Inappropriate Elimination Research Articles

Effects of preadoption counseling for owners on house-training success among dogs acquired from shelters

To determine the effect of preadoption counseling for owners on house-training success among dogs acquired from shelters. Prospective study. 113 dog owners. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 54) or a control (59) group. Dog owners in the treatment group received counseling (5 minutes' duration) regarding house-training. Owners in the control group did not receive counseling, but all other adoption procedures were otherwise identical to those applied to the treatment group. All participants were contacted by telephone 1 month after adoption of a dog for assessment of house-training status and related issues by use of a standardized survey method; data were compared between groups. Most shelter dogs were considered successfully house-trained by their owners 1 month after adoption. Furthermore, dogs were considered house-trained by significantly more owners who received preadoption counseling than control group owners (98.1% vs 86.4%). Owners who received counseling used verbal punishment on their dogs during house-training less frequently and applied enzymatic cleaners to urine- or feces-soiled areas more frequently than owners in the control group. Results have suggested that brief preadoption counseling for owners enhances successful house-training of dogs adopted from shelters. Counseling owners at the time of pet acquisition may thus have beneficial effects in the prevention of inappropriate elimination behaviors. Veterinarians and animal care staff should be encouraged to devote time to counsel new pet owners on successful house-training, as well as other healthcare and behavioral needs.

Signalment Factors, Comorbidity in Behavior Diagnoses in Dogs in Bursa Region, Turkey (2000 - 2004)

The aim of this study was to classify the behaviour problems of dogs reported by owners in the Bursa region. A survey was conducted with the owners of 80 dogs with behaviour problems in 2000 - 2004. The questionnaire consisted of questions related to the demographics of the problems the owners observed in their dogs. Sixty eight dogs were selected from animals referred to the Clinic of the Internal Medicine Department of the Uludag University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and 12 dogs were selected at a private kennel. The 68 dogs diagnosed at the clinic as having behaviour problems represented 6.2% of the 1086 patient dogs older than 6 months seen in the same period. Twelve dogs with behaviour problems were selected from a total of 150 dogs at a private kennel. A total of 110 behavioural problems were detected. Some dogs showed more than one behavioural disorder. The classification of the problems was as follows: 65 dogs (59%) with aggression, 13 dogs (12%) with separation anxiety, 12 dogs (10.5%) with phobia of veterinary clinics and high-volume noises such as thunders and fireworks, 12 dogs (10.5%) with compulsive disorders (9 dogs with tail chasing, 2 dogs with lick dermatitis, 1 dog with self mutilation), 4 dogs (4%) with inappropriate elimination, 2 dogs (2%) with coprophagia, and 1 dog (1%) with puppy killing, 1 dog (1%) with false pregnancy. The breeds most often presented in our study were: German shepherd (19%), Terrier (18%), mixed breed (15%), Anatolian sheepdog (10%). The results of the study showed that behavioural problems are common among dogs in Bursa and aggression ranks first, followed by separation anxiety, phobia and tail chasing.

A prospective study of two self-help CD based desensitization and counter-conditioning programmes with the use of Dog Appeasing Pheromone for the treatment of firework fears in dogs ( Canis familiaris)

