, and half to merely look at them, while measuring salivation as in Experiment 1. Afterwards, participants rated their simulations and desire to eat for each object separately. As predicted, foods increased salivation compared to the non food control object, especially when they were attractive or sour (Exp. 1 and 2) Importantly, attractive and sour foods especially increased salivation when instructed to simulate (Exp. 2) These findings suggest that consumption simulations play an important role in inducing salivary responses to food cues. We discuss directions for future research as well as the role of simulations for other appetitive processes.
PloS one
Mike Keesman Henk Aarts S Vermeent Michael Hafner Esther K Papies
18680297
Psychobiological Factors Affecting Cortisol Variability in Human Dog Dyads
Stress responses within dyads are modulated by interactions such as mutual emotional support and conflict. We investigated dyadic psychobiological factors influencing intra individual cortisol variability in response to different challenging situations by testing 132 owners and their dogs in a laboratory setting. Salivary cortisol was measured and questionnaires were used to assess owner and dog personality as well as owners' social attitudes towards the dog and towards other humans. We calculated the individual coefficient of variance of cortisol (iCV sd/mean*100) over the different test situations as a parameter representing individual variability of cortisol concentration. We hypothesized that high cortisol variability indicates efficient and adaptive coping and a balanced individual and dyadic social performance. Female owners of male dogs had lower iCV than all other owner gender dog sex combinations (F 14.194, p<0.001) whereas owner Agreeableness (NEO FFI) scaled positively with owner iCV (F 4.981, p 0.028) Dogs of owners high in Neuroticism (NEO FFI) and of owners who were insecure ambivalently attached to their dogs (FERT) had low iCV (F 4.290, p 0.041 and F 5.948, p 0.016) as had dogs of owners with human directed separation anxiety (RSQ) or dogs of owners with a strong desire of independence (RSQ) (F 7.661, p 0.007 and F 9.192, p 0.003) We suggest that both owner and dog social characteristics influence dyadic cortisol variability, with the human partner being more influential than the dog. Our results support systemic approaches (i.e. considering the social context) in science and in counselling.
PloS one
Iris Schoberl Manuela Wedl Andrea M Beetz Kurt Kotrschal
149434178
Measuring social synchrony and stress in the handler dog dyad during animal assisted activities: A pilot study
ABSTRACT Synchrony the coordination of behavior between interacting partners is a complex phenomenon requiring the perception and integration of multimodal communicative signals. Originally conceptualized by developmental psychologists to study the human human relationship, it could also apply to cross species interactions. Here, we examined synchrony patterns as a potentially important mechanism to evaluate human dog interactions during animal assisted activities. Four dog handler dog dyads were videotaped before (T0) during (T1) and after (T2) 45 minute sessions of animal assisted activities and coded for the following synchrony patterns: gaze synchrony, joint attention, and touch synchrony. Both partners' salivary cortisol and heart rate and dogs' behaviors were measured to identify any signs of stress that would lower levels of synchrony. All dyads showed synchronous behaviors in T0 and T1, whereas these were absent in T2. On average, the highest frequency was recorded in T1 (P 0.05) particularly with regard to joint attention. All dogs fulfilled most of their handler's cues (74% P 0.05) while working with a patient, showing appropriate levels of cooperation. No stress related signs were detected in either the dogs or their human handlers. These findings highlight the human dog bonding as one prototypical context for studying the biologic basis of cross species social synchrony. This may also generate evidence based knowledge that can help strengthen the scientific foundation of current canine assisted intervention practices.
Federica Pirrone A Ripamonti Elena C Garoni Sabrina Stradiotti Mariangela Albertini
11820169
Analysis of cortisol in dog hair a potential biomarker of chronic stress: a review
Cortisol, which is produced in the adrenal glands, is an endogenous glucocorticoid hormone that delivers its hormonal message to cells by acting on glucocorticoid receptors. It is one of the main stress hormones responsible for stress responses in animals and humans, and its overproduction is characteristic of certain diseases. While acute stress disorder can be evaluated by means of measuring the cortisol concentration in blood and urine, chronic stress disorder can be detected by monitoring the cortisol concentration in fur or hair. Hair collection is simple, inexpensive and non invasive, and can be performed easily and rapidly; thus, it appears to be a suitable method for determining the level of stress in dogs from shelters, abused dogs or dogs involved in different types of animal interactions. Since it is a relatively new method, monitoring cortisol in hair or fur requires further research in order to definitively prove its efficacy, and possibly to determine reference range values for different breeds of dogs.
