The Relationship Between the Motor Lateralization and the Concentration of Cortisol and Tyrosine in Dogs Exposed to Stress During Veterinary Activities

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the motor lateralization in dogs and the concentration of cortisol and tyrosine in their plasma during a visit to a veterinary clinic. The research group consisted of 56 dogs. Motor lateralization was tested by of an adhesive tape test. The stress intensity was assessed basing on the levels of cortisol and ft4 in the serum blood. The statistical analysis revealed that in the group of 56 dogs there were 14 left-pawed dogs, 36 right-pawed dogs, and 6 dogs did not show particular paw preference. The average cortisol levels in particular groups were as follows: 7.94 ug/dl, 3.92 ug/dl and 3.7 ug/dl, whereas the level of tyrosine in the subjects that demonstrated left-sided lateralization (mean ± SE) (1.95 ± 0.46 ng/dl) for those with right-side lateralization (1.56 ± 0.23 ng/dl) and ambilateral dogs (1.01 ± 0.22 ng/dl). The statistical calculation of Pearson's χ2 showed a significant relationship between the sex and the lateralization (χ2 = 6.238, df = 2, p = 0.0442).

The Effect of a Diet Supplemented with Organic Minerals and l-Carnitine on Egg Production and Chemical Composition and on Some Blood Traits of Pheasant Hens (Phasianus colchicus)

The study aimed to determine the effect of replacing 75% of inorganic calcium, iron, zinc, and copper salts with organic forms (glycine chelates of these elements) with or without the addition of l-carnitine on some reproductive traits and the blood lipid and mineral profile, as well as mineral and fatty acid profile of pheasant egg yolk. The study was performed on three groups of pheasant hens using glycine chelates with calcitriol (group II) or analogical treatment with the addition of l-carnitine at the level of 100 mg/kg of feed (group III) instead of Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn salts (control). The replacement of inorganic forms with glycinates contributed to an increase in the number of laid eggs with a concomitant lower share of rejected eggs. The supplementation of organic forms of minerals improved mineral absorption and bioavailability in blood serum as well as in the egg yolk of experimental groups. Egg yolk fat was characterized by a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a favorable ratio of PUFA ω-3/ω-6. The proposed nutritional supplementation of the pheasant's diet might be a good strategy for increasing the nutritional reserves of poultry and improving their reproduction.

Hematological and Serum Biochemical Values of Free-Ranging Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Poland

This study presents the hematological and serum biochemical values of physically captured roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The study material was blood sampled from roe deer captured with the use of a specialist trap mesh and no anesthesia. Blood samples were collected from 122 roe deer from January to April in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the Lublin region of Poland. The hematological and biochemical variables were determined with results showing statistically significant differences between the mean values of RBC, HCT, and HB according to sex. Reference intervals should be more specific to the broad physical versus chemical capture categories.

Selected Techniques for Physiotherapy in Dogs

Simple Summary

Animal physiotherapy is widely addressed in many scientific reports. Although the effectiveness of physiotherapy has been repeatedly proven in both human and animal models, a small percentage of animal keepers decide to implement physiotherapy as part of treatment programs for their pets. After horses, dogs are the second group of animals that are most frequently subjected to physiotherapy treatments. The present study compiles the current knowledge of canine physiotherapy methods. An attempt was made to systematize this knowledge through selection and description of the most important aspects of canine physiotherapy. Most of the physiotherapeutic methods have been transferred from human treatment protocols. A key issue in the achievement of therapy success is the proper selection of physiotherapeutic procedures and close cooperation between the veterinarian and the physiotherapist.

Abstract

Physiotherapy is a new dynamically developing field of science in which the original idea was to improve the care for convalescent patients. Its positive effects observed in humans suggested the need for the adaptation and implementation of human physiotherapy techniques in animal care. Dogs are the second group of animals that undergo physiotherapy most frequently. These animals are diagnosed with a number of locomotor system problems, which may be congenital and are often related to the breed or acquired. The aim of the study was to collect and systematize knowledge of animal physiotherapy with emphasis on the selection and description of the most important aspects of canine physiotherapy. The review material consisted of 59 publications, with 230 selected for the review. Physiotherapeutic treatments are applied not only for rehabilitation of animals but also in healthy animals to upgrade their sports performance and improve their welfare. A majority of physiotherapeutic approaches have been transferred from human protocols. A key issue in the achievement of therapy success is the proper selection of physiotherapeutic procedures and close cooperation between the veterinarian and the physiotherapist.

The use of radiography for measurements of the medullary cavity in the metacarpal bone in the European roe deer Capreolus capreolus for assessment of ontogenetic quality – preliminary study

<b>The objective was to verify the research hypothesis concerning a correlation between the surface area of the medullary bone and other fat indices and carcass weight. This study was also focused on identification of potential differences in the mean values of the fat parameters and carcass weight between the forest and field ecotypes of roe deer. The medullary cavity area was measured using the DIRA 200 program. Metacarpal bone III and the phalanges of the 2nd and 3rd fingers were measured as well. The investigations involved 38 females of the European roe deer Capreolus capreolus aged 3-5 years.The investigations revealed a negative statistically significant correlation between the surface area of the medullary cavity in metacarpal bone III and the kidney fat index KFI (rs = -0.483; p<0.05) and the weight of the perirenal adipose tissue (rs = -0.362; p<0.05). No correlation was shown between the area of the medullary cavity of metacarpal bone III and the doe carcass weight (rs = 0.093; ns). The size of the medullary cavity is an anatomical parameter that is not susceptible to cyclical changes in environmental conditions. As shown in this study, it is independent of the body weight and determines the amount of bone marrow and, hence, the amount of accumulated fat reserves. We believe that, besides biometric measurements, the surface area of the medullary cavity can be a good parameter for assessment of the ontogenetic quality of roe deer and for comparison of populations.

