Dogs Housed Research Articles

First Report of Chewing LiceHeterodoxus spiniger(Enderlein, 1909) andTrichodectes canis(De Geer, 1778) on Domestic Dogs at Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract. Lice are small wingless insects in the order Phthiraptera. Historically, the chewing louse Heterodoxus spiniger (Enderlein) was described from marsupials to the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris L.). Clinical manifestations of infestations by chewing lice are characterized by intense irritation and inflammation of the skin. We found six of 337 domiciled dogs from Tabasco State, Southeastern Mexico infested by chewing lice. Dogs were systematically examined, and ectoparasites were removed using a fine-toothed comb. Lice were deposited on a white sheet of paper and placed into plastic containers. The dog houses sampled were typically small and built of cement, and most inhabitants lived in vulnerable conditions. This is the first record of H. spiniger and the dog biting louse, Trichodectes canis (De Geer), infesting domestic dogs in Mexico. H. spiniger was present in the six dogs infested by lice, and T. canis co-infested one of them. Therefore, six infested dogs (100%) were positive for H. spi...

Molecular characterization of Leishmania infantum strains by kinetoplast DNA RFLP-PCR.

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis is the tool most frequently used to classify Leishmania spp., although it is time consuming and, sometimes, a not enough discriminative method. In the present study a kinetoplast DNA polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to characterize 16 zymodeme MON-1 Leishmania infantum strains: 15 were from dogs housed in public kennels of 7 geographical areas in the Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy, 1 was the L. infantum reference strain MHOM/TN/1980/IPT1. Six enzymatic patterns were observed. Kinetoplast DNA RFLP-PCR confirmed to have a good discriminatory power within the same zymodeme and proved to be useful for comparing few strains or discriminating between relapse and reinfection in the same host. We therefore recommend it use for discriminating between relapse and reinfection in the same host rather than supporting large-scale epidemiological studies.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in an Endemic Area of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Background: Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a chronic and severe disease of great interest to global public health. In Brazil, the main species causing visceral leishmaniasis is Leishmania chagasi [syn. Leishmania infantum], which is transmitted by sandflies of the species Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lu. cruzi. This study aimed to determine the risk factors and prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs residing in endemic areas of the municipality of Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso.Material, Methods & Results: The study was conducted in the Várzea Grande neighbourhoods Jardim Eldorado, Parque Sabiá and São Mateus, which are located in the Brazilian Cerrado region and are endemic for visceral leishmaniasis. The Várzea Grande is a mostly commercial and industrial municipality and relies on subsistence farming. To describe the general characteristics of the dog population and housing environment, an interview was carried out with the dog owners in each household. This interview addressed local demographics and the identification of dogs to establish epidemiological aspects of canine illness and risk factors for infection. The dogs were examined and physically restrained for blood collection by jugular venipuncture. For serological testing, a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used. A Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used to identify associations between independent variables and the seroprevalence of dogs with anti-Leishmania antibodies. It were collected blood from 521 animals, including 160 belonging to Jardim Eldorado, 129 to Parque Sabiá and 232 to São Mateus. Of these animals, 120 were reactive by ELISA, with a prevalence of 23.0%. There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) according to gender, age, racial definition, origin, time with family, presence of ectoparasites, or the presence of people with skin wounds at home or on other pets. The major risk factor for canine infection was fur length; dogs with short fur were 2.2 times more likely to be infected than dogs with long fur.Discussion: The prevalence of canine leishmaniasis in endemic areas was found to be similar to studies in Cuiaba, a city in Várzea Grande, which also included neighbourhoods endemic for visceral leishmaniasis as study areas. Other studies have shown prevalence rates that differ from those found in this study. This difference may either be because the neighbourhoods in this study had already experienced outbreaks of the disease or because serum samples were cross-reactive with other trypanosomatids. While infection was more readily detected in dogs with clinical signs, asymptomatic dogs with anti-Leishmania antibodies were found in greater numbers, which is consistent with the literature. Hair length was the only factor associated with canine leishmaniasis in this study; short-haired animals were most at risk of contracting the disease because they had more skin exposure to sandflies during blood feeding. In conclusion, endemic districts of Várzea Grande had high prevalence rates of canine visceral leishmaniasis, and a short length coat was associated with infection.