The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of two self-help CD based desensitization and counter-conditioning programmes with the use of Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) for the treatment of firework fears in dogs and to evaluate the training progress and owner compliance. Fifty-four individuals were recruited for an 8-week period of training between August and October 2004. The dogs were separated into two treatment groups, each using a different CD based programme. After implementing the CD programme for the 8-week period without any personalized instruction, two telephone follow-up interviews were completed after periods during which fireworks are commonly used (November and January). Forty-two individuals completed the first 4 weeks of training and 38 completed the 8-week training period. Thirty-six individuals completed the first follow-up interview with 29 completing the second follow-up interview. Assessment of efficacy was measured using both owner reports of its natural response (i.e. the dog's behaviour in the home) and video footage of behaviour in response to a novel recording of the problem sound (i.e. the dog's behaviour in the behaviour clinic) pre- and post-treatment. The majority of change with respect to the dogs’ response to the CD occurred during the first month of training with no significant change during the second month of training. With respect to real exposures, there was a significant reported improvement at both follow-up interviews in both the total severity scores and the global fear scores. There was significant improvement in the mean severity score of all individual behaviours at the first follow-up with the exception of “vigilance” behaviour. Inappropriate elimination was the only behaviour to be completely resolved by the second follow-up. No difference was found in the video recordings of fear behaviours occurring in response to a novel CD recording pre-treatment versus post-treatment. Although the CD programmes varied significantly from one another with respect to their format and the details given in their accompanying instruction booklet, there were no differences between total severity scores or global scores at follow-up two between the treatment groups. Eighty-three percent of owners claimed to have read over 90% of the accompanying instruction booklet for their respective CD but only 48% said that the majority of the instructions were clear. Approximately 90% reported they would consider using a CD based desensitization and counter-conditioning programme again if they were to acquire another dog that was scared of fireworks. These results suggest that the use of self-help CD based sound desensitization programmes in combination with DAP can produce a satisfactory result for some owners of dogs with fear of fireworks, but compliance may be a problem for a notable proportion of owners.

Elimination behavior patterns of domestic cats (Felis catus) with and without elimination behavior problems

To investigate the relationship of litter box location as it relates to cats' use of space in the house, elimination problems, and certain behaviors associated with elimination. 40 cats in single-cat house-holds with or without elimination behavior problems (20 cats/group). Camcorders were used to record the cats' behaviors at the litter box and other areas in which they eliminated during a 72-hour period. Use of space in the house was recorded by direct observation during 400 minutes of the 72-hour period. Elimination behaviors and other cat- and litter box-associated variables were compared between groups; litter box location with respect to inappropriate elimination was assessed. Litter box location did not differ between cats with and without elimination behavior problems. An inverse correlation was found between time spent sniffing and the distance of the litter box from the central core area. Cats with elimination problems spent significantly less time digging at the litter box than cats without elimination problems. There was no significant difference in the time spent pawing in litter box, sniffing, or covering excreta after elimination between the 2 groups of cats. Times spent digging in litter boxes by cats with and without elimination problems have been determined, and data suggest that actual digging times could be used as a means to test for litter preference and litter aversion. This information may also be used to identify cats with litter aversion prior to the development of an elimination problem.

Ion-suppression effects in liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry due to a formulation agent, a case study in drug discovery bioanalysis

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) has become the technology of choice for bioanalysis, due to its high selectivity and high sample throughput. However, concerns have grown that this technique may be subject to errors due to “invisible” interferences, in particular ion-suppression. Investigations on ion-suppression from formulation agents have only been published to a limited extent. Such effects can be of particular importance in pre-clinical discovery studies where drugs may be formulated with large amount of solubilisers and bioanalysis may use fast generic methods. In a preliminary pharmacokinetic study we observed strong ion-suppression from a polysorbate co-solvent, which, if undetected, would have given highly erroneous pharmacokinetic results and possibly could have led to the inappropriate elimination of a promising drug candidate. Different chromatographic methods were tested indicating that the separation step was essential in controlling these effects. A method based on matrix dilution is proposed to check for these effects during the use of discovery support methods, where full validation is not practical. Some excipients commonly used in formulations are polydispersed polymers, for which very limited pharmacokinetic information is available. Further investigation is needed to better understand the mechanisms of ion-suppression and the kinetics of the suppressing species to allow the development of new LC/MS/MS based analytical strategies, which will not be subject to such ionisation interferences.

DAP-kinase as a target for drug design in cancer and diseases associated with accelerated cell death

Misregulated cell death, which can result in either the excessive, inappropriate elimination of cells, or in the insufficient removal of damaged or malignant cells, has been associated with numerous diseases. Here we discuss an important molecular regulator of cell death, DAP-kinase (DAPk), which presents a promising target for therapeutic intervention. A structure-functional analysis of this calcium-regulated Ser/Thr kinase which promotes cell death will be presented, and emphasis will be placed on particular disease models in which its modulation might affect clinically-relevant cell death processes.

Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs.

To evaluate the long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy, compared with traditional-age gonadectomy, among dogs adopted from a large animal shelter. Retrospective cohort study. 1,842 dogs. Dogs underwent gonadectomy and were adopted from an animal shelter before 1 year of age; follow-up was available for as long as 11 years after surgery. Adopters completed a questionnaire about their dogs' behavior and medical history. When possible, the dogs' veterinary records were reviewed. Associations between the occurrence of 56 medical and behavioral conditions and dogs' age at gonadectomy were evaluated. Among female dogs, early-age gonadectomy was associated with increased rate of cystitis and decreasing age at gonadectomy was associated with increased rate of urinary incontinence. Among male and female dogs with early-age gonadectomy, hip dysplasia, noise phobias, and sexual behaviors were increased, whereas obesity, separation anxiety, escaping behaviors, inappropriate elimination when frightened, and relinquishment for any reason were decreased. Because early-age gonadectomy appears to offer more benefits than risks for male dogs, animal shelters can safely gonadectomize male dogs at a young age and veterinary practitioners should consider recommending routine gonadectomy for client-owned male dogs before the traditional age of 6 to 8 months. For female dogs, however, increased urinary incontinence suggests that delaying gonadectomy until at least 3 months of age may be beneficial.

Long-Term Outcome After Treatment of Feline Inappropriate Elimination

Urination and defecation outside the litter box is one of the most common behavior problems reported by cat caretakers and the most common behavioral reason that results in the relinquishment of cats to shelters. A physical examination, laboratory tests, and a thorough behavioral history are necessary to differentiate between the diagnoses of disease, marking, and inappropriate elimination. This study followed up on the outcome of cats who were treated for inappropriate elimination. Fifty-eight caregivers completed a telephone questionnaire 12 to 54 months after treatment was initiated. Twenty-seven (47%) of caregivers felt their cat was cured, 15 (26%) felt their cat was much better, 8 (14%) slightly better, 6 (10%) the same, and 2 (3%) worse. Forty caregivers (67%) observed a 90% to 100% reduction in frequency. There was a significant association between the caregivers' perception of treatment outcome and percentage reduction in frequency. There was a significant association between caregivers compliance and outcome. The results of this study give caregivers a valid and promising alternative to relinquishment for inappropriate elimination problems.

Feline Inappropriate Elimination

Cases involving inappropriate elimination can be treated successfully through careful diagnosis, identification of causative factors, and development of an appropriate treatment plan. Veterinarians can provide a valuable service to their clients through case workups, educational information, and timely referrals. Normal elimination and marking behavior and causative factors involved in inappropriate elimination cases are reviewed. Treatments, including behavior modification techniques and drug therapy suggestions, also are included in this article.

Behavioral and environmental factors associated with elimination behavior problems in cats: a retrospective study

Feline inappropriate elimination is a widespread behavioral complaint of pet owners. This study looked at data collected on 100 housesoiling cats from the referral behavioral practice of the author. These cats were referred for depositing urine, stool, urine and stool or spraying in the home. The information was contrasted and compared to similar information collected on 44 cats that did not have a history of persistent housesoiling. Litter type, litter pan type, household disruption, number of cats in the home, history of urinary tract disorders and elimination of covering behaviors were evaluated for both groups. Chi-squared analyses revealed that scented litter type ( P < 0.01), history of urinary tract disorders ( P < 0.05), and covering behaviors ( P < 0.01) differed significantly between housesoiling and non-housesoiling cats.

