Veterinarians

Dogkeeping practices as reported by readers of an Australian dog enthusiast magazine.

anthrozoology — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:30:33 -0400

Masters, AM; McGreevy, PD;

Australian Veterinary Journal. 2008. 86: 1/2, 18-25.

Objective: To characterise Australian domestic dogkeeping practices relevant to canine health and welfare. Procedure: A quantitative questionnaire was distributed nationally through Dog's Life magazine. Data on management practices, household and dog demographics from 690 Australian dogs in 485 self-selected respondent households were analysed using ordinal and binary regression. Results: Several variables, relating to dog, owner and environment were associated with management practices. The size of the dog correlated positively with being fed outdoors (P<0.001), gameplaying (P=0.016) and being trained (P=0.001) and negatively with time spent indoors (P<0.001). Neutered dogs were more likely to be walked every day (P=0.027) and have had prior treatment for unwelcome behaviours (P<0.001) but less likely to be fed outdoors (P<0.013). The number of children in the household correlated with the dog being fed outdoors (P<0.001). The number of adult female humans in the household correlated with dog being neutered (P<0.001) whereas the reverse was linked to number of adult male humans in the household (P<0.013). Larger numbers of adult female humans in the household were associated with a higher incidence of prior treatment for unwelcome behaviours (P=0.020). The number of dogs in the household correlated negatively with dogs being walked every day (P<0.004) and gameplaying (P=0.001). Pure bred dogs were more likely to have attended puppy preschool than cross breeds (P=0.002). Conclusion: Reference to previous studies of Australian dog owners suggests that the current data are representative in terms of location of households, sex and age of dogs, however, the proportion of pure bred dogs in the current survey was surprisingly high. This was perhaps because respondents were from a particular sector of the Australian dog-owning population. It must be acknowledged that Dog's Life magazine readers may be atypical of Australian dog owners, nevertheless, the study demonstrates that variables relating to the dog, owner or environment can be used to characterise management styles.

Understanding personality by understanding companion dogs.

anthrozoology — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 19:21:14 -0400

Ley, J. M.; Bennett, P. C.;

Anthrozoos. 2007. 20: 2, 113-124.

The study of personality is well established in human psychology, with trait theory being perhaps the most widely accepted of the personality theories. Animal personality research has utilized trait theory to identify personality factors in a wide variety of animal species. However, it has been somewhat hampered by attempting to apply human personality dimensions to animals rather than investigating the depth and breadth of personality in individual animal species. Research into animal personality offers human personality researchers the chance to explore the evolution and development of human personality. This can best be done by exploring the expression of personality in other species without restriction to human personality models. This paper suggests that the dog, Canis familiaris, is a suitable species to begin with because of its unique place in human society, its history and familiarity with humans, and its genetic plasticity. A potential structure of canine personality is proposed.

Husbandry considerations for better behavioral health in psittacine species.

anthrozoology — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 19:06:27 -0400

Seibert, L. M.

Compendium Continuing Education for Veterinarian. Veterinary Learning Systems, Yardley, USA: 2007. 29: 5, 303-306.

Keeping psittacine species as companions presents several unique challenges that are not involved in the ownership of dogs or cats. Because psittacine species are prey species, they respond differently than dogs and cats to seemingly benign challenges, such as the introduction of a novel item, sudden gestures, or even minor changes to the environment. Most psittacine species kept in captivity do not have the extended history of domestication that dogs and cats have. Because of a tendency to form flocks in the wild and the important functions of these flocks, psittacine species may be less tolerant of isolation from conspecifics in captivity. Many psittacine species have a life expectancy similar to that of humans, requiring a lifelong commitment from the caregiver. In addition, most psittacine species remain reproductively intact, which can contribute to behavior problems as the birds reach sexual maturity. Husbandry considerations that affect mental wellness and behavior in pet birds have been reviewed by Luescher and Wilson and me. Environmental considerations for pet birds include air quality, social interaction, intellectual stimulation, diet variation, foraging opportunities, adequate sleep, reduction of stressors, exercise, appropriate housing, and expression of species-typical behaviors. Inadequate husbandry for exotic species is an extremely important welfare issue, contributing to both mental and physical suffering. Caregivers should be encouraged to learn effective behavior modification techniques to address common behavioral issues, including screaming, reproductive behaviors, and biting.