Prevalence of Helminths in Dogs and Owners' Awareness of Zoonotic Diseases in Mampong, Ashanti, Ghana.

Dogs are popular pets that live closely with humans. However, this cohabitation allows for the transmission of zoonotic parasites to humans. In Ghana, very little is known about zoonotic parasites in dogs. We examined excrements of 154 dogs for intestinal helminthes using saturated sodium chloride as a floatation medium and further interviewed 100 dog owners regarding knowledge on zoonosis and pet management practices. Thirteen parasite species were identified, with an overall prevalence of 52.6%. Nematodes were more common than cestodes, with Toxocara canis being the most prevalent helminth (18.8%). Age (p = 0.011; χ 2 = 9.034) and location (p = 0.02; χ 2 = 12.323) of dogs were significant risk factors of helminthic infections, while mode of housing, function, and gender of dogs were not. Knowledge on zoonosis and pet management practices were poor, including irregular deworming and feeding of animals off the bare ground. Dogs may play an active role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases in the area, given the cohabitation of infected dogs with humans; irregular deworming pattern of dogs; and rampant excretion of helminth-infested dog excreta into the environment.

Emotional Support Animals, Service Animals, and Pets on Campus

For decades, universities have been accommodating physically disabled students who require guide dogs and other types of service animals. Within the past several years, however, mentally disabled students have increasingly petitioned colleges with no-pet policies to permit them to bring their animals on campus because they need a companion or emotional support animal to make college life easier and to reduce their stress, loneliness, depression, and/or anxiety. Institutions that unlawfully reject such requests are finding themselves in court and charged with disability discrimination. Schools are understandably confused about their obligation, if any, to waive their no-pet rules under these circumstances. This article discusses pets on campus and provides administrators guidance with respect to this increasingly contentious issue and to keep their organizations “out of the legal dog house.”

Science in the Doghouse

Science in the Doghouse

How can i find a doggy book?: Children's cognitive processes of physical characteristics of books

How can i find a doggy book?: Children's cognitive processes of physical characteristics of books

Teaching Sustainability through Service-Learning in Construction Education

In Spring 2011, under the umbrella of a departmental initiative called CM Cares, faculty from Colorado State University collaborated with a local design professional and high school to offer an experimental service-learning course to engage at-risk teens within the local community through completion of a hands-on construction project, and to empower construction management university students to be leaders, stewards and mentors by managing a small community-based construction project. In the course, university students worked with local, alternative high school students in their building trades shop class to construct two full-scale sustainable dog houses for the Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue Mission. In its pilot offering, the course met with significant success and several participants received university awards. The purpose of this research is to present this course as a case study to examine successful strategies and barriers to implementing service-learning in construction education to teach sustainability. Assessment of such engagement was performed using reflections and informal interviews, pre- and post-course surveys, and concept maps. Findings suggest that this service-learning course has the potential to meaningfully engage both university and at-risk high school students and to increase their interest in, and knowledge of sustainability and community action.

Domain and Function: A Dual-Space Model of Semantic Relations and Compositions

Given appropriate representations of the semantic relations between carpenter and wood and between mason and stone (for example, vectors in a vector space model), a suitable algorithm should be able to recognize that these relations are highly similar (carpenter is to wood as mason is to stone; the relations are analogous). Likewise, with representations of dog, house, and kennel, an algorithm should be able to recognize that the semantic composition of dog and house, dog house, is highly similar to kennel (dog house and kennel are synonymous). It seems that these two tasks, recognizing relations and compositions, are closely connected. However, up to now, the best models for relations are significantly different from the best models for compositions. In this paper, we introduce a dual-space model that unifies these two tasks. This model matches the performance of the best previous models for relations and compositions. The dual-space model consists of a space for measuring domain similarity and a space for measuring function similarity. Carpenter and wood share the same domain, the domain of carpentry. Mason and stone share the same domain, the domain of masonry. Carpenter and mason share the same function, the function of artisans. Wood and stone share the same function, the function of materials. In the composition dog house, kennel has some domain overlap with both dog and house (the domains of pets and buildings). The function of kennel is similar to the function of house (the function of shelters). By combining domain and function similarities in various ways, we can model relations, compositions, and other aspects of semantics.

