Pet Dog Population Research Articles

Development of a modified C-BARQ for evaluating behavior in working dogs.

Current high demand for effective odor detection dogs calls for the development of reliable methods for measuring performance-related behavioral phenotypes in these highly specialized working animals. The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is a widely used behavioral assessment tool among working dog organizations with a demonstrated ability to predict success/failure of dogs in training. However, this instrument was developed originally to study the prevalence of behavior problems in the pet dog population, and it therefore lacks the capacity to measure specific behavioral propensities that may also be important predictors of working dog success. The current paper examines the factor structure, internal reliability, and content validity of a modified version of the C-BARQ designed to evaluate four new domains of canine behavior in addition to those encompassed by the original C-BARQ. These domains, labeled Playfulness, Impulsivity, Distractibility, and Basophobia (fear of falling), respectively, describe aspects of canine behavior or temperament which are believed to contribute substantially to working dog performance. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of owner/handler questionnaire responses based on a sample of 1,117 working odor detection dogs. A total of 15 factors were extracted by EFA, 10 of which correspond to original C-BARQ factors. The remaining 5 comprise the four new domains- Playfulness, Impulsivity, Distractibility, and Basophobia- as well as a fifth new factor labeled Food focus. The resulting Working Dog Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (WDC-BARQ) successfully expands the measurement capacities of the original C-BARQ to include dimensions of behavior/temperament of particular relevance to many working dog populations.

Serological screening of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in stray and pet dogs populations in Ukraine

This study describes for the first time in Ukraine the results of serological screening for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in the population of pet and stray dogs. The study was conducted in the city of Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, in 2021 and 2022. A total of 351 serum samples were examined, of which 168 were collected from pet dogs and 183 from stray dogs. The study included the use of serological methods, including immunochromatographic analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Line blot is a simplified form of Western Blot. The results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that 14 positive samples from stray dogs had specific antibodies to B. burgdorferi s.l. In addition, 10 questionable serum samples were received, all from stray dogs. Further testing of the questionable samples using a Line blot assay showed that five of them contained antibodies to highly specific surface proteins of B. burgdorferi s.l., in particular to p100, VlsE and p18, confirming the presence of a natural infection. The remaining five samples were negative, indicating nonspecific immunoassay reactions. In contrast, the results of immunochromatographic analysis did not reveal any positive serum samples, which casts doubt on the possibility of using this method as a rapid screening tool for seroprevalence studies and requires further investigation. In summary, the study showed that the seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis among the studied population of stray dogs remained stable between 2021 and 2022, with rates of 10.2% and 10.7%, respectively, without a statistically significant difference (p=0.9164). In contrast, the studied population of pet dogs was consistently seronegative for B. burgdorferi s.l. in both years. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in seroprevalence between the stray and pet dog populations studied (p<0.00001). The stability of the seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in the population of stray dogs indicates the constant presence and persistence of this zoonosis in the study region. This emphasizes the need to implement long-term surveillance to better understand the dynamics of the disease and the possibility of using dogs, especially stray dogs, as a «marker» species for predicting the risks associated with the spread of Lyme borreliosis. Continuous surveillance is crucial for the development of evidence-based strategies to combat vector-borne diseases within the framework of the One Health concept. Key words: Lyme borreliosis, seroprevalence, dogs, antibodies, B. burgdorferi sensu lato, Ukraine.

Prevalence, Distribution, and Factors Associated with Vector-Borne Pathogen Infections in Pet Dogs from Different Geoclimatic Zones in Sri Lanka

Vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) cause significant diseases in dogs in the tropics. In Sri Lanka, the scarce availability of previous studies on canine VBPs has hampered an accurate evaluation of their prevalence in pet dog populations. In this study, we collected demographic, clinical, and environmental data together with whole blood from 423 pet dogs from three geoclimatic zones in Sri Lanka. All blood samples were screened using a previously validated multiplex qPCR assay to detect the six most prevalent canine VBPs in tropical Asia. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate environmental and host factors as predictors of VBP infections. Overall, 254 dogs (60.1%, 95% CI: 55.3–64.6%) were infected with one or more VBPs. Babesia gibsoni was the most prevalent VBP with 37.4% (95% CI: 32.7–42.2%) of dogs infected followed by Hepatozoon canis (21.04%, 95% CI: 17.25–25.24%), haemotropic mycoplasmas (10.2%, 95% CI: 7.5–13.4%), Babesia vogeli (5%, 95% CI: 3.2–7.5%), Ehrlichia canis (4.5%, 95% CI: 2.7–6.9%), and Anaplasma platys (3.8%, 95% CI: 2.12–6.1%). Predictors of VBP infections included tick infestation for H. canis ( p = 0.05 ) and A. platys ( p = 0.01 ), as well as age for B. gibsoni ( p = 0.01 ) and H. canis ( p = 0.05 ) infection. Local breed ( p = 0.004 ), male dogs ( p = 0.001 ) and flea infestation ( p = 0.04 ) were significantly associated with haemotropic mycoplasma infections suggesting direct-blood exchange through fighting and fleas as a possible means of transmission for these pathogens. Clinical results suggest that B. gibsoni and E. canis caused clinically significant disease, especially in exotic breeds such as German shepherds and Rottweilers compared to the local breeds ( p < 0.001 ). Measures such as educating pet dog owners on the importance of being vigilant on ectoparasite infestation of their pets, preventing pet dogs from interacting with stray or community dogs, and the compliant use of effective ectoparasiticides will be crucial for effective control of VBPs in pet dogs in Sri Lanka.

Non-pharmacological interventions for the treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction: A scoping review

Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a neurodegenerative disease, likened to Alzheimer's, most commonly seen in dogs over the age of 10 years. CCD is difficult to diagnose and there is no cure, consequently research efforts are focused on maintaining a good quality of life for these dogs for as long as possible. Our scoping review aimed to identify, critically appraise, and map the existing literature on the impact of non-pharmacological treatments for CCD. We followed a systematic approach and utilised established tools to assess the literature. Thirty-one papers were extracted for full review. Of these, 29 investigated supplements or diets as their intervention, with the most common a combination of antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids, which are known for their neuroprotective qualities. There were almost twice as many experiments conducted on laboratory dogs than on pet dogs. The inclusion and exclusion criteria for each study varied widely and was often not well-defined, making comparisons between treatments difficult. This scoping review highlights the need for an accepted measure to determine the presence of CCD, standardised testing methods for cognitive ability in senior canines that translates between laboratory and pet dog populations, and a broader view of non-pharmacological interventions that go beyond supplements or diets.

CANINE HEARTWORM INFECTION AND PROPHYLAXIS USE AMONG PET CARETAKERS FROM THE CUMBERLAND GAP REGION OF TENNESSEE, USA.

The prevalence of infection with canine heartworm (CHW), Dirofilaria immitis, continues to increase across the United States, regardless of the availability of effective and affordable prophylactic products. Current reports of CHW prevalence as estimated by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) are thought to under-represent the true magnitude of the issue because pet dogs that do not receive regular veterinary care are often excluded. This study estimated the prevalence of CHW in pet dogs and associated prophylaxis use in pet dogs in the Cumberland Gap Region with a combined doorstep diagnostic testing approach and caretaker survey. Dogs tested (n = 258) during the summers of 2018 and 2019 revealed a 2.3% (6/258) prevalence in the pet dog population with 33% (2/6) being microfilaremic. Questionnaire data from caretaker interviews revealed that 41.8% (108/258) of the dogs were not receiving CHW prophylaxis. Significant predictors of CHW prophylaxis use identified through logistic regression included pet caretaker awareness of CHW as an important health issue and the use of veterinary services in the year preceding participation in the survey. These results underscore the importance of veterinary-mediated client interaction to create risk awareness of CHW disease and association with prophylaxis compliance.

Emergence of Ancylostoma caninum parasites with the benzimidazole resistance F167Y polymorphism in the US dog population