Euthanasia of companion animals: a legal and ethical analysis.

anthrozoology — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:08:20 -0400

Passantino, A.; Fenga, C.; Morciano, C.; Morelli, C.; Russo, M.; Pietro, C. di; Passantino, M.;

Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanita. Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Roma, Italy: 2006. 42: 4, 491-495.

In Italy, the conditions under which euthanasia of small pets is justified are only partially regulated by law, i.e., n. 281/1991, article 2 n. 6 and 9, by the later Ministry Circular n. 9 made on 10/03/1992 and by law n. 189/2004. Law n. 281/1991, besides delegating the job of birth control in cat and dog populations to the regions, has made it statutory that stray dogs may only be euthanized when they are "seriously or incurably ill or proven to be dangerous". The Ministry Circular underlines the fact that "euthanasia of dogs is prohibited except in special justified cases". On the other hand, due to the legal classification of animals as property, the owner has the right of ownership over his animal so that he can sell it and kill it (ius vitae ac necis). In this view a request for euthanasia is licit, whatever the animal's state of health may be. The authors feel that further legislation to regulate the question more completely would be opportune and thus they analyse the problems of legal-ethics and public health that a veterinarian faces when carrying out euthanasia, also bearing in mind the laws and codes of professional ethics. They suggest possible solutions which could be adopted by competent authorities.

Death of a Companion Cat or Dog and Human Bereavement: Psychosocial Variables

anthrozoology — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:09:22 -0400

Journal Society and Animals , 10, 1 , 2002, 93-105

Lynn A. Planchon, Donald I. Templer, Shelley Stokes and Jacqueline Keller

This study found that death depression, general depression, and positive attitudes toward, and attachment to, companion animals were associated with greater grief following the death of cats and dogs both in a veterinary client group who had recently lost their companion animals and in a college student group with a history of companion animal loss. The correlations of both the above variables and the demographic and death circumstance variables tended to be higher with the veterinary clients. Death of a dog by accident as opposed to illness correlated .81 with extended grief in the veterinary clients. Not having their dogs euthanized correlated .70 with extended grief in this group as well.

Couples' Perception of Stressfulness of Death of the Family Pet

anthrozoology — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:02:40 -0400

M. Geraldine Gage, Ralph Holcomb

Family Relations, Vol. 40, No. 1 (Jan., 1991), pp. 103-105

A survey mailed to 1,650 mid-life couples resulted in a subsample of 242 couples whose pet had died during the 3 years prior to the survey. Among the subsample who reported pet loss, about half of wives and more than a quarter of husbands reported they were "quite" or "extremely" disturbed by the death of a family pet. For husbands, pet loss was rated about as stressful as the loss of a close friendship, for wives about as stressful as losing touch with their married children. There was consensus on the rating of the stressfulness of pet loss by fewer than half of the couples.

Grieving pet death: normative, gender and attachment issues

anthrozoology — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:31:42 -0400

OMEGA: The Journal of Death and Dying, 47, 4, 2003, 385-39

THOMAS A. WROBEL; AMANDA L. DYE

Grief over the loss of a pet was investigated to clarify the usual course of symptoms experienced, gender differences in the experience, and the role of attachment to the pet. The sample included 174 adults who had lost a pet dog or cat to death. Participants were administered a modified CENSHARE Pet Attachment Survey (Holcomb, Williams, & Richards, 1985) and a survey of symptoms experienced. Results indicate that initially 85.7% of owners experienced at least one symptom of grief, but the occurrence decreased to 35.1% at six months and to 22.4% at one year. Males and females reported significantly different rates on six of 12 symptoms surveyed. The severity and length of symptoms is significantly correlated with the degree of attachment to the deceased pet. These findings indicate that pet loss can be a potential area of clinical concern, especially if the person's attachment to the pet was strong.

Behaviors and Attitudes towards Semi-Owned Cats

anthrozoology — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:38:40 -0400

Toukhsati, Samia R.; Bennett, Pauleen C.; Coleman, Grahame J.