Effect of kennel noise on hearing in dogs

To evaluate the degree of noise to which kenneled dogs were exposed in 2 typical kennels and to determine whether a measurable change in hearing might have developed as a result of exposure to this noise. 14 dogs temporarily housed in 2 kennel environments. Noise levels were measured for a 6-month period in one environment (veterinary technical college kennel) and for 3 months in another (animal shelter). Auditory brainstem response testing was performed on dogs in the veterinary kennel 48 hours and 3 and 6 months after arrival. Temporal changes in the lowest detectable response levels for wave V were analyzed. Acoustic analysis of the kennel environments revealed equivalent sound level values ranging between 100 and 108 dB sound pressure level for the 2 kennels. At the end of 6 months, all 14 dogs that underwent hearing tests had a measured change in hearing. Results of the noise assessments indicated levels that are damaging to the human auditory system. Such levels could be considered dangerous for kenneled dogs as well, particularly given the demonstrated hearing loss in dogs housed in the veterinary kennel for a prolonged period. Noise abatement strategies should be a standard part of kennel design and operation when such kennels are intended for long-term housing of dogs.

Rrralph by L. Ehlert

Ehlert, Lois. Rrralph. New York: Beach Lane Books, 2011. Print. “Would you like to meet a talking dog?” According to the author’s note, this book was based on jokes that her brother told his grandchildren. The humour translates well into the story as the narrator uses a series of onomatopoeic word-play to explain how Ralph the dog “talks”. For example, when asked where he is, Ralph answers that he is on the “Roof” of the dog house. When asked what is on a tree, he replies “Bark, Bark, Bark”. The story even includes a somewhat scary encounter between Ralph and a “Wolf! Wolf!” This book will definitely be a story-time favourite for younger children. The large format and brightly coloured pages make it ideal for displaying to groups. The super-size font alternates on each page between black and white, creating high contrasts. The illustrations were created from: “zippers, wood, buttons, twine, metal, tree bark, screws, hand-painted and home-made papers, and textile fragments”. This creates layers of interesting textures and gives the book a “home-spun” appeal. It would also provide an interesting opportunity for educators or parents to talk about making art from found or recycled objects, or the benefits of recycling in general. The highlight of the illustrations is Ralph’s multi-coloured textile collar and metal-heart shaped dog tag, which will remind readers of real beloved family pets. His zipper smile is pretty endearing as well. Other books by Lois Ehlert include: “Lots of Spots”, “Boo to You!” and “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom”. According to the publisher Rrralph is recommended for ages 2-6. Highly recommended: four out of four starsReviewer: Kim FrailKim is a Public Services Librarian at the H.T. Coutts Education Library at the University of Alberta. Children’s literature is a big part of her world at work and at home. She also enjoys gardening, renovating and keeping up with her two-year old.

Study on Hourly Frequency of Behavioral Manifestations in Dogs Kept in a Specialized Shelter

In a study conducted in the shelter for stray dogs of Pro Animals Association of Târgu Jiu was monitored hourly the number of the behavioral manifestations. For it was studied the behavior of 15 dogs housed in three paddocks for 10 days, 10 hours a day. From research, result that the highest share during the morning held the rest and abnormal behavior and activity behavior had the highest share during the afternoon. Data obtained by studying the behavior of 15 dogs of 3 paddocks, 10 hours a day during 10 days, were processed using Microsoft Excel 2003 and the significance of differences between the averages of three groups of behavior was tested with Student test.