Importance of behavioral changes in identification of chronic pain and its causes in dogs – case report

Chronic pain accompanying many diseases significantly impairs the quality of life and induces various changes in the behavior of animals. The present case report describes a dog with persistent chronic pain. The clinical signs demonstrated by the dog e.g. sneezing, rubbing the viscerocranium with thoracic legs, shaking the head, and avoidance of touch, clearly suggested discomfort localized in the muzzle. The final diagnosis of nasal adenocarcinoma was reached after over a year from the appearance of the first symptoms of discomfort. In retrospect, it is clear that the changes in the dog's behavior were caused by chronic pain. Presentation of new behaviors should be a signal to the owner indicating certain disturbances in the animal's well-being. There is a need for cooperation between the pet owner, veterinary doctor, and animal behaviorist in order to regard behavioral changes as a clue for the diagnosis of pain experienced by the animal and for treatment of its causes.

Assessment of selected indicators of the individual condition of roe deer Capreolus capreolus in the closed hunting season

The aim of the study was to assess the condition of roe deer in the closed hunting season based on the analysis of body weight and fat reserves in roe deer killed in road collisions. The research material consisted of kidneys dissected from 12 bucks, 4 does, and 5 fawns killed in road accidents between February 12 and May 10, 2020. The measurements were used for calculation of the kidney fat index (KFI) based on the formula [Bobek et al. 1984]: KFI = kidney weight with fat/kidney weight without fat. The study presents the distribution of the analyzed parameters with reference to the animal sex and month in which the animal died in the road collision. A distinct decline in the value of fat reserves expressed as the KFI index and the perirenal fat weight mass was observed in the study. In the first two months (February, March), this decrease coincided with reduced body weight, which rapidly increased in April. This may have been related to the intensive vegetation growth. Nevertheless, the costs of the breeding season (primarily in males) resulted in further weight loss in May. The analysis of carcass weight and fat reserves in roe deer killed in road collisions can complete the information about their individual condition and indirectly shows the condition of the roe deer population in the closed hunting season, i.e. in the critical period for this species (winter and the beginning of the breeding season).

Analysis of the territorial vocalization ritual of the common pheasant Phasianus colchicus

The aim of the study was to analyze the ritual of territorial vocalization of pheasant cocks. The research aim was to determine whether the duration of the ritual of the territorial vocalization of pheasant cocks depends on the season of the year or whether it is an individual feature. The work was performed based on the analysis of film recordings of 7 male pheasants recorded in the Bystrzyca Valley in Lublin (Poland). Several-minute recordings were made from April 19 to June 27, 2018 in the morning (around 6: 00-8: 00). The characteristic for the species ritual vocalization were divided into four phases. The study concluded that the average duration of individual phases of ritual vocalization in individual birds varies and is an individual value. The number flaps of the wings before and after the vocalization varies depending on the cock and is bird-specific, and depends to a small extent on the month of observation.

Dogs' Stay in a Pet Hotel - Salivary Cortisol Level and Adaptation to New Conditions

The aim of this study was to assess salivary cortisol level in dogs during admission and a three-day stay in a pet hotel. The study involved 20 dogs admitted to a pet hotel for a stay lasting for at least three consecutive days. The study group consisted of 10 small dogs and 10 medium-sized dogs, eight females and 12 males. Saliva was collected each day to assess cortisol levels. A stay in a hotel is a stressful situation for dogs, as evidenced by the increase in the salivary cortisol level. The highest salivary cortisol level was observed on the day of admission to the hotel. The median salivary cortisol level in the dogs on the consecutive days was 2.7 ng/ml on admission, 2.1 ng/ml after 24 hours, and 1.9 ng/ml after 48 hours. Depending on the size of the dog, the median salivary cortisol level was 2.8 ng/ml, 2.9 ng/ml and 2.4 ng/ml in the small dogs and and 2.2 ng/ml, 1.7 ng/ml and 1.2 ng/ml in the medium sized dogs on the consecutive days.

Salivary Cortisol Interactions in Search and Rescue Dogs and their Handlers

Simple Summary

Stress affects both people and animals every day. Working dogs are exposed to the same stressors as their handlers during work. Our research was conducted during search and rescue dog exams. The aim of the study was to investigate if handler stress during the exam affects his or her dog’s stress level. We observed a strong relationship of salivary cortisol between the dogs and their handlers, which was most prevalent in female dogs and female handlers.

Abstract

Search and rescue dogs are an important link in the search for missing persons. The aim of the study was to assess exam stress in search and rescue dogs and their handlers. The study included 41 rescue teams taking exams of field and rubble specialties. The level of cortisol, which is the main glucocorticosteroid modulating stress reactions in humans and dogs, was analyzed. The biological material used to assess the hormone concentration was saliva collected in a non-invasive way. In total, 164 test samples were collected: two from the dog and two from the handler before and immediately after the exam. Rescue exams were shown to significantly increase salivary cortisol in both dogs and their handlers. Strong interactions between cortisol levels in human–dog teams were also found with a more pronounced effect in female dog–female handler dyads.

Experimental extraction of secure correlations from a noisy private state

We report experimental generation of a noisy entangled four-photon state that exhibits a separation between the secure key contents and distillable entanglement, a hallmark feature of the recently established quantum theory of private states. The privacy analysis, based on the full tomographic reconstruction of the prepared state, is utilized in a proof-of-principle key generation. The inferiority of distillation-based strategies to extract the key is exposed by an implementation of an entanglement distillation protocol for the produced state.