BackgroundAnthelmintic resistance to benzimidazole has been detected in the canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum. Benzimidazole resistance is believed to have developed originally in greyhounds, but has also been detected in non-greyhound pet dogs. The aim of this study was to validate a probe-based allele-specific real-time PCR tests for the F167Y polymorphism on the β-tubulin isotype-1 gene and to determine the geographic distribution. MethodsAllele-specific real-time PCR tests were established and validated to detect the codon 167 polymorphism in the Ancylostoma caninum β-tubulin isotype-1gene. Additionally, real-time PCR tests were validated for Ancylostoma spp. and Uncinaria stenocephala. Two nucleic acid extraction protocols were validated including mechanical disruption of parasite structures in stool. The frequency of the F167Y single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was determined in hookworm confirmed stool samples. Samples with the resistant 167Y genotype were confirmed by β-tubulin gene sequencing and allele frequencies were determined. ResultsThe Ancylostoma spp. and A. caninum F167Y allele-specific real-time PCR tests were highly sensitive and specific when tested against synthetic DNA, spiked samples, and characterized parasites. Using an optimized total nucleic acid extraction protocol, 54 of 511 (10.6%) were found to contain the benzimidazole resistance allele. All 55 samples containing hookworms with the resistance mutation were confirmed by β-tubulin gene sequencing. The majority of resistant hookworms (44 resistant, 183 tested; 24.4%) originated from Florida, five from California (103 tested, 4.9%), three from Idaho (40 tested, 7.5%), two from Nevada (22 tested, 9.1%), and one sample from Hawaii (13 tested, 7.7%). Resistant genotypes were found in 14 different dog breeds including eight in Greyhounds. Allele-frequency determination revealed resistance allele frequencies between 1 and 100% with 58% above 50%. ConclusionsThis data strongly supports recent findings of benzimidazole resistant canine hookworms present throughout the general US pet dog population.

Prevalence and etiology of dentoalveolar trauma in 1,592 United States military working dogs: A 1-year retrospective study.

The objective of this study was to quantify the overall prevalence and classification of traumatic dentoalveolar injury (TDI) in a large population of military working dogs (MWDs). The medical records of 1,592 MWDs undergoing routine oral exam and periodontal treatment over a 1-year period were reviewed. The MWDs were located at over 100 military veterinary treatment facilities across the globe. Patient signalment, occupational duty certification, tooth injured, and trauma etiology were recorded. The overall prevalence of TDI was 43.6%. The mean number of TDI per MWD was 1.2. Maxillary tooth fractures were the most common at 60.9% compared to mandibular tooth fractures 39.1%. The most common TDI was enamel-dentin-pulp fractures which accounted for 59.9% of all injuries. Specialized Search Dogs (SSDs) had the highest average of enamel-dentin and enamel-dentin-pulp tooth trauma. Incidental findings with an unknown cause accounted for the majority of tooth trauma 69.2% followed by housing 18.2%, bite work 6.2%, and blunt force trauma 6.0%. The frequency of TDI in the MWD population was substantial, with more than one out of every four MWDs requiring treatment. The probability of a tooth injury in the MWD population was nearly double compared to the pet dog population. Tooth type and age were significant predictors of severe tooth trauma requiring treatment. Improved understanding of MWD tooth trauma prevalence and risk factors will help drive change while maintaining deployment readiness of the team.

Understanding the dog population in the Republic of Ireland: insight from existing data sources?

BackgroundReliable information about national pet dog populations is an important contributor to informed decision-making, both by governments and national dog welfare organisations. In some countries, there is an improved understanding of aspects of the national pet dog population, but as yet limited published information is available in Ireland. The current study reviews the utility of existing data to inform our understanding of recent changes to the pet dog population in Ireland, including both biological and organisational processes.ResultsBased on national data on dog licencing and microchipping registration, pet dog numbers have remained relatively stable in recent years (ie prior to the COVID-19 pandemic). Since 2015, there has been a substantial decrease in the number of dogs managed through dog control centres. Although the completeness of the data are likely variable, there appears to be substantial, and increasing, number of dogs moving from Ireland to other countries, including UK, Sweden, Italy, Germany and Singapore. We also note an increase (albeit much smaller) in the number of dogs being moved into Ireland.ConclusionsThis study highlights the challenges faced when using existing national data to gain insights into the dog population of Ireland. The linking of existing national databases (individual dog identification, dog licencing, dog control statistics) has the potential to improve both the representativeness and accuracy of information about the Irish pet dog population. In the next phases of our work, we will focus on the work of dog welfare organisations, given both the increased role played by these organisations and the substantial public funding that has been committed in this sector.

Use of Cognitive Testing, Questionnaires, and Plasma Biomarkers to Quantify Cognitive Impairment in an Aging Pet Dog Population.