Clinical evaluation of cats with nonobstructive urinary tract diseases

Objective To identify the underlying cause of clinical signs in cats with non obstructive diseases of the bladder and urethra. Design Prospective case series. Sample Population 109 cats examined by the urology service of The Ohio State University's veterinary teaching hospital because of stranguria, hematuria, pollakiuria, or urination in inappropriate locations. Procedure History was obtained and a CBC, serum biochemical analyses, serologic tests for FeLV and feline immunodeficiency virus, urinalysis, bacterial culture of urine, and contrast radiography or urethrocystoscopy (females only) were performed. Results 16 cats had cystic calculi: 8 had struvite uroliths, 7 had calcium oxalate uroliths, and 1 had a urolith of unknown composition in conjunction with an anatomic defect. Anatomic defects, including diverticulae, urethral strictures, and a malpositioned urethra, were identified in 12 cats. A urinary tract infection was identified in 1 cat, and neoplasia was diagnosed in 2. One of the cats with neoplasia also had a struvite urolith. The remaining 80 cats did not have an anatomic defect, urolith, or tumor. Ten of these cats also did not have radiographic or cystoscopic abnormalities and were presumed to have a behavioral disorder. The remaining 70 cats had radiographic or cystoscopic abnormalities, and idiopathic cystitis was diagnosed. In 14 of the cats with idiopathic cystitis, results of a urinalysis were normal. Cats with idiopathic cystitis were significantly more likely to eat dry food exclusively (59%) than were cats in the general population (19%). Clinical Implications Results suggest that idiopathic cystitis occurs commonly in cats with stranguria, hematuria, pollakiurfa, or inappropriate elimination and is associated with consumption of dry foods. Contrast radiography or cystoscopy is necessary for differentiating idiopathic cystitis from behavioral disorders in some cats. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997;210:46–50)

Risk factors for relinquishment of cats to an animal shelter

Objective To identify feline and household characteristics associated with relinquishment of a pet cat to an animal shelter. Design Case-control study. Sample Population Households that relinquished cats for adoption (case households) and a random sample of current cat-owning households in the same community (control households). Results Potentially modifiable risk factors with the highest population attributable risk for relinquishment were owners having specific expectations about the cat's role in the household, allowing the cat outdoors, owning a sexually intact cat, never having read a book about cat behavior, cats having daily or weekly inappropriate elimination, and inappropriate care expectations. Frequency of inappropriate elimination and aggression toward people were not associated with declaw status, but these behaviors were more common among sexually intact cats, compared with sterilized cats. Owners of cats in case households were more likely than owners in control households to cite cost of sterilization as a reason a cat was sexually intact. Cats found as strays and cats acquired with minimal planning were at decreased risk of relinquishment. Clinical Implications—The identified risk factors can be modified by cat owners and veterinarians to decrease the estimated 4 million cats euthanatized annually in animal shelters. Owner education programs are needed as well as increased awareness on the part of cat owners and veterinarians of the importance of resolving feline inappropriate elimination problems. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1996;209:582-588)

Risk factors for relinquishment of dogs to an animal shelter

Objective To identify canine and household characteristics associated with relinquishment of a pet dog to an animal shelter. Design Case-control study. Sample Population Households that relinquished dogs for adoption (case households) and a random sample of current dog-owning households in the same community (control households). Results Potentially modifiable factors that explained the highest proportion of relinquishment were owners not participating in dog obedience classes after acquisition, lack of veterinary care, owning a sexually intact dog, inappropriate care expectations, and dogs having daily or weekly inappropriate elimination. Dogs obtained from shelters, kept in crates, or acquired at ≥ 6 months of age were at increased risk of relinquishment. Greater purchase price was associated with decreased risk of relinquishment, but relinquishment was not associated with the degree of planning to acquire the dog. Dogs with behavioral problems and little veterinary care were at greater risk of relinquishment than were dogs with regular veterinary care, and behavioral problems were associated with inappropriate care expectations. Clinical Implications Risk factors identified in this study can be modified by dog owners and veterinarians to decrease the estimated 2 million dogs euthanatized annually in animal shelters. Veterinarians should educate owners about typical dog behavior, routine care requirements and training, and the importance of regular veterinary visits; should incorporate wellness concepts in their practice; and should focus on preventive medicine and behavioral consultation. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1996,209:572-581)

