Investigating risk factors that predict a dog's fear during veterinary consultations

Self-reported cat-friendly practices and attitudes of German, French and Swiss veterinarians

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was two-fold: first, to investigate the attitudes and application of cat-friendly practices among German, French and Swiss veterinarians during consultations; and second, to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the demographics of the veterinarians and variations in the application of cat-friendly practices and attitudes.

METHODS

A bilingual questionnaire structured around the capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COM-B) model of human behaviour was distributed to veterinarians in Germany, France and Switzerland. Using Likert scales, participants were asked to report on their application of cat-friendly practices during consultations and their attitudes towards cat-friendly methods. The proportion of cat-friendly practices and attitudes were identified by grouping results across Likert scales. Multiple binary logistic regression models were performed to compare the differences in cat-friendly practices and attitudes across the three countries. Cumulative scores were calculated for practices and attitudes, and analysed for associations with veterinarian demographics using a general linear model.

RESULTS

Of the 516 respondents, 36.2% used scruffing to restrain cats, 51.9% prescribed anxiolytics for future visits and 17.1% used medication to mitigate stress during consultations. Only 37.6% thought that caregivers expected to be educated on how to prevent or reduce stress in their cats during transport. Having an employee position rather than being clinic director or partner was associated with a lower score of cat-friendly practices (P <0.01) and motivation (P = 0.02). Whereas, awareness of cat-friendly guidelines, working in a Cat Friendly or Fear Free accredited clinic and being trained in animal behaviour contributed to higher scores in both cat-friendly practices and overall attitudes (P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Education and promotion of guidelines on cat-friendly practices will facilitate improvements in handling cats and mitigating fear-anxiety with medication.

Intranasal atomized dexmedetomidine alone or in combination with ketamine or midazolam to sedate healthy dogs

A prospective, randomized, blinded experiment was conducted to compare the effects of intranasal (IN) dexmedetomidine (Dex, 10 µg/kg; n=12) alone or combined with midazolam (DexM, 0.3 mg/kg; n=12) or ketamine (DexK, 2 mg/kg; n=12) in healthy dogs. Ease of administration (EA1), total administration time (TAT), time for first (TA1) and second nostril administration (TA2), and adverse events during atomization were recorded. Two days later, EA2 was assessed by IN atomization of injectable water as an additional outcome variable. Onset of sedation was evaluated, along with behavioral scores and physiological parameters from T0 (baseline) to T120. Statistical analyses included Chi-square, one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis, repeated measures or Friedman's ANOVA, and Wilcoxon's tests. Significance was p≤0.05. Onset of sedation was 12.9 ± 4.1, 18.2 ± 7.5, and 9.9 ± 4.3 mins (mean ± SD) for Dex, DexM, and DexK, respectively. Onset was shorter in DexK compared to DexM (p=0.002), explaining the lower behavioral scores in DexM at T15. All dogs in Dex and DexK reached adequate sedation, with peak sedation occurring at T30, while some dogs in DexM never reached adequate sedation and this group peaked at T45. Adverse events such as saliva drooling and pawing at the nose were significantly higher in DexM and DexK, explaining their differences in TA2, TAT, and EA1 comparing to Dex. EA2 was also higher in Dex compared to DexM and DexK. In conclusion, Dex was better tolerated in dogs and DexK showed faster and more profound sedative effects. Due to paradoxical excitement, unpredictable sedation, and nasal irritation, DexM is not recommended.

Bioabsorbable, subcutaneous naltrexone implants mitigate fentanyl-induced respiratory depression at 3 months-A pilot study in male canines

The aim of this study is to determine if extended-release, bioabsorbable, subcutaneous naltrexone (NTX) implants can mitigate respiratory depression after an intravenous injection (IV) of fentanyl. Six different BIOabsorbable Polymeric Implant Naltrexone (BIOPIN) formulations, comprising combinations of Poly-d,l-Lactic Acid (PDLLA) and/or Polycaprolactone (PCL-1 or PCL-2), were used to create subcutaneous implants. Both placebo and naltrexone implants were implanted subcutaneously in male dogs. The active naltrexone implants consisted of two doses, 644 mg and 1288 mg. A challenge with IV fentanyl was performed in 33 male dogs at 97-100 days after implantation. Following the administration of a 30 μg/kg intravenous fentanyl dose, the placebo cohort manifested a swift and profound respiratory depression with a ~50% reduction in their pre-dose respiratory rate (RR). The BIOPIN NTX-implanted dogs were exposed to escalating doses of intravenous fentanyl (30 μg/kg, 60 μg/kg, 90 μg/kg, and 120 μg/kg). In contrast, the dogs implanted with the BIOPIN naltrexone implants tolerated doses up to 60 μg/kg without significant respiratory depression (<50%) but had severe respiratory depression with fentanyl doses of 90 μg/kg and especially at 120 μg/kg. Bioabsorbable, extended-release BIOPIN naltrexone implants are effective in mitigating fentanyl-induced respiratory depression in male canines at about 3 months after implantation. This technology may also have potential for mitigating fentanyl-induced respiratory depression in humans.

