Individual Dogs Research Articles

Evaluating urine volume and host depletion methods to enable genome-resolved metagenomics of the urobiome.

The gut microbiome has emerged as a clear player in health and disease, in part by mediating host response to environment and lifestyle. The urobiome (microbiota of the urinary tract) likely functions similarly. However, efforts to characterize the urobiome and assess its functional potential have been limited due to technical challenges including low microbial biomass and high host cell shedding in urine. Here, to begin addressing these challenges, we evaluate urine sample volume (100 ml - 5 mL), and host DNA depletion methods and their effects on urobiome profiles in healthy dogs, which are a robust large animal model for the human urobiome. We collected urine from seven dogs and fractionated samples into aliquots. One set of samples was spiked with host (canine) cells to model a biologically relevant host cell burden in urine. Samples then underwent DNA extraction followed by 16S rRNA gene and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. We then assembled metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) and compared microbial composition and diversity across groups. We tested six methods of DNA extraction: QIAamp BiOstic Bacteremia (no host depletion), QIAamp DNA Microbiome, Molzym MolYsis, NEBNext Microbiome DNA Enrichment, Zymo HostZERO, and Propidium Monoazide. In relation to urine sample volume, 3 3.0 mL resulted in the most consistent urobiome profiling. In relation to host depletion, individual (dog) but not extraction method drove overall differences in microbial composition. DNA Microbiome yielded the greatest microbial diversity in 16S rRNA sequencing data and shotgun metagenomic sequencing data, and maximized MAG recovery while effectively depleting host DNA in host-spiked urine samples. As proof-of-principle, we then mined MAGs for core metabolic functions and environmental chemical metabolism. We identified long chain alkane utilization in two of the urine MAGs. Long chain alkanes are common pollutants that result from industrial combustion processes and end up in urine. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to demonstrate environmental chemical degradation potential in urine microbes through genome-resolved metagenomics. These findings provide guidelines for studying the urobiome in relation to sample volume and host depletion, and lay the foundation for future evaluation of urobiome function in relation to health and disease.

A review of moxidectin vs. other macrocyclic lactones for prevention of heartworm disease in dogs with an appraisal of two commercial formulations.

Macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are the only drug class currently licensed for heartworm disease prophylaxis. Macrocyclic lactones kill third- and fourth-stage larvae of Dirofilaria immitis, thus preventing the development of adult worms in dogs, which are responsible for heartworm disease, a potentially life-threatening condition. Despite considerable overlap in terms of endectocide spectrum, several important differences distinguish moxidectin from other MLs. Moxidectin has beneficial pharmacokinetic characteristics, such as a longer half-life and greater tissue distribution compared to ivermectin. Additionally, moxidectin has a greater margin of safety compared to ivermectin in dogs with ABCB1 (previously MDR1) gene-defect, which is commonly recognized in collies and other breeds. Multiple laboratory studies have shown that moxidectin is more effective than other commonly used heartworm preventives against resistant strains of D. immitis. This improved efficacy benefits individual dogs and helps reduce the risk of spreading resistant strains within the community. Despite the presence of proven resistant strains in the United States, non-compliance with preventive measures remains a major factor contributing to the diagnosis of heartworm disease in dogs. In retrospective analyses, the oral moxidectin combination product Simparica Trio® (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) was associated with increased compliance, resulting in more time of protection compared to dogs receiving flea/tick and heartworm preventive products separately. Compliance with the extended-release moxidectin injectables ProHeart® 6 and ProHeart® 12 was higher than with monthly heartworm preventives, as they provide 6 months or a full year of protection with one single injection, respectively, and revenues remain in the veterinary clinics as injectable moxidectin cannot be sourced through online retailers.