Aging dogs may suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), a condition in which cognitive decline is associated with amyloid pathology and cortical atrophy. Presumptive diagnosis is made through physical examination, exclusion of systemic/metabolic conditions, and completion of screening questionnaires by owners. This study aimed to determine whether cognitive function could be quantified in aging pet dogs, and to correlate cognitive testing with validated questionnaires and plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) concentration. Thirty-nine dogs from fifteen breeds were recruited (9.3 to 15.3 years). Owners completed the Canine Dementia Scale (CADES) and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating scale (CCDR). Executive control and social cues were tested, and pNfL was measured with single molecule array assay. Comparisons were made between cognitive testing scores, CADES, CCDR scores, and pNfL. CADES scoring classified five dogs as severe CCDS, six as moderate, ten as mild, and eighteen as normal. CCDR identified seven dogs at risk of CCDS and thirty-two as normal. Cognitive testing was possible in the majority of dogs, although severely affected dogs were unable to learn tasks. CADES score correlated with sustained attention duration (r = -0.47, p = 0.002), inhibitory control (r = -0.51, p = 0.002), detour (r = -0.43, p = 0.001), and pNfL (r = 0.41, p = 0.025). Concentration of pNfL correlated with inhibitory control (r = -0.7, p≤0.001). The CCDR scale correlated with performance on inhibitory control (r = -0.46, p = 0.005). Our findings suggest that a multi-dimensional approach using a combination of questionnaires, specific cognitive tests, and pNfL concentration can be used to quantify cognitive decline in aging pet dogs.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Dogs and Cats from Southern Germany and Northern Italy during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected millions of people globally since its first detection in late 2019. Besides humans, cats and, to some extent, dogs were shown to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the need for surveillance in a One Health context. Seven veterinary clinics from regions with high incidences of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were recruited during the early pandemic (March to July 2020) for the screening of patients. A total of 2257 oropharyngeal and nasal swab specimen from 877 dogs and 260 cats (including 18 animals from COVID-19-affected households and 92 animals with signs of respiratory disease) were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) targeting the viral envelope (E) and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes. One oropharyngeal swab from an Italian cat, living in a COVID-19-affected household in Piedmont, tested positive in RT-qPCR (1/260; 0.38%, 95% CI: 0.01–2.1%), and SARS-CoV-2 infection of the animal was serologically confirmed six months later. One oropharyngeal swab from a dog was potentially positive (1/877; 0.1%, 95% CI: 0.002–0.63%), but the result was not confirmed in a reference laboratory. Analyses of convenience sera from 118 animals identified one dog (1/94; 1.1%; 95% CI: 0.02–5.7%) from Lombardy, but no cats (0/24), as positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) antibodies and neutralizing activity. These findings support the hypothesis that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pet cat and dog populations, and hence, the risk of zoonotic transmission to veterinary staff, was low during the first wave of the pandemic, even in hotspot areas.

Molecular Detection of Ehrlichia canis in the Pet-Dog Population in R. N. Macedonia

Abstract Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a widespread, tick-borne, canine disease, caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia canis. The main vector, a brown-dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is widely distributed, especially in areas with tropic, subtropic, or Mediterranean climates (Central and South America, Eastern and Western Asia, Africa, Australia and Southern Europe). The study performed in 2012, by Stefanovska et al., determined a seroprevalence of 18.7% of E. canis among the Macedonian dog population. Up to date, the presence of E. canis, using molecular diagnostic methods, has not been investigated in Macedonia. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm the presence of E. canis, in the pet-dog population on the territory of the city of Skopje, North Macedonia, using a highly sensitive multiplex Real-Time PCR method (qPCR). Whole blood samples from 80 dogs of different breeds and ages, with clinical symptoms of CME and positive serology result for the presence of antibodies against E.canis, were collected for analyses. Out of 80 dogs, 36 (45%) were found as positive. The present work reports the first molecular detection of E. canis in pet dogs on the territory of the city of Skopje, Macedonia.

Management practices of dog and cat owners in France (pet traveling, animal contact rates and medical monitoring): Impacts on the introduction and the spread of directly transmitted infectious pet diseases.