Lydia Mesarcova Jana Kottferova Lenka Skurkova Lenka Leskova N Kmecova
12899868
Hypoglycemia Associated With Oleander Toxicity in a Dog
Oleander poisoning typically results in cardiac arrhythmias, hyperkalemia, and gastrointestinal irritation, and can be fatal. Oleander extracts have also been studied experimentally as hypoglycemic agents. Here, we describe a dog with confirmed oleander toxicosis presenting with classical symptoms and also hypoglycemia. After excluding other likely causes of hypoglycemia, the finding was attributed to oleander toxicosis, which has not been previously reported in dogs. A 7 year old female spayed Maltese was presented to the emergency service after ingesting oleander leaves. Toxicosis was confirmed by measurement of digoxin using a competitive binding immunoassay, patient level 0.7 ng/mL (0.9 nmol/L) 24 h post ingestion. Clinical symptoms included vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, mild hyperkalemia, and hypoglycemia. Treatment was successful with aggressive supportive care, and the dog was discharged from the hospital after 48 h and made a full recovery. This case reviews the presentation and treatment of oleander toxicity but also highlights possible effects of oleander on blood sugar in dogs. Hypoglycemia in this dog, attributed to oleander poisoning, is interesting as it supports experimental research into hypoglycemic properties of oleander extracts.
Journal of Medical Toxicology
Cameron Page Robert J Murtaugh
204833536
Evaluating Stress in Dogs Involved in Animal Assisted Interventions
Simple Summary Dogs are widely involved in animal assisted interventions (AAIs) but little information is available to determine if AAIs are stressful for dogs. Maintaining the animal wellness is ethically crucial and it is decisive for the success of the AAIs. This study wanted to assess if dogs were stressed during the sessions. Nine dogs, belonging to the A.N.U.C.S.S. (the National Association for the Use of Dogs for Social Aims) association, were observed before, during, and after AAIs with patients who had mental and/or physical disabilities to underline any signs of stress. Our results suggested that our dogs were not stressed, as the level of anxious behaviour was low and similar in all three kinds of sessions (before, during, and after sessions) Abstract Animal assisted interventions (AAIs) are co therapies in which the animal is an integral and active part of the treatment process. Dogs are widely involved in AAI projects, but little data are available to determine if AAI sessions are a source of stress for the dogs. Understanding the emotional state of animals and highlighting any signal of stress is crucial maintaining the wellness of the animals and in enhancing the probability of success of the AAI. The purpose of this study is to assess if dogs present signs of stress during animal assisted therapies sessions. The sample consisted of nine dogs, belonging to the members of the A.N.U.C.S.S. (the National Association for the Use of Dogs for Social Aims) association. Dogs lived with their owners and their health was checked by a vet once a week. Patients involved in the AAI project had disabilities due to mental disorder and/or psychomotor problems. During the therapeutic sessions, patients had to guide the dog along facilitated agility routes and/or perform the activities of cuddling and brushing the dog. When a dog accomplished a task, the patient gave him/her a reward (throwing a ball or a biscuit) Dogs were observed for a total of 174 h, 47 h before, 81 h during, and 46 h after AAI sessions. Each session of observation lasted 10 30 min. The differences of behavioural patterns in the three contexts were analysed by mean of the non parametric Friedman test. Dogs never showed aggressive and stereotyped behaviour; the level of anxious behaviour was low and similar in all three kinds of sessions. During therapeutic sessions, attention, affiliative behavioural patterns, and sniffing behaviour increased. The highest level of attention of dogs was directed toward their conductor, rather than to the patient and to the other operator present. The results suggest that the amount of work dogs went through was adequate and that dogs did not show behavioural signs of stress.