Effect of body position on transesophageal atrial pacing in dogs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of body position on transesophageal atrial pacing (TEAP) in dogs. Study designProspective, experimental trial. AnimalsA total of eight mixed-breed dogs, median body mass 25 kg (range 11–31 kg). MethodsTEAP was performed using a 6 Fr (2 mm) pacing catheter introduced transorally and positioned in the lower esophagus in left lateral recumbency. The catheter was withdrawn in 5 mm increments until successful TEAP. The minimum pacing threshold (MPT) was determined at each 5 mm increment until atrial capture could not be achieved at a maximal pulse amplitude of 40 mA. The zone of capture (ZOC) was the total distance over which TEAP was achieved. The same process was repeated in right lateral, ventral and dorsal recumbency. A linear mixed model was used to assess the impact of body position on TEAP and ZOC. ResultsTEAP was achieved in all body positions. There was significant random effect of individual dogs on ZOC (p = 0.048) but not on MPT (p = 0.109). MPT was 11.56 ± 8.65 mA (mean ± SD), 8.43 ± 2.29 mA, 10.63 ± 6.91 mA and 10 ± 7.44 mA for dorsal, left and right lateral, and ventral recumbency, respectively. ZOC was 5.12 ± 2.08 cm, 6.35 ± 2.41 cm, 5.94 ± 3.23 cm and 5.31 ± 2.2 cm for dorsal, left lateral and right lateral, and ventral recumbency, respectively. Neither ZOC (p = 0.363) nor MPT (p = 0.716) varied significantly between body positions. Conclusions and clinical relevanceTEAP can be performed successfully in all body positions in dogs. Body position did not significantly influence MPT or ZOC values for TEAP. Further studies are needed to compare the efficacy of TEAP with the efficacy of standard pharmacological therapy for management of bradycardia during general anesthesia in dogs.

Assessment of a continuous passive motion assistive device in dogs following stifle surgery

Canine rehabilitation optimizes recovery and the quality of life in dogs with musculoskeletal conditions or after surgery. Achieving proper range of motion (ROM) is vital post-stifle surgery, often accomplished through manual therapy and active exercises. We investigated the mechanical performance of a continuous passive motion (CPM) device for dogs and its potential use in canine rehabilitation therapy.In the ethical review process, our research was accepted to be evaluated in a sample of four dogs that had undergone left stifle surgery. Each dog underwent four sessions with the device at three different speeds. Results showed the device replicated extension angles close to goniometer measurements used in manual therapy. Flexion was also achieved, but not to the same extent. A force threshold stopped the device, avoiding discomfort in dogs with restricted ROM. Dog-specific factors like body position, opposition to movement, limb size, stage of recovery, haircoat, and discomfort, appeared to influence device operation. Mechanical improvements to allow for enhanced flexion are recommended in future CPM device designs, including a resistance threshold that could be adjusted for individual dogs and stages of healing. This study serves as a foundation for future advancements in canine rehabilitation systems. A canine CPM device may provide an affordable option to improve ROM. This could be beneficial for dog owners, who may not be comfortable with manual therapy, to assist with home rehabilitation exercises.

Survival in dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology with and without lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging.

The prognosis of individual dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown etiology (MUE) remains difficult to predict. MUE cases with no lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) occur, but it is unknown whether this finding is associated with prognosis. MUE cases without detectable lesions on MRI have a better outcome than cases with detectable lesions. Study included 73 client-owned dogs with MUE presenting to Purdue University Veterinary Hospital from 2010 to 2020. Retrospective study. Dogs with a clinical diagnosis of MUE were identified by medical record search. MRI reports were reviewed for presence or absence of lesions consistent with MUE. Clinical findings at presentation, treatment, disease-specific survival, and outcomes including rates of remission and relapse were compared between cases with normal MRI or abnormal MRI. Overall, 54 dogs (74%) were classified as abnormal MRI, and 19 dogs (26%) were classified as normal MRI cases. Death caused by MUE occurred in 1/19 (5%) normal MRI dogs and 18/54 (33%) abnormal MRI dogs (P = .016). Median survival was >107 months in both groups, but survival was significantly longer in the normal MRI group (P = .019). On multivariate analysis, abnormal MRI was significantly related to death (hazard ratio, 7.71; 95% confidence interval 1.03-58.00, P = .0470), whereas significant relationships with death were not identified for either the use of secondary immunosuppressive medications or cerebrospinal fluid nucleated cell count. MUE dogs with no detectable lesions on MRI have reduced disease-related death compared with dogs with abnormal MRI. The presence or absence of MRI lesions in MUE dogs is prognostically relevant.