A number of owner practices among the pet dog and cat population can influence the dynamics of directly transmitted infectious dog and cat diseases, including zoonotic ones. To better depict these management practices, which include pet traveling, contact rates with other companion animals and their medical monitoring (which herein includes prevention aspects), we surveyed 2,122 dog- and/or cat-owning French households through an anonymous online questionnaire. Trips with dogs within the European Union (EU) were frequent, while cats travelled less frequently within the EU and both cats and dogs travelled less frequently outside the EU. Recurrent illegal trips with dogs and cats (non-compliant with regulatory measures) were observed in a context of non-systematic pet border controls. We found that a large proportion of dogs are taken for walks in metropolitan France, with frequent intraspecific contacts (1.4 contacts/day on average), but only a minority (1.4%) of dogs were allowed to roam freely. On the other hand, 59.7% of cat owners allowed their cats to roam freely. We classified pet owners according to different profiles, some of which may be considered 'at risk' for directly transmitted infectious pet diseases. Indeed, one dog owner profile and one cat owner profile depict 'spreaders' of pet diseases (high connectivity with other individuals, little medical monitoring but no traveling) and another dog owner profile describes a potential 'introducer' and 'spreader' of pet diseases (foreign travel, high connectivity with other individuals, and intermediate medical monitoring). While these 'at risk' profiles represent only a minority of French pet owners, they should be better characterized to reinforce targeted prevention designed to minimize the risk of (re)introduction and (re)emergence of directly transmitted infectious dog and cat diseases in France, especially when considering zoonoses with a significant potential impact, such as rabies.

Adjuvant Sirolimus Does Not Improve Outcome in Pet Dogs Receiving Standard-of-Care Therapy for Appendicular Osteosarcoma: A Prospective, Randomized Trial of 324 Dogs.

The mTOR pathway has been identified as a key nutrient signaling hub that participates in metastatic progression of high-grade osteosarcoma. Inhibition of mTOR signaling is biologically achievable with sirolimus, and might slow the outgrowth of distant metastases. In this study, pet dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma were leveraged as high-value biologic models for pediatric osteosarcoma, to assess mTOR inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for attenuating metastatic disease progression. A total of 324 pet dogs diagnosed with treatment-naïve appendicular osteosarcoma were randomized into a two-arm, multicenter, parallel superiority trial whereby dogs received amputation of the affected limb, followed by adjuvant carboplatin chemotherapy ± oral sirolimus therapy. The primary outcome measure was disease-free interval (DFI), as assessed by serial physical and radiologic detection of emergent macroscopic metastases; secondary outcomes included overall 1- and 2-year survival rates, and sirolimus pharmacokinetic variables and their correlative relationship to adverse events and clinical outcomes. There was no significant difference in the median DFI or overall survival between the two arms of this trial; the median DFI and survival for standard-of-care (SOC; defined as amputation and carboplatin therapy) dogs was 180 days [95% confidence interval (CI), 144-237] and 282 days (95% CI, 224-383) and for SOC + sirolimus dogs, it was 204 days (95% CI, 157-217) and 280 days (95% CI, 252-332), respectively. In a population of pet dogs nongenomically segmented for predicted mTOR inhibition response, sequentially administered adjuvant sirolimus, although well tolerated when added to a backbone of therapy, did not extend DFI or survival in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.

Human Dirofilariasis: A Case of Infraorbital Infection

Background: Human dirofilariasis is not perceived as a serious public health concern in India despite more number of sporadic cases being reported of late. Only a few dozen cases were reported in the first decade of the new millenium, but the number is gradually increasing during the last decade. With a high population of pet dogs & cats and vast number of stray dogs, the State of Kerala could be a potential infective area. Case Report: It is against this background that an interesting case of infraorbital incidence of dirofilaria repens is being reported that was mimicking as periorbital cellulitis. The cyst was surgically excised and sent for histopathological examination. The presence of Dirofilaria repens was confirmed. Conclusion: There has been an increase in the incidence of dirofilariasis in countries that were considered as non-endemic such as India of late. The probable contributing factors are discussed in detail. Coordinated parasite surveillance and preventive vector control measures with active participation from LSGs and local population are suggested.

Pet dog disease pre-diagnosis system for caregiver with possibilistic C-means clustering and disease database

<p>While the population of pet dogs and veterinary clinics are increasing, there is no reliable and useful software for pet owners/caregivers who have limited knowledge on the pet diseases. In this paper, we propose a pre-diagnosis system working on the mobile platform that the pet owner can take a pre-diagnosis from his/her observation of pet dog’s abnormality. Technically, the system needs a reliable databases for disease-symptom association thus we provide it based on the textbook and encyclopedia. Then, we apply Possibilistic C-Means algorithm that is an unsupervised machine learning algorithm to form the connections between disease and symptoms from database. The system outputs five most probable diseases from the observed symptoms of pet dog. The utility of this system is to alert the owner’s attention on the pet dog’s abnormal behavior and try to find the diseases as soon as possible.</p>

Autoregressive Models Applied to Time-Series Data in Veterinary Science.