The Great Big Book of Families (review)

Reviewed by: The Great Big Book of Families Elizabeth Bush Hoffman, Mary. The Great Big Book of Families; illus. by Ros Asquith. Dial, 2011. 36p. ISBN 978-0-8037-3516-3 $16.99 R 3–7 yrs. After just a couple of weeks of chatting with preschool classmates, most little kids begin to realize that plenty of families don’t look exactly like theirs. When the “Why don’t they . . . ?” and “Why don’t we . . . ?” questions start rolling in, parents can reach for this cheery, cartoony compendium of family diversity. Hoffman opens with a “Once upon a time” look at the old-fashioned storybook family of white-bread daddy, mommy, older brother, younger sister, dog, cat, and picket-fenced house; then the ensuing themed double-paged spreads get real. “Families” features single parent, adoptive-parent, same-sex-parent, and grandparent-headed households; “Schools” includes the traditionally schooled, the home-schooled, and the “just won’t go to”-schooled. “Jobs” include office work, work at home, and unemployment; “Clothes” range from thrift store to dress-up to flat-out eccentric. Asquith’s line-and-watercolor vignettes—a dash of Ed Emberley and a touch of [End Page 419] Jennifer Plecas—cluster in cozy groupings on bright white space. Hoffman so thoroughly tumbles together images of racial, religious, ethnic, economic, educational, residential, emotional, and generational diversity that listeners effortlessly get the message—there are all kinds of ways to be a family. Copyright © 2011 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Serological Evidence of Leishmania donovani Infection in Apparently Healthy Dogs using Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) and rk39 Dipstick Tests in Kafta Humera, north-west Ethiopia

Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) are protozoan parasites of significant medical and veterinary importance. Over the last decade, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has emerged as a major opportunistic infection associated with HIV/AIDS in North Western Ethiopia. This paper reports on serological evidence of possible Leishmania donovani (L. donovani) infection in dogs using two serological tests: direct agglutination test (DAT) and Kalazar detect rapid test (KDRT). Two hundred and seventeen asymptomatic local breed dogs were examined for L. donovani antibodies. Performance of the DAT and KDRT was assessed in 162 matching samples of blood collected on filter paper and serum, respectively. Using DAT and KDRT testing in parallel, the overall seroprevalence of L. donovani infection was 27.7% and 14.8%, respectively. The degree of agreement was found to be fair (68.8%, k = 0.234). Univariable logistic regression analysis of some risk factors for L. donovani infection in dogs using DAT indicates that place of residence, sex, age, dog keeping purpose and dog housing condition were not significantly associated with seropositivity. The high proportion of positive dogs suggests the exposure of these animals to L. donovani infection and needs further investigation. Isolation and typing of the parasite aiming at confirming the role of these animals in maintenance and transmission of kala-azar is advocated.

Gastro-Intestinal Helminths Detected by Coprological Examination in Stray Dogs in the Erzurum Province -Turkey

Summary The purpose of this study was to determine the extensity of gastro-intestinal helminths in stray dogs in Erzurum province (Turkey). During the investigation, stool samples were collected from 172 dogs of diff erent ages and sex from dog housing of Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality at diff erent times and examined by Fulleborn fl otation and Benedek sedimentation methods. Helminth infection was detected in 91 (52.9%) of 172 fecal samples. Six types of helminth eggs were identifi ed; 1 trematoda, 1 cestod and 4 nematod. Species responsible of infection were identifi ed as; Alaria spp. 2.9%, Taeniidae spp. 2.9%, Toxocara canis 20.3%, Toxascaris leonina 38.4%, hookworm 2.3% and Trichuris vulpis 0.6%. T. canis infection was more frequently seen in dogs younger than 1 year of age which was found statistically signifi cant (P<0.001). Consequently, it was considered that stray dogs in Erzurum were infected by zoonotic helminths and the control measures should be taken against this threat.