Use of bromocriptine in spraying

As with inappropriate urination, a correct diagnosis of spraying depends on accurate history taking and a thorough clinical examination. Urine marking or spraying is an innate behavioural pattern and often fails to respond to environmental manipulation alone so that drug therapy may be necessary. Correct diagnosis of the problem is hence essential. Treatment is aimed at reducing the anxiety level of the cat. Medication used in conjunction with the behavioural modification and environmental manipulation techniques usually leads to a reduction in spraying to the owner’s satisfaction. Potential side effects are explained to the owner prior to instigating any therapy, as many are not registered for use in animals. However, drug therapy, despite the potential side effects, is preferable to euthanasia in many cases. The drugs most commonly used are benzodiazepenes, tricyclic antidepressants and progestins. Lately buspirone has also come into usage. Bromocriptine (an ergot alkaloid) may also be useful. These are dopamine agonists which activate the dopamine receptors in the brain, thus inhibiting the release of prolactin from the anterior pituitary. The exact mode of action in spraying behaviour is unclear. The dose of bromocriptine (Lactafal-Retard, Pravidel-Retard, ParlodelSandoz) is 2-5 mg per cat S.C. It may be repeated in 2-4 weeks. Oral administration has been reported but exact dose rates have not been determined. It is given twice a day for 4-8 weeks. It is thought that steady state plasma levels are reached in 10 days. At the time of writing the injectable form is no longer available. The side effects are prolapsing nictitating membranes, inappetence or anorexia of 24-48 h duration and increased affection, but no long term side effects have been reported in cats. In a preliminary trial conducted in 1989-1990 in four veterinary hospitals around Sydney, N.S.W., 38 cats were treated with bromocriptine by injection. Of these, 32 cats were available for follow up. Twenty-seven males and five females were presented for spraying. Some also had other behavioural problems such as aggression or inappropriate elimination. The cats ranged in age from 2 years to 13.5 years. Breed distribution was: 50% Domestic Shorthairs, 22% Burmese and 19% Siamese. In this study, the overall success rate was 78%; 85% of males and 40% of females responded to therapy (56% of these cats were previously unresponsive to progestins and improved with bromocriptine) . Follow-ups a year later in three cats showed no resumption of spraying. The results were promising but the drug was then withdrawn from the market.

A survey of foal rejecting mares

History forms were obtained from the owners of 135 foal rejecting mares. The owners had either contacted the Cornell University's Animal Behavior Clinic directly or had mailed-in a form published in Equine Practice, Compendium of Continuing Education, Horse and Rider, and other equine publications for veterinarians or laypersons. Of the 135 horses, 70 were Arabian, 24 were Quarter horses, 14 were Thoroughbreds and 4 were Morgans. Most ( 101 ) of the mares were primiparous, but 20 mares had rejected at least one other foal. Most (115) mares were between 4 and 10 years old. Rejection occurred immediately after birth by 95 of the mares, after 12 h by 11 and after 24 h by 14. Of the cases in which the outcome was known, 36 accepted their foals, 49 were separated from the foals who were either fostered onto another mare or hand raised. Ten foals were killed or died as a result of rejection.The common factor in eventual acceptance was very frequent opportunities for the foal to suckle provided by restraint of the mare. Detecting and neutralizing odor sources in dog and cat elimination problems Patrick Melese Veterinary Behavior Consultants, P.O. Box 99098, San Diego, CA 92169, USA Abstract Detection and effective treatment of soiled areas in a home is vital to the successful outcome of a behavioral consultation in inappropriate elimination cases. To detect urine odor sources, four methods were discussed including one's nose and eyes, as well as ultra-Detection and effective treatment of soiled areas in a home is vital to the successful outcome of a behavioral consultation in inappropriate elimination cases. To detect urine odor sources, four methods were discussed including one's nose and eyes, as well as ultra-

Feline Elimination Problems

AbstractInappropriate elimination accounted for 33% of the feline behavioral problems treated over an 18-month period at the Companion Animal Practice, The University of Queensland, Australia. Problems include spraying (35%), urinating (19%), defecating (31%), or a combination of these (16%). There were 7 entire males in the sample but they featured most often in the elimination problems (15 cases), 7 castrated males (7 cases), 7 entire females (7 cases), and 5 spayed (ovariohysterectomized) females (10 cases). Inappropriate elimination in specific locations can be managed using behavioral modification (sometimes aversion techniques), a change in routine, or synthetic progestins. The owners of the entire males refused castration for them for spraying although it was suggested there was about a 90% chance of success. Random elimination can be more difficult to treat and requires careful management. Spending more scheduled time actively playing with the cat proved to be a very important element of owner beh...