Validation of a bupropion, dextromethorphan, and omeprazole cocktail for simultaneous phenotyping of cytochrome P450 2B11, 2D15, and 3A12 activities in dogs.

Develop a cytochrome P450 (CYP) phenotyping cocktail for dogs using specific substrates for hepatic P450 enzymes CYP2B11, CYP2D15, and CYP3A12 and determine whether alternative sampling methods (saliva and urine) or single time point samples could be used instead of multiple blood sampling. 12 healthy client-owned dogs (8 females and 4 males) from February 2019 to May 2019. In a randomized crossover study, dogs received oral administration of the probe drug bupropion (75 mg), dextromethorphan (30 mg), or omeprazole (40 mg) alone or as a 3-drug combination (Program in Individualized Medicine [PrIMe] cocktail) to evaluate simultaneous phenotyping of CYP2B11, CYP2D15, and CYP3A12. Pharmacokinetic profiles for the probe drugs and metabolites were determined using plasma, saliva, and urine. Dogs received probe drugs alone or combined. Pharmacokinetic profiles up to 6 hours postdose for the probe drugs and metabolites were determined using plasma, saliva, and urine. The PrIMe cocktail was well tolerated. There was no statistically significant interaction between the probe drugs when administered together. Single time point plasma metabolic ratios at 4 hours postdose for all probe drugs strongly correlated with the corresponding area under the plasma concentration-versus-time curve (AUC) ratios. Saliva AUC metabolic ratios for CYP3A12 and CYP2D15 and 6-hour urine for CYP2B11 and CYP2D15 were correlated with plasma AUC ratios. The PrIMe cocktail can be used for simultaneous CYP phenotyping using plasma 4-hour single time point sample metabolic ratios. Saliva and urine sampling are suitable for specific CYPs. The PrIMe cocktail has potential as a useful tool in dogs to detect clinically important CYP-mediated drug-drug interactions, identify novel pharmacogenes, determine the drug-metabolizing phenotype of individual dogs, aid in individualized dose selection, and evaluate the effects of various physiological states on drug metabolism.

Dogs' ability to detect an inflammatory immune response in cattle via olfaction.

Canine olfaction is a potential means for detection of respiratory disease in beef cattle. In a prior study, two dogs were trained to discriminate between nasal swabs from healthy cattle and cattle that developed Bovine Respiratory Disease. Dogs had some ability to identify samples from BRD-affected cattle, but results were ambiguous. The purpose of this study was to evaluate more dogs using better-controlled training and testing procedures. Nasal and saliva swabs were collected from 96 cattle before and after administering a vaccine to induce an inflammatory immune response. Samples were stored at -80°C for up to 11 months before use, and samples from animals with an elevated body temperature at baseline were omitted. An automated olfactometer apparatus was constructed to improve blinding procedures and reduce opportunities for odor contamination. Four dogs were trained to distinguish between swabs from healthy and sickness-model cattle, including the two dogs from the previous study ("Runnels" and "Cheaps") and two inexperienced dogs ("Molokai" and "Amy"). During a seven-month training period, dogs were exposed to samples from 28 animals. Dogs were tested on 59 sets of unfamiliar samples. Performance varied among dogs (χ2 = 10.48, p = 0.02). Molokai's performance was above chance (0.73 ± 0.06, p = 0.0006), while Amy (0.44 ± 0.06, p = 0.43), Cheaps (0.53 ± 0.07, p = 0.79), and Runnels (0.56 ± 0.06, p = 0.43) did not respond correctly at a rate different from chance. Accuracy did not differ between nasal swabs (0.63 ± 0.08) and saliva swabs (0.53 ± 0.08, χ2 = 0.81, p = 0.37). The results of this study indicate that canine olfaction may be an effective means of detecting illness in beef cattle. However, individual dogs' aptitude for this detection task varies.