Hunde- und Katzenhaltungen in Tierheimen und Tierpensionen in der Schweiz

The study deals with the situation regarding housing of dogs and cats in Swiss shelters and kennels. In shelters, dogs were mainly held inside a cubicle with a small outside yard. In kennels, housing of dogs took place mainly in inside rooms. Usually two or three dogs were kept together. Cats were held in rooms, with or without outside yards, mainly in groups; no establishment preferred exclusively the housing in cubicles. Shelters received on average 183 dogs and 262 cats each year. Among them, about a third were lost animals while the remaining ones were relinquished. The study highlights some possibilities for improvements and the great diversity of the establishments regarding their size, infrastructure, housing conditions and aims.

Prevalence of aggression and fear-related behavioral problems in a sample of Argentine Dogos in Italy

The Argentine Dogo breed is identified frequently as potentially dangerous in worldwide legislation. To investigate the prevalence of problem behaviors in this breed, 94 Argentine Dogo owners provided information on aggressive and fearful behaviors shown by their dogs (83 males, 98 females) in a questionnaire. The results were consistent with the origin of the Argentine Dogo (i.e., descending from fighting dogs) and subsequent selection exerted to improve hunting qualities. Common aggressive behaviors included predation on small animals (92.0%), intra-specific conflicts (69.5%), and territoriality (i.e., vigilance of territory perimeter, 61.3%; aggression toward people visiting the dog's house, 45.3%; vigilance while inside the owners' car, 33.1%). Aggression directed to the owner was marginally represented. Reactions to leashing, bathing, punishment, sleep disturbance, toy removal, and in other conflict situations occurred in less than 10% of the sample. Reactions to food removal (13.3%) and handling (19.8%) showed higher prevalence. Chasing cars/running people (17.6%) and aggression toward strangers, either those who were friendly (19.1%) or those who seemed threatening on approach (29.4%), were noted. Low anxiety levels reported in social situations confirmed that these reactions were not common (e.g., fear of strangers, children, and unfamiliar dogs ≤10%). Common anxious behaviors were fear of traffic (10.3%), loud noises (36.2%), startling stimuli (30.5%), destructiveness (42.9%), excessive body licking (13.6%), and shyness in novel situations (32.4%). The context and targets of aggression when exhibited by these dogs (e.g., aggression toward animals when outside the dogs' territory, aggression towards people when inside territory) suggest that the Italian law on potentially dangerous dog breeds may be ineffective in preventing Argentine Dogos' aggression to humans. Social hazards could be reduced by promoting proper social exposure and reactions toward people.

Chips in the dog house

Chips in the dog house

AIBO in the dog house

AIBO in the dog house

Outdoor housing of laboratory dogs: Effects on activity, behaviour and physiology

Laboratory dogs are mainly housed indoors and outdoor housing is often considered to be an insecure and uncontrollable alternative. This study aimed to assess the effects of outdoor housing of laboratory dogs on their general physiology, activity and activity-related behaviours. Eight male Beagles dogs were randomised into two groups and housed pair wise in indoor housing (IH, 11 m 2), with or without access to an outdoor kennel (OH, 11 m 2) during daytime. Activity (steps per hour), behaviour, and usage of outdoor facilities were recorded during 6 weeks in a cross-over design. In addition, the dogs were weighed once weekly and blood samples were taken three times a week to monitor physiological parameters for kidney, liver, pancreas and immune system functions. Four of the dogs were housed with access to outdoor kennel prior to the study and the other four had only been housed indoors. The effect of housing type and previous housing was analysed. OH resulted in a significantly higher activity level, a higher frequency of moving and a lower frequency of passive behaviour. Alanine amino transferase, white blood cell count, granulocytes and neutrophils were significantly higher in IH, while cholesterol was lower, compared to OH, although all physiological parameters were kept within normal ranges. The dogs spent on average 162 ± 11 out of 500 possible min/day outside and the average frequency of entering the outdoor kennel was 102 ± 7 times per day. The duration of time spent outdoors was significantly longer during the second and third weeks of OH, compared to the first week. In conclusion, laboratory dogs can be housed with access to an outdoor kennel without altering their general physiology. Further, it clearly increased the voluntary activity and activity-related behaviours of the dogs and should therefore be beneficial for their welfare.