A time-series is any set of N time-ordered observations of a process. In veterinary epidemiology, our focus is generally on disease occurrence (the “process”) over time, but animal production, welfare or other traits might also be of interest. A common source of time-series datasets are animal disease monitoring and surveillance systems. Here, we scan the application of methods to analyse time-series data in the peer-reviewed, published literature. Based on this literature scan we focus on autocorrelation and illustrate the recommended steps using ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Models) methods via analysis of a time-series of canine parvovirus (CPV) events in a pet dog population in Australia, 2009 to 2015. We conclude by identifying the barriers to the application of ARIMA methods in veterinary epidemiology and suggest some possible solutions. In the literature scan the selected 37 studies focused mostly on infectious and parasitic diseases, predominantly for analytical, rather than descriptive or predictive, purposes. Trends and seasonality were investigated, and autocorrelation analyzed, in most studies, most commonly using R software. An approach to analyzing autocorrelation using ARIMA methods was then illustrated using a time-series (week and month units) of CPV events in a pet dog population in Australia, reported to a national companion animal disease surveillance system. This time-series was derived by summing veterinarian reports of confirmed CPV diagnoses. We present data analysis output generated via the R statistical environment, and make this code available for the reader to apply to this or other time-series datasets. We also illustrate prediction of CPV events by rainfall as a covariate. Time-series analysis using ARIMA methods to understand and explore autocorrelation appears to be relatively uncommon in veterinary epidemiology. Some of the reasons might include limited availability of data of sufficient time unit length, lack of familiarity with analytical methods and available software, and how to best use the information generated. We recommend that wherever feasible, such time-series data be made available both for analysis and for methods development.

Factors Affecting Canine Obesity Seem to Be Independent of the Economic Status of the Country—A Survey on Hungarian Companion Dogs

For a companion dog, the most important environmental factor is the owner, who is responsible for providing everything that is necessary for the health and welfare of the dog. Still, one of the most often compromised measures of an average companion dog is its body condition, with overweight and obese animals representing a growing welfare problem around the world. Using an extensive online survey that was distributed among Hungarian dog owners, we wanted to know whether those obesogenic factors that were identified mostly in high-GDP countries' pet dog populations would hold their relevance in a much lower average income country as well. We found several associations between the body condition of canine companions and various demographics, environmental and behavioral factors. Older dogs reportedly had an accelerating propensity for being overweight. Joint activity and performing dog sports both reduced the likelihood of being an overweight dog. Main food types also had significant associations with the body condition of dogs-meanwhile, the feeding of commercial dog food (kibble) and/or leftovers of human meals coincided with being overweight, dogs that were fed (fully, or at least partly) with raw food were less likely overweight. In the case of owner-reported behavioral problems, the food-related issues (stealing food, overeating, etc.) were clustered to a dimension together with problem behaviors such as excessive barking and overt aggression. Beyond showing a good agreement with earlier surveys on associated factors with canine obesity, our study revealed some interesting new details that could be used in the prevention of overweight problems in dogs.

Epidemiological study of Giardia duodenalis infection in companion dogs from the metropolitan area of São Paulo Brazil.

Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic pathogen associated with gastrointestinal disease that has a direct life cycle, with cysts eliminated in the faeces of an infected host being ingested by a susceptible host. In Brazil, studies of chronically infected adult dogs estimated a prevalence of 10%-20%. Diagnosis of giardiasis, as a cause of diarrhoea is important for the global One-Health guidelines when controlling cyst dissemination in the environment. We investigated the prevalence of G.duodenalis in the pet dog population of the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, compared the efficacy of direct tests available to the veterinary clinical practice and attempted to identify possible risk factors associated with the parasite. Ten veterinary practices distributed throughout the municipality randomly performed the rapid SNAP ELISA test on canine faecal samples, and dog owners provided information specific to the animal via a questionnaire. The samples were also analysed using sucrose and zinc sulphate flotation techniques. Sensitivity and specificity of the tests were used to calculate required number of samples and true prevalence. Significance, agreement among tests, and odds ratio (OR) were assessed with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. The prevalence of G.duodenalis in dogs (n=265) was 6.9% (CI 3.47-11.21). Positive tests were significantly more frequent in animals younger than 1year, with an OR for G.duodenalis occurrence nearly 7-fold that of older dogs. Direct diagnosis tests showed high agreement (96.1%, κ=0.729; p<.0001) showing that the combined techniques provide a highly accurate diagnosis. Results indicated that the control of the pathogen has been improving in the pet dog population in metropolitan Sao Paulo, but management tools including diagnosis, immunization, and treatment, especially in puppies, must be continued in order to advance towards continuous decrease of the disease.