Investigating individual learning behaviour of dogs during a yes/no detection task

Detection dogs are frequently tested for their ability to detect a variety of targets. It is crucial to comprehend the processes for odour learning and the consequences of training on an expanding set of target scents on performance. To properly evaluate their ability to identify the target, the only true measure is the dogs' initial response to novel sources, since this excludes learning effects. In this study, we evaluated the individual learning processes of three detection dogs that were pre-trained to differentially respond to a faecal sample of a mare in oestrus (S+) and a faecal sample of the same mare in di-oestrus (S-). After reaching criterion during a test with known training samples, the dogs were tested for generalization to a novel source. Average responses to S+ and S- were calculated as a function of presentation sequence, and Signal Detection Theory was used to further analyse characteristic differences in learning. The results of this study suggest that the ability of individual scent detection dogs to learn within an olfactory discrimination test varies considerably. The information obtained in this study could be helpful for mitigation training. We show that through careful monitoring of individual learning processes, the strategy each dog followed becomes apparent: especially the observations on the dogs' responses to first encounters with novel sample sources. This provides us with more detailed information than the more traditional sensitivity and specificity measures and allows us to better predict the dog's capabilities.

Risk factors for Echinococcus multilocularis intestinal infections in owned domestic dogs in a North American metropolis (Calgary, Alberta)

Human alveolar echinococcosis is increasingly documented in Alberta, Canada. Its causative agent, Echinococcus multilocularis (Em), can be transmitted to humans by infected dogs. We assessed the prevalence and associated risk factors for Em infections in domestic dogs in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In this cross-sectional study that coupled collection and assessment of dog feces with a survey on potential risk factors, 13 of 696 (Bayesian true prevalence, 2.4%; 95% CrI: 1.3–4.0%) individual dogs’ feces collected during August and September 2012 were qPCR positive for Em. Sequencing two of these cases indicated that both were from the same Em European strain responsible for human infections in Alberta. Likelihood of intestinal Em was 5.6-times higher in hounds than other breeds, 4.6-times higher in dogs leashed at dog parks than those allowed off-leash, 3.1-times higher in dogs often kept in the backyard during spring and summer months than those rarely in the yard, and 3.3-times higher in dogs living in neighbourhoods bordering Bowmont park than those in other areas of Calgary. This situation warrants surveillance of dog infections as a preventative measure to reduce infections in North America.

INSL3 Variation in Dogs Following Suppression and Recovery of the HPG Axis.

Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a constitutive product of mature, adult-type Leydig cells of the testes and consequently in most mammals is an ideal biomarker with which to monitor pubertal development. A new heterologous time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay was developed and validated to measure circulating INSL3 in the blood of adult male dogs. Compared to other species, INSL3 concentration is low with marked variation between individuals, which appears to be independent of breed, age, or weight. A model system was then used in which a cohort of beagle dogs was subject to a GnRH-agonist implant to suppress the HPG axis and spermatogenesis, followed by implant removal and recovery. Unlike testosterone, INSL3 levels were not fully suppressed in all animals by the GnRH agonist, nor was the recovery of Leydig cell function following implant removal uniform or complete, even after several weeks. In dogs, and dissimilar from other species (including humans), Leydig-cell INSL3 appears to be quite variable between individual dogs and only weakly connected to the physiology of the HPG axis after its suppression by a GnRH-agonist implant and recovery. Consequently, INSL3 may be less useful in this species for the assessment of testis function.

Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess owner and canine quality-of-life and treatment satisfaction in canine allergic dermatitis.