Anthrozoos: 20, 2, June 2007 , pp. 131-142(12)

The intentional provision of food, medical treatment and shelter by humans for a cat that is not considered to be owned by the individual is defined as "semi-ownership." The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of such behaviors and the attitudes held by individuals who engage in them. The sample, comprising 424 residents from rural and non-rural Victoria, Australia, were surveyed in relation to their ownership status, practices, and attitudes towards companion animals. The findings revealed that 22% of the sample engaged in one or more cat semi-ownership behaviors; primarily feeding. Cat semi-ownership was associated with positive feelings towards cats, and the belief that cats are independent. Opportunities to engage cat semi-owners in education programs that promote responsible companion animal ownership behaviors were evident.

Euthanasia & thanatology in small animals

anthrozoology — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:09:19 -0400

Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2007) 2, 35-39

Moises Heiblum Frid, DVM, Alberto Tejeda Perea, DVM, MSC

Abstract The study of thanatulogy has recently taken on increased importance in the field of veterinary medicine. Today. the roles of Companion animals have expanded to include beloved pet and family member, provider of social and emotion support, and in the case of service dogs, provider of assistance to owners with special needs. For these reasons, companion animals have taken on greater significance within their human families. Their deaths can be as painful and difficult for their families as the death of human family members. Veterinarians are tasked with working in concert with the pet owner, throughout the lifetime of the pet, to promote the pet's health and well-being. In critical and or terminal situations, it is the veterinarian's role to educate the owner, so that informed decisions regarding treatment options or a decision to euthanize the pet can take place. In veterinary medicine, euthanasia means to end life painlessly. Veterinarians and owners, working in partnership to make subjective and objective assessments on the pets quality of life, produce the best results. For the veterinarian, the medical approach (including: clinical history, physical exam, laboratory tests, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment) can assist in assessing the pet's physical health status, any potential treatments, and the likely short and long term outcomes. The owner's role in the partnership is to subjectively assess overall behavioral changes and the pet's quality of life. Once owners have decided to euthanize their pet, there are still more factors to consider: where to perform the procedure, which family members will be present, and how the remains will be handled. The veterinarian can do everything possible to minimize any anxiety for the pet during the euthanasia, including administration of a tranquilizer prior to the procedure. The veterinarian will allow the pet's family time to say goodbye and educate them on what to expect when their pet dies. There is a possibility that other pets that lived in the same household may also experience distress at the loss of their animal family member. The veterinarian can let the owners know what signs may be signaling depression or anxiety in that pet. The grieving process is extremely personal and people must be allowed to grieve in the way that helps them deal with their loss. Veterinarians need to be careful not to minimize the owner's loss or grief. The owner will count on the veterinarian's guidance and expertise when making decisions affecting their pets well-being. Making an informed decision can help assuage any guilt about opting for euthanasia when done in the best interest of the pet.

Relationship between attachment to owners and separation anxiety in pet

anthrozoology — Mon, 07 May 2007 00:43:28 -0400

Parthasarathy, V.; Crowell-Davis, S. L.

Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research. 2006. 1: 3, 109-120.

Dogs' dysfunctional attachment relationships with their owners are assumed to be the underlying cause of separation anxiety. Thirty-two dogs with and 43 dogs without owner-reported separation anxiety (SA) participated in a formal attachment test (AT). After the AT, the dogs were videotaped for 30 minutes while alone at home. Dogs left free in the house were scored on how long they were in proximity to the owners' exit doors. Dogs who were crated or closely confined were scored on several anxiety-related behaviors, which were then compared to those dogs' behaviors during the attachment test. Dogs with SA spent no more time in contact with or proximity to their owners during the attachment test than dogs without SA (P>0.05). Instead, they tended to jump up on the door after the strangers left the room and remain stationary when alone with their owners (P<0.05). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between SA and non-SA dogs in the amount of time spent in proximity to the owners' exit doors when left alone at home. Dogs crated at home showed no relationship between the amount of anxiety-related behaviors during the AT or at home (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the type of proximity-seeking behaviors exhibited by dogs with and without SA in the home (P>0.02). These finding suggest that separation anxiety is not based on "hyperattachment" of the dog to the owner, but that a different attachment style may be present between dogs with and without SA.