Validation of the shortened version of the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) using participants from the Dog Aging Project

The Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is a 100-item owner-completed survey instrument used for assessing behavior and temperament of companion dogs. The shortened version of the C-BARQ (C-BARQ(S)) consists of 42 items of the long C-BARQ. We aimed to validate the shortened C-BARQ(S) by comparing it with the long questionnaire in the same human-dog pair. We examined data from a nationwide cohort of companion dogs enrolled in the large-scale longitudinal Dog Aging Project (DAP) study. Among 435 participating owners who completed both the long and shortened versions of the C-BARQ within 60 days of each other, agreement between individual questions of the long and shortened C-BARQ using an unweighted kappa statistic and percent agreement was examined. Associations between the two questionnaires for mean behavior and temperament domain scores and mean miscellaneous category scores were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Of 435 dogs in the study, the mean (SD) age was 7.3 (4.3) years and 216 (50%) were female. Kappa values between the long and shortened C-BARQ for individual questions within the 14 behavior and temperament domains and a miscellaneous category ranged from fair to moderate (0.23 to 0.40 for 21 items and 0.41 to 0.58 for 26 items, respectively). Pearson correlation coefficients above 0.60 between both questionnaires for 12 of the 14 mean behavior and temperament domain scores and a category of miscellaneous items were observed. Kappa values for individual questions between the long and shortened C-BARQ ranged from fair to moderate and correlations between mean domain scores ranged from moderate to strong.

Effect of neutering timing in relation to puberty on female dog behaviour-A scoping review

BACKGROUND

There are contradictory findings in the literature relating to the effects of timing of neutering on bitch behaviour that make decision making regarding neutering timing difficult.

METHODS

A scoping review was designed to identify and chart the evidence on the effect of neutering timing in relation to puberty on the behaviour of female domesticated dogs. A protocol was registered, and literature searches were conducted in CAB Abstracts, Medline and Web of Science. Studies were reviewed against the inclusion criteria. Data on study and population characteristics and behavioural outcomes were extracted for the final included studies.

RESULTS

A total of 1048 publications were reviewed; 13 were retained for inclusion and charting. Only one of the two studies that classified bitches as pre- or postpubertal presented results for the analysis of behaviours. The remaining 11 studies classified bitches by age at neutering.

LIMITATIONS

Since the scoping review searches were conducted, further relevant studies may have become available. The search strategy may not have identified all available literature; however, databases were used that provide high levels of coverage of veterinary literature.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review identified a lack of evidence to document the impact of neutering bitches before or after puberty on behaviour.

Assessing the Relationship Between Emotional States of Dogs and Their Human Handlers, Using Simultaneous Behavioral and Cardiac Measures

Negative stress due to human handling has been reported for a number of domestic animals, including dogs. Many companion dogs display significant stress during routine care in the veterinary clinic, risking injury to staff and potentially compromising the quality of care that these dogs receive. On the other hand, positive interactions with humans can have a beneficial effect on dogs, particularly in stressful situations such as animal shelters. Research has shown that dogs can detect human emotions through visual, auditory, and chemical channels, and that dogs will exhibit emotional contagion, particularly with familiar humans. This study investigated relationships between emotional states of dogs and unfamiliar human handlers, using simultaneous measures of cardiac activity and behavior, during two sessions of three consecutive routine handling sets. Measures of cardiac activity included mean heart rate (HR_mean), and two measures of heart rate variability (HRV): the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD); and the high frequency absolute power component of HRV, log transformed (HF_log). We also assessed human handlers' emotional state during handling sessions following an intervention designed to reduce stress, compared with sessions conducted on a different day and following a control activity. Polar H10 cardiac sensors were used to simultaneously record cardiac activity for both canine and human participants, and behavioral data were collected via digital video. The strongest influence on the dogs' stress levels in our study was found to be increasing familiarity with the setting and the handler; HR_mean and SI decreased, and HRV (as RMSSD) increased, significantly from the first to the third handling set. Canine HRV (as HF_log) was also highest in set 3, although the difference was not statistically significant. There were no strong patterns found in the human cardiac data across handling set, session, or by pre-handling activity. We did not find consistent support for emotional contagion between the dogs and their handlers in this study, perhaps due to the brief time that the dogs spent with the handlers. Recommendations for application to dog handling, and limitations of our methods, are described.