Animal and owner quality-of-life (QoL) is pivotal in treatment decisions. Accurate measurement of owner-reported QoL and treatment satisfaction (TS) supports disease burden and treatment benefit evaluation. Develop and evaluate an owner-completed canine dermatitis QoL and TS questionnaire (CDQoL-TSQ) in allergic dogs. The CDQoL-TSQ was drafted following review of existing measures and expert input. Content validity was assessed through interviews with owners of allergic dogs. Psychometric properties of the QoL domains (Canine QoL, Owner QoL) were evaluated. Score interpretation was derived. Twenty dog owners were interviewed. Item wording was amended following the first 10 interviews. Data from 211 owners were used in the psychometric evaluation. The Canine QoL domain demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.89), test-retest reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.844), moderate convergent validity (r = 0.41) and moderate-high known-groups validity (effect size 0.37-0.64). The Owner QoL domain demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.73), high convergent validity (r = 0.63) and moderate-high known-groups validity (0.43-0.63). Test-retest reliability approached moderate strength (ICC2,1 = 0.490). Group-level interpretation analysis showed minimal important difference of 7.0-13.6 points for dogs and 13.0-13.6 for owners. For individual dogs a change of 6.3 or 12.5 points for dogs, and 12.5 or 18.8 for owners indicates a response. The CDQOL-TSQ is a two-part assessment to evaluate QoL and TS in canine allergic dermatitis. The QoL questionnaire demonstrated validity and reliability, and interpretation of scores was derived, making it suitable for use in research and practice. The TS module is suitable for clinical setting use to improve owner-veterinarian communication.

Environmental enrichments and data-driven welfare indicators for sheltered dogs using telemetric physiological measures and signal processing.

Shelters are stressful environments for domestic dogs which are known to negatively impact their welfare. The introduction of outside stimuli for dogs in this environment can improve their welfare and life conditions. However, our current understanding of the influence of different stimuli on shelter dogs' welfare is limited and the data is still insufficient to draw conclusions. In this study, we collected 28days (four weeks) of telemetry data from eight male dogs housed in an Italian shelter for a long period of time. During this period, three types of enrichment were introduced into the dogs' pens for one week each: entertaining objects, intraspecific, and interspecific social enrichment, by means of the presence of female conspecifics and the presence of a human. To quantify their impact, we introduce novel metrics as indicators of sheltered dogs' welfare based on telemetry data: the variation of heart rate, muscle activity, and body temperature from an average baseline day, quality of sleep, and the regularity for cyclicity of the aforementioned parameters, based on the day-night cycle. Using these metrics, we show that while all three stimuli statistically improve the dogs' welfare, the variance between individual dogs is large. Moreover, our findings indicate that the presence of female conspecific is the best stimulus among the three explored options which improves both the quality of sleep and the parameters' cyclicity. Our results are consistent with previous research findings while providing novel data-driven welfare indicators that promote objectivity. Thus, this research provides some useful guidelines for managing shelters and improving dogs' welfare.

A cross-sectional study to quantify the prevalence of Toxocara canis in dogs in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Toxocara canis is a globally distributed zoonotic parasite. The parasite has recently become a concern for public health in Vietnam. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify and quantify the risk factors associated with T. canis infection in dogs in Dak Lak province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The risk factors were identified using a mixed-effects logistic regression model and quantified using population attributable fractions. Examination of fecal samples collected from 1455 dogs using the sodium nitrate flotation technique showed 37.32% (95% CI: 34.83-39.86) of dogs infected with T. canis. The factors, including study location, multiple dogs living in a household, dog age, dog breed, and places keeping dogs were associated with a dog's likelihood of being T. canis infection. The household and individual dog levels contributed 17% and 82%, respectively, to the prevalence of T. canis in dogs. The adjusted population attributable fraction for confining dogs and raising an individual dog per household was 52% and 27%, respectively. The result of this study indicated that to minimize the burden of T. canis, intervention measures should target individual dogs and household levels.

Automated identification of African carnivores: conservation applications

Photographic images taken by tourists and uploaded to the African Carnivore Wildbook have been used by Cozzi et al. to identify individual African wild dogs and study their dispersal behavior. Collaborations among citizen scientists, computer scientists, and researchers can expand the reach of conservation efforts spatially and temporally.

Systematic minireview of the craniocervical junction in dogs with and without brachycephaly.