Characterizing Human-Dog Attachment Relationships in Foster and Shelter Environments as a Potential Mechanism for Achieving Mutual Wellbeing and Success.

Simple SummaryThe majority of research on attachment behavior in dogs has focused on the bonds between pet dogs and their owners. In this study, we examined attachment relationships between dogs living in animal shelters and foster homes and their temporary caregivers-shelter volunteers or foster volunteers, respectively. We also examined these results in relation to previously published data from pet dogs in order to contextualize our findings. Our findings indicate that the percentage of securely attached shelter dogs was significantly lower than that previously observed in scientific studies of the pet dog population. No differences were found between proportions of securely attached foster dogs and prior research with pets. We did not find significant differences between foster and shelter dogs in terms of attachment style proportions. We also found evidence of disinhibited attachment, which is associated with a lack of appropriate social responses with unfamiliar and familiar individuals in foster and shelter dogs. This is the first study to apply attachment theory to foster and shelter settings.This study aimed to characterize attachment relationships between humans and dogs living in animal shelters or foster homes, and to contextualize these relationships in the broader canine attachment literature. In this study, 21 pairs of foster dogs and foster volunteers and 31 pairs of shelter dogs and shelter volunteers participated. Each volunteer–dog dyad participated in a secure base test and a paired attachment test. All volunteers completed the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS), a survey designed to measure strength of attachment bonds as reported by humans. Although no significant differences were present in terms of proportions of insecure and secure attachments between foster and shelter populations, proportions in the shelter population were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the proportions of attachment styles that would be expected in a population of pet dogs based on the published literature on pet dog attachment styles. Additionally, findings are presented in relation to data from a paired attachment test that demonstrate foster and shelter dogs spend more time in proximity to humans when the human is actively attending to the dog and encouraging interaction, as would be expected based on previous studies. We also present findings related to the presence of disinhibited attachment (previously reported in children who spent a significant portion of time living in institutionalized settings) which is characterized by a lack of preferential proximity seeking with a familiar caregiver and excessive friendliness towards strangers in foster and shelter dogs.

Genetic and serologic surveillance of canine (CIV) and equine (EIV) influenza virus in Nuevo León State, México.

BackgroundDespite the uncontrolled distribution of the Influenza A virus through wild birds, the detection of canine influenza virus and equine influenza virus in Mexico was absent until now. Recently, outbreaks of equine and canine influenza have been reported around the world; the virus spreads quickly among animals and there is potential for zoonotic transmission.MethodsAmplification of the Influenza A virus matrix gene from necropsies, nasal and conjunctival swabs from trash service horses and pets/stray dogs was performed through RT-PCR. The seroprevalence was carried out through Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system using the M1 recombinant protein and polyclonal antibodies anti-M1.ResultsThe matrix gene was amplified from 13 (19.11%) nasal swabs, two (2.94%) conjunctival swabs and five (7.35%) lung necropsies, giving a total of 20 (29.41%) positive samples in a pet dog population. A total of six (75%) positive samples of equine nasal swab were amplified. Sequence analysis showed 96–99% identity with sequences of Influenza A virus matrix gene present in H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed higher identity with matrix gene sequences detected from zoonotic isolates of subtype H1N1/2009. The detection of anti-M1 antibodies in stray dogs showed a prevalence of 123 (100%) of the sampled population, whereas in horses, 114 (92.68%) positivity was obtained.ConclusionThe results unveil the prevalence of Influenza A virus in the population of horses and dogs in the state of Nuevo Leon, which could indicate a possible outbreak of equine and Canine Influenza in Mexico. We suggest that the prevalence of Influenza virus in companion animals be monitored to investigate its epizootic and zoonotic potential, in addition to encouraging the regulation of vaccination in these animal species in order to improve their quality of life.