Effect of Music on Stress Parameters in Dogs during a Mock Veterinary Visit

Simple Summary

Visits to the vet are stressful for many pet dogs, but less is known about how measures of stress change over the course of a visit. Identifying appropriate measures of canine stress, along with successful interventions which alleviate stress in dogs during a veterinary visit, will be of great benefit to dogs and people. Music therapy has been successfully used to reduce stress and anxiety in people and other animals. Specifically, a process called entrainment, which involves playing music at a particular tempo aimed at synchronizing physiological responses, has been implemented with success in humans. The aim of this study was to examine a range of behavioral and physiological measures in dogs over the duration of a veterinary visit and to establish if bespoke music, which mimicked the tempo of their resting heart rate, could improve wellbeing. The results indicated that certain measures increased over time, indicating that dogs became increasingly stressed. Music was not shown to have a demonstrated effect across measures, suggesting that the stressor may be too extreme for this type of intervention to have a positive effect, or that music therapy requires modification before it can be successful in alleviating stress in dogs during a veterinary visit.

Abstract

Veterinary visits can be stressful for dogs, but how their wellbeing changes during a visit is not well understood. Music therapy has been successfully used in clinical practice to alleviate stress and anxiety in people. The present study aimed to understand how canine stress changes during a veterinary visit, establish the effect of music, and highlight measures which may be of practical use. In a randomized crossover design, dogs were exposed to no music and a bespoke piece of classical music at a tempo designed to match their resting heart rate during a mock veterinary visit. Dogs were scored as more “afraid” during the physical examination compared to when they were in the hospital kennel (p < 0.001). Salivary cortisol, IgA, and infrared temperature all increased significantly (p < 0.05) from baseline to post-kennel and post-examination, with no effect of music treatment. Core body temperature (p = 0.010) and the odds of ‘relaxed’ lips (p = 0.020) were lower when dogs were exposed to music compared to control visits. Overall, dogs experienced changes in physiology and behavior, indicative of increased stress, over the course of the visit. Additional research is required to further understand the effect that bespoke music may have in alleviating canine stress during veterinary visits.

Comparing Behavioural Problems in Imported Street Dogs and Domestically Reared Danish Dogs-The Views of Dog Owners and Veterinarians

Simple Summary

Ownerless dogs are common in parts of Southern and Eastern Europe. Some so-called street dog organisations sell them on to buyers in North European countries such as Denmark—typically via local shelters. However, with their background, the dogs may struggle to adapt to their new life as companion animals. Behavioural problems may ensue, affecting the dogs’ welfare and also presenting difficulties for the new owners. The study reported here investigated whether former street dogs imported into Denmark display more behavioural problems than dogs reared in Denmark. We examined responses to two surveys, one of Danish dog owners and one of Danish veterinarians. Our analysis appeared to confirm that street dogs display behavioural problems to a higher degree than dogs reared in Denmark. Behaviours associated with fear, stress and aggression were especially common. The extent of the behavioural problems reported by the veterinarians was greater than that reported by the dog owners, most of whom reported low levels of problems. This may be due, at least partly, to stress reactions in dogs handled by veterinarians.

Abstract

Street dogs are common in southern and eastern parts of Europe. They are often adopted by people living in North European countries, including Denmark. However, these dogs may experience difficulties adjusting to their new life as companion animals, and this may in turn lead to behavioural problems and complications for owners. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate whether former street (FS) dogs display a higher degree of behavioural problems than dogs reared in Denmark (RD). Two questionnaires were developed. One was distributed to Danish dog owners and resulted in 3020 useful answers. FS dogs were found to display 9 of the 45 listed behaviours more often than RD dogs. All of these behaviours were related to fear, aggression and stress. The second questionnaire was distributed to Danish veterinarians working in small animal practices and resulted in 173 useful answers. The most commonly reported behavioural problems were fear of humans, stress and problems when the dog was left at home alone. The extent of the behavioural problems reported by the veterinarians was much greater than that reported by the dog owners which, at least partly, may be due to fear-induced reactions of the dogs when handled at the veterinary clinic.