To identify, quantify and compare clinical and concurrent imaging findings of occipital hypoplasia (OH), syringomyelia (SM) and atlanto-occipital overlapping (AO) in dogs with or without brachycephaly. A focused systematic search for literature was performed in the Web of Science™, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Both authors screened and classified the identified articles using EndNote and appraised the articles using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklists. The main clinical and concurrent imaging features were extracted and evaluated for coexistence of OH, SM, AO, and other imaging findings. Thirty-one articles were included in this minireview. For articles focusing on descriptions of OH, SM and AO, 249 dogs had at least one of these conditions, and 3 of these 249 dogs (1%) had coexistence of all three conditions. For articles focusing on descriptions of the dogs, OH, SM, and AO were identified in 552/19/11/11, 574/2/0/6, and 100/0/0/0 small brachycephalic, small non-brachycephalic, large brachycephalic, and large non-brachycephalic breeds, respectively. For all small brachycephalic dogs, the percentages of affected animals were 40% for OH (p = 0.01), 42% for SM (p < 0.01) and 7% for AO (p = 0.033). The number of dogs having AO and clinical symptoms is low (n = 5). OH, SM and AO are more likely to affect small dogs. AO might be limited to small brachycephalic breeds owing to the geometry of the craniocervical junction. Hence, AO alone might not lead to SM. In individual dogs, readers should carefully interpret the clinical relevance of OH or AO in the absence of SM.

Legal regulation of euthanasia of animals without an owner: Pros and cons

The article argues for the conclusion that the actual conditions in which animals in shelters are kept often do not meet the requirements of humane treatment. Releasing animals without owners into their former habitats (outside or into the wild), in our opinion, does not meet humane considerations at all. If animals are sterilized and released into the street, then they remain neglected in search of food. Partial catching of individual representatives of stray animal populations and placing them in shelters does nothing to solve the problem, since the population size depends on the food supply, the presence of diseases of individual individuals, as well as other factors that are in no way related to government policy. The removal or sterilization of individual dogs puts a strain on the regional budget, but does not reduce the size or aggressiveness of stray dog populations. To keep stray animals in shelters, large premises, land plots, special instructors, etc. are required. All this is missing, which means we can talk about cruelty to animals placed in cages and unable to move normally. A solution to this problem may be to gradually expand the scope of euthanasia to all captured animals that could not be transferred to new owners. The use of similar practices in a number of foreign countries has already shown their effectiveness and relevance.

Characterisation of the pruritus responses and pruritic behaviours in an interleukin 31-induced canine model of pruritus.

Intravenous administration of interleukin (IL)-31 in healthy dogs has been used as a model to assess antipruritic drugs. However, there is no known in-depth characterisation of pruritic behaviours, and the repeatability of the IL-31-induced pruritus in the individual dogs is currently unknown. To evaluate the immediate/delayed pruritus responses and the pruritic behaviours observed in the IL-31-induced pruritic model in healthy dogs after repeated IL-31 injections. Fifteen healthy laboratory beagles. All dogs were video-recorded for 270 min after two intravenous recombinant IL-31 injections (1.75 μg/kg) and vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline, control) injections, respectively; interventions were randomised and performed with a 2 week wash-out period. Two blinded investigators reviewed the pruritic behaviours of all video recordings. Both canine IL-31 (IL-31_01, IL-31_02) injections significantly increased pruritic seconds and categorical minutes ('YES'/'NO' behaviour per discrete 1 min interval) in healthy dogs compared with both vehicle groups (Vehicle_01, Vehicle_02). The second intravenous canine IL-31 (IL-31_02) administered 14 days after the first IL-31 injection induced a significant increase in pruritic seconds (p = 0.021) and not pruritic categorical minutes (p = 0.231). An increase in pruritic seconds was observed in both IL-31 groups in the first 30 min post-administration, while there was no significant difference between IL-31 and vehicle groups. In conclusion, intravenous IL-31 reproducibly induces itch responses in dogs. Future evaluations of the canine IL-31 pruritic model should assess total pruritic behaviours in seconds rather than using a biased 'YES/NO' behaviour per 1 min scoring system.