Animals an open access journal from MDPI
Sara Corsetti Miriam Ferrara Eugenia Natoli
38768669
Awareness of rabies and response to dog bites in a Bangladesh community
Abstract Community awareness regarding rabies and treatment seeking behaviours are critical both for the prevention and control of the disease in human and animals. We conducted a study to explore people's awareness about rabies, their attitudes towards dogs and practices associated with treating dog bites in Satkhira Sadar, a south western sub district of Bangladesh. Of the total 3200 households (HHs) surveyed, the majority of the respondents have heard about rabies (73% and there was a high level of awareness that dog bite is the main cause of rabies (86% and that rabies can be prevented by vaccination (85% However, 59% of the dog bite victims first seek treatment from traditional healers instead of visiting the hospitals, 29% received the rabies vaccine, 2% practiced proper wound washing with soap and water, while 4.8% have not taken any measures. None of the victims have received rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) Of the respondents, 5.2% reported a history of dog bite in at least one family member, and 11.8% reported a history of dog bite in domestic animals during the previous year. The HHs having a higher number of family members (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.07 1.2) having a pet dog (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4 3.2) and caring or feeding a community dog (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4 2.9) showed an increased risk of getting a dog bite. Among the bite victims, 3.6% (n 6) humans and 15.8% (n 60) animals died. As a measure for dog population management (DPM) 56% preferred sterilization while the rest preferred killing of dogs. The current treatment seeking behaviours of the respondents should be improved through additional education and awareness programme and better availability for the provision of post exposure prophylaxis in Bangladesh. We recommend scaling up national mass dog vaccination and DPM to reduce the burden of rabies cases and dog bites in Bangladesh.
Veterinary medicine and science
Sumon Ghosh Sukanta Chowdhury Najmul Haider Rajub Bhowmik Md Sohel Rana Aung S Prue Marma Muhammad Belal Hossain Nitish Chandra Debnath Be-Nazir Ahmed
73732917
Behaviour and welfare: minimising stress for patients in theveterinary hospital
Minimising stress for patients should always be a priority in the veterinary hospital. However, this can be difficult to achieve, especially in the emergency situation. While a 'no stress environment' is not possible (nor possibly even desirable) understanding how to create a 'low stress environment' and how to handle animals in a less stressful manner benefits patients, staff and the hospital alike. This article outlines some practical steps that can be taken by veterinary staff to minimise stress for presenting and hospitalised patients including how to recognise stress in dogs and cats. Note: Much of this material has been adapted from Yin (2009) and the accompanying Low Stress Handling of Dogs Cats DVD (Yin, 2012) Referring to these resources will help to develop pet friendly practices.
Janice K F Lloyd
9742218
Acute gastroesophageal intussusception in a juvenile Australian shepherd dog: endoscopic treatment and long term follow up
BackgroundCanine gastroesophageal intussusception (GEI) is a rare and potentially fatal disease usually affecting puppies or young dogs 3 months of age and of medium to large breeds. Surgical intervention has been advocated as the therapy of choice by most authors. Endoscopic treatment may offer an advantageous or alternative method of treatment.Case presentationGEI was diagnosed in a nine week old Australian Shepherd dog with an acute onset of vomiting and regurgitation and compatible radiographic findings on thoracic radiography. Treatment consisted of endoscopic gastric repositioning and placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube to prevent repeated dislocation of the stomach, and to allow for nutritional supplementation During a follow up period of eight months, thoracic radiographs were obtained showing persistent esophageal dilatation in the absence of compatible clinical signs.ConclusionEndoscopic intervention is an effective, alternative in selected canine GEI cases, allowing for rapid, minimally invasive confirmation of diagnosis and therapy. After initial treatment, radiographic long term follow up seems prudent even in asymptomatic patients.