Serotonin and Tryptophan Serum Concentrations in Shelter Dogs Showing Different Behavioural Responses to a Potentially Stressful Procedure

In mammals, serotonin (5-HT) levels depend on the availability of tryptophan (TRP). Low 5-HT concentrations have been linked to behavioural disorders in dogs. This study aimed at investigating possible differences in dogs’ serum TRP and 5-HT concentrations according to their behavioural response to a potentially stressful procedure. Thirty-nine physically healthy shelter dogs, 15 females and 24 males, mean age = 5.6 years, were categorized by a certified veterinary behaviourist according to their behavioural response to medical examination and blood collection, in: relaxation, stress signals, tension without growling, tension with growling, escape attempts, and aggression attempts. Extraction and quantification of 5-HT and TRP were performed using a HLPC method. Data were statistically analysed, applying Chi-square and Spearman tests. Results showed no significant difference in TRP (χ² = 2.084, p = 0.555) nor 5-HT (χ² = 0.972, p = 0.808) serum concentrations among different categories of dogs; however, some categories were underrepresented (relaxation = 20.5%, stress signals = 30.8%, tension without growling = 43.6%, tension with growling = 5.1%, escape attempts = 0%, aggression attempts = 0%). No correlation between serum TRP and 5-HT concentrations was found (ρ = 0.086, p = 0.602). Serum 5-HT levels do not seem to be associated with dogs’ behavioural response to a stressful situation nor with serum TRP concentrations. The relationship between serum TRP and 5-HT concentrations and behaviour needs further research.

Stress in client-owned dogs related to clinical exam location: a randomised crossover trial

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the effects of wellness examinations conducted in the common treatment area on fear, anxiety and stress indicators in client-owned dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was a prospective, non-blinded, randomised, two-period two-treatment crossover trial. Client-owned healthy adult dogs presenting for wellness or dental evaluations at a single veterinary teaching hospital received three consecutive rapid assessment exams; a baseline exam (owner present), followed by two identical physical exams differing in location and presented in random order (isolated exam room with owner present versus common treatment area, owner absent). Primary endpoints were a cumulative fear, anxiety and stress score for five standardised behaviours and heart rate (bpm) measured for each exam.

RESULTS

Forty-four dogs were enrolled. Modal fear, anxiety and stress score at baseline was 1 of 5, indicating none to mild stress. Both fear, anxiety and stress and heart rates measured in the common treatment area were clinically elevated relative to assessments conducted in the exam room. Relative to baseline, animals examined in the common treatment area showed increased fear, anxiety and stress (+2.6 units, se 0.5; P<0.0001) and heart rate (20 bpm, 95% confidence interval 13, 28; P<0.0001. Twenty-eight dogs (64%) exhibited fear, anxiety and stress scores ≥3 of 5 (moderate to severe stress) in the common treatment area, compared to 19 (43%) during exam room assessments.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Stress assessments in this study may have been biased by inability to blind assessors to location. However, stress metrics showed clinically significant, consistent and directionally symmetrical increases when dogs were examined in the common treatment area. When physical exam locations are highly stimulating, dogs may experience increased stress and anxiety, with detrimental effects on clinical assessments and behavioural welfare. Whenever possible, physical exams and procedures should take place in low-stress environments with the owner present.

Surgical and Behavioral Relationships With Welfare

Veterinarians perform surgery for a number of reasons, from treating a problem to preventing future problems. There is an inextricable link between the physical and psychological aspects of an animal's health, and surgery is often a conduit to bridge that gap. Some surgical procedures can affect an animal's behavior, such as castration, and some pose an ethical dilemma, such as ear cropping and declawing. Ameliorating pain, decreasing stressful experiences for the animal, and identifying and treating concurrent problem behaviors are hallmarks of improving animal welfare. The purpose of this article is to outline some of these interrelationships and ethical dilemmas, providing evidence-based verification as applicable.

Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs

Behaviour problems and anxieties in dogs decrease their quality of life and may lead to relinquishment or euthanasia. Considering the large number of pet dogs and the commonness of these problematic behaviours, a better understanding of the epidemiology and related molecular and environmental factors is needed. We have here studied the prevalence, comorbidity, and breed specificity of seven canine anxiety-like traits: noise sensitivity, fearfulness, fear of surfaces and heights, inattention/impulsivity, compulsion, separation related behaviour and aggression with an online behaviour questionnaire answered by dog owners. Our results show that noise sensitivity is the most common anxiety-related trait with a prevalence of 32% in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Due to the high prevalence of noise sensitivity and fear, they were the most common comorbidities. However, when comparing the relative risk, the largest risk ratios were seen between hyperactivity/inattention, separation related behaviour and compulsion, and between fear and aggression. Furthermore, dog breeds showed large differences in prevalence of all anxiety-related traits, suggesting a strong genetic contribution. As a result, selective breeding focusing on behaviour may reduce the prevalence of canine anxieties. Anxious animals may suffer from chronic stress and thus, modified breeding policies could improve the welfare of our companion dogs.