189 Single-Step Gblup Evaluation for Behavioral Traits in Labrador Retrievers Used as Guide Dogs

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of prediction in a genomic selection program for behavior traits in a population of Labrador Retrievers used as service dogs. Phenotypic data were collected in 4841 Labrador Retrievers with ages ranging from 3 months to 2.5 years, for 17 phenotypes from the International Working Dog Registry behavior checklist. The behavior checklist is a document that standardizes a scoring system for the reaction of an individual dog to environmental stimulus. Such scores are used to assess behavior and suitability of a dog for training. Pedigree contained 23,593 animals with birth dates ranging from 1991 to 2019. Genomic data were available for 457 individuals and obtained by low-pass whole genome sequences and reduced to a 250K SNP chip. Breeding values were calculated using a single trait animal model that included the fixed effects of sex, year of birth, and a contemporary group that included month/year of behavior test and organization that hosted the test. Variance components were estimated using AIREML. Genomic information was included in the model under a single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP) approach by substituting the pedigree numerator relationship matrix with a matrix that combined pedigree and genomic relationships. Additionally, the genomic relationship matrix was modified under a weighted ssGBLUP (wssGBLUP) approach that allowed SNPs to have different distributions. Accuracies were evaluated in a 5-fold cross-validation that simulated a forward-in-time prediction. Heritabilities were low to moderate on all traits and varied from 0.025 to 0.37. Prediction based solely on pedigree information averaged 0.49 and ranged from 0.34 to 0.69. ssGBLUP increased the average accuracy to 0.55 and ranged from 0.34 to 0.72. Genomic estimated breeding values were more accurate than those computed with pedigrees for most traits. Gains in accuracy were limited by the small number of genotyped animals and are expected to increase as more animals are genotyped. The differences seen between the ssGBLUP approach and the wssGBLUP were minimal, and accuracies decreased after the second iteration. Those results indicate that behavior traits in this population are likely highly polygenic and would not benefit from weighted approaches. However, interpretation may change, as the limitations of the current study are due to the small number of genotyped individuals. Better SNP weight estimates may occur with more animals enrolled in the program, and with that a better description of the genetic architecture of the traits. The gains in accuracy show that genomic selection can help with improvement by identifying which young dogs have the highest genetic merit for the desired traits and are the best choices to keep as replacement breeders. The use of ssGBLUP is adequate for this canine data where not all animals are genotyped, and its use is recommended in selection programs focused on service dogs.

Canine separation-related problems: part 3: identifying the emotional component

Previous articles in this series have considered many of the factors that can initiate a dog's failure to cope during owner absence, as well as the range of resultant behaviours. Missing from the discussion is ‘the middleman’; before a behaviour can occur in response to a trigger stimulus, there needs to be an emotional response. Previously, consideration of separation-related problems focused on the emotion of anxiety. This article considers whether separation-related problems can involve alternative emotional networks and whether anxiety is a requirement for a separation-related problem. As the success of treatment programmes will rely on the accurate identification of causative factors, accurate identification of the emotions associated with an individual dog's separation-related problem will be essential to creating a plan for rehabilitation that is both likely to work and that falls within an owner's capacity to comply with advice.

A novel record of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, Malawi.

Most African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) populations are in decline and, due to habitat fragmentation and conflict rates in areas of higher anthropogenic land-use, are primarily restricted to protected areas. As a species that occurs at low densities, with a strict reproductive social structure, wild dogs rely on long-range dispersal to facilitate colonization, reproduction, and pack formation. In Malawi, large carnivores have been subject to widespread population decline and several protected areas have a reduced large carnivore guild, including the loss of resident wild dog populations. Here, during a biodiversity monitoring camera trap survey, we captured a novel record of wild dogs in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve (Vwaza), Malawi. The 11 photographic captures of potentially three individual wild dogs represent the first documented evidence of the species in Vwaza and the first record since an unconfirmed report in 2011. We hypothesize that this group of wild dogs moved into Vwaza through the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (MZTFCA), with the MZTFCA linking protected areas in Malawi with the Luangwa Valley, Zambia. The evidence provided here, and similar documentation in Kasungu National Park, Malawi, show that large carnivores can potentially move through the MZTFCA into protected areas in Malawi. We argue that the MZTFCA provides an important dispersal corridor that could help facilitate the recolonization of wild dogs, and other large carnivores, in Malawian protected areas. However, further research is needed to assess the permeability and status of the MZTFCA corridor into Malawi. We show that camera traps can be useful to document novel records of rare species and can be used to inform conservation management planning.