BMC Veterinary Research
Sarina Shibly Sandy Karl Katharina M Hittmair Reinhard A Hirt
165487130
The psycho physiological and learning benefits of dog assisted reading
Lesevermogen ist eine Kulturtechnik, die sowohl dem Informationsgewinn als auch zur Kommunikation dient. Daher stellt es einen Schlussel fur beruflichen Erfolg und soziale Integration dar. Viele Kinder haben jedoch geringe Lesefahigkeiten und sind somit benachteiligt. Zunehmend werden Tieren, speziell Hunden, indirekte als auch direkte positive Effekte in Studien nachgewiesen. Diese sind physiologischer, psychologischer, emotionaler, sozialer und kognitiver Natur und setzen an verschiedenen Punkten an, wodurch sie Lernumgebung, emotionalen Zustand und Wohlfuhlfaktor, Stress und Angstzustande, Motivation, Konzentration und Aufmerksamkeit als Voraussetzungen fur kognitive Leistungen, wie z.B. Lernen, verbessern. Darauf basierend erfreut sich hundegestutzte Padagogik immer groserer Popularitat. Erste Studien zeigen positive Effekte von Hunden auf die Leseleistung (Smith 2010, Heyer Beetz 2014, Wohlfarth et al. 2014) In dieser Studie wird der Effekt von Hunden auf die Leseleistung von 36 Kindern der 3. Klasse Volksschule in Kombination mit physiologischen Parametern fur Stress (Herzrate, Herzratenvariabilitat und Kortisol) sowie Verhaltensvariablen in zwei Konditionen mit und ohne Hund in einem cross over design mit zwei Testungen untersucht. Zur Messung der Leseleistung wurden zwei verschiedene Lesetests verwendet: der standardisierte ,ELFE" mit zwei Untertests fur Satz und Textverstandnis und ,Repeated Reading" (RR) Kinder lesen einen kurzen Text in zwei Durchgangen laut vor, die Leserate (Worter/sec) wird erhoben. Obwohl der Hund keinen Effekt auf die Absolutwerte der beiden Lesetests hatte, verbesserten sich die Kinder innerhalb der ersten Testung von Durchgang 1 auf 2 in Anwesenheit eines Hundes, jedoch nicht ohne Hund. Das Verhalten der Kinder zeigte einen beruhigenden Effekt des Hundes in der ersten Testung durch weniger nervose Bewegungen, und weniger Gesprachen, und einen anregenden Effekt in der zweiten Testung durch mehr Selbstmanipulation. Der Hund hatte keinen Einfluss auf Herzrate und Herzratenvariabilitat, obwohl sich die Aufregung uber den Hund in Kombination mit der unbekannten Situation in der ersten Testung in einer hoheren Differenz zwischen den zwei Testungen fur die Kinder zeigte, die den Hund in der ersten Testung hatten. Was den Kortisolspiegel anbelangt, zeigte die area under the curve increase (AUCi) dass die Kinder in der zweiten Testung mit Hund aufgeregter waren als die Gruppe ohne Hund. Ansonsten konnten keine Unterschiede zwischen den Settings festgestellt werden. Auch der Cortisoltrend uber die gesamte Testung unterschied sich nicht zwischen den beiden Gruppen. Die Korrelationen zeigten, dass die Leseleistung am hochsten war, wenn der Kortisolspiegel uber die Testung abfiel, der Korperkontakt mit dem Hund gering war und vor allem Kinder betraf, die gesprachig waren. Korrelationen zwischen Kortisol (AUCi) und Verhalten gaben ein widerspruchliches Bild: ohne Hund zeigten die Kinder weniger Selbstmanipulation je hoher die Kortisol AUCi, wohingegen sie mit Hund mehr Selbstmanipulation zeigten je hoher die Kortisol AUCi. Zusammengefasst masen physiologische Parameter bei Anwesenheit eines Hundes Aufregung in den Kindern, wobei dennoch ein Beruhigungseffekt eintrat, der sich in den Verhaltensvariablen sowie der kurzfristigen Verbesserung der Leseleistung in RR wahrend einer neuen, herausfordernden Situation zeigte, nicht jedoch in einer schon bekannten und nicht in den absoluten Werten der Leseleistung.
Lisa Schretzmayer