Feline house-soiling problems

Failure to use the litter box or house soiling is a common feline behavior problem, accounting for 59 of 100 cases of feline behavior problems presented to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Of the 59 cases, 19 (32%) of all house soilings were urine spraying, 19 (32%) urinating, 10 (17%) defecation and 11 (19%) were urination and defecation. Many factors appear to contribute to house soiling, including environmental and social stress, medical problems, in particular feline urological syndrome, and individual cats' idiosyncratic preferences for elimination sites. Twenty-four percent of cats had been unsuccessfully treated with progestins by the referring veterinarians. Treatment of inappropriate elimination behavior may involve treatment of medical problems, elimination of stress factors, increasing the attractiveness of the litter box and drug therapy. Results of the therapies suggested to owners were: 22% cured; 37% improved; 10% no change; 27% lost to follow-up. Therapies included recommendations to change the litter daily, to add more litter boxes, to cease punishing the cat, to have the cat neutered and prescription of progestins.

The wiring-in of neural nets revisited.

Abstract Earlier and some recent ideas about the possible modes of specification of the wiring-in of nervous systems are reviewed in the light of older and several recent experiments, and some new ideas are suggested. It is argued that certain general principles, notably the postulated ‘principle of alternative matching’ (PALMA) and a suggested and related ‘kaleidoscopic effect’ (KALEF), as well as the notion of an ‘extracellular guidance network’ (ECGN), are in good agreement with recent and older findings concerning axonal guidance during neural wiring-in. It seems possible that, by means of genetically programmed processes, neurons become systematically combinatorially labelled to such a degree that possibly all neurons are uniquely specified , as regards the combination of types of cell labels they make. Yet, there remains considerable freedom as regards the modes of arrangements of cell labels within cell surface membranes and the KALEF permits to overcome apparent difficulties that confronted earlier versions of the cell labelling hypotheses (cf. Edelman, Science 219 , 450–457, 1983 , for mention of such difficulties). Apart from label specification, neural development seems to depend on trophic factors, which are also essential for the maintenance of the developed nervous system. The systematic programmes for cell labelling, apart from generating all the required neurons, also produces inappropriate neurons and synaptic connections. These are got rid of by systematic cell death and/or atrophy of inappropriate synapses and/or elimination of inappropriate axon collaterals. The resulting neural net seems then very specifically wired-in for each species, apparently without redundant neurons.

The wiring-in of neural nets revisited

Earlier and some recent ideas about the possible modes of specification of the wiring-in of nervous systems are reviewed in the light of older and several recent experiments, and some new ideas are suggested. It is argued that certain general principles, notably the postulated ‘principle of alternative matching’ (PALMA) and a suggested and related ‘kaleidoscopic effect’ (KALEF), as well as the notion of an ‘extracellular guidance network’ (ECGN), are in good agreement with recent and older findings concerning axonal guidance during neural wiring-in. It seems possible that, by means of genetically programmed processes, neurons become systematically combinatorially labelled to such a degree that possibly all neurons are uniquely specified, as regards the combination of types of cell labels they make. Yet, there remains considerable freedom as regards the modes of arrangements of cell labels within cell surface membranes and the KALEF permits to overcome apparent difficulties that confronted earlier versions of the cell labelling hypotheses (cf. Edelman, Science 219, 450–457, 1983 , for mention of such difficulties). Apart from label specification, neural development seems to depend on trophic factors, which are also essential for the maintenance of the developed nervous system. The systematic programmes for cell labelling, apart from generating all the required neurons, also produces inappropriate neurons and synaptic connections. These are got rid of by systematic cell death and/or atrophy of inappropriate synapses and/or elimination of inappropriate axon collaterals. The resulting neural net seems then very specifically wired-in for each species, apparently without redundant neurons.