Pet Dogs Research Articles

Assessing Whether Household Pets Buffer Responses to a Remote Stress Induction

ABSTRACT Interactions with pet animals such as dogs have been shown to have stress-buffering properties, reducing perceived experiences of stress and improving positive ratings of mood and affect. However, experimental evidence has only been demonstrated in novel laboratory environments, where a friendly pet might be a particularly salient stimulus, and to date has largely been restricted to pet dogs. It remains to be seen whether household pets are an effective source of buffering from acute stress within the home environment and whether pet cats may buffer their owners from acute stress. In this study, 191 university students who owned a dog or cat were randomly assigned to interact with them or not, before and after a novel, internet-delivered adaptation of the Trier Social Stress Test (iTSST). Stress responsivity was measured via self-reported stress and anxiety, as well as smartphone-collected photoplethysmography. Observer-coded interactions between owner and pet, owner-reported attitude toward their pet, and species of pet were examined as predictors of stress responsivity. Results indicated that, while interacting with a dog or cat assisted in recovery from the stressor, individuals who interacted with a pet cat demonstrated a blunted response to the iTSST. As well, occurrences of behaviors that were observed during an owner’s interaction with their pet dog or cat were similar before and after the iTSST, suggesting that these behaviors may be an expression of trait-like characteristics. These results suggest that more work is needed on the potential stress-buffering role of interactions with pet cats.

Impact of Treadmill Running on Circulating Cortisol Concentrations in Clinically Healthy Dogs

Basal cortisol concentration is used to screen for hypoadrenocorticism (HAD) in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease, but low values often lead to unnecessary ACTH stimulation tests. This study evaluated treadmill exercise as a potential alternative method for stimulating cortisol release. Nineteen healthy pet dogs (mean age: 5.2 years, median weight: 23.4 kg) were included. After a baseline blood draw (T0), dogs were acclimated to a treadmill with treats to minimize stress. They then walked and trotted for 10 min, followed by a 30 min rest before a second blood draw (T1). Pre- and post-treadmill exercise cortisol levels were compared using a randomization (permutation) test for paired data. Median pre-exercise serum cortisol was 1.36 μg/dL (IQR: 0.9–2.095), and post-exercise was 1.1 μg/dL (IQR: 0.895–1.585), with no significant difference (p = 0.0915). After exercise cortisol increased in 9 of 19 and decreased in 10 of 19 dogs. These findings suggest that treadmill exercise for 10 min does not reliably stimulate cortisol release, assessed 30 min post-exercise. Basal cortisol concentrations in this cohort of clinically healthy dogs were lower than previously described.

Dog Neuter, Yes or No? A Summary of the Motivations, Benefits, and Harms, with Special Emphasis on the Behavioral Aspect.

The decision to neuter pet dogs remains a significant and ongoing debate from ethical, animal health, and animal welfare perspectives. Millions of dogs worldwide are considered integral family members, and their behavior, as well as the bond they form with their owners, play a key role in the decision to keep them as pets. When behavioral problems arise, neutering is often viewed as a potential solution. However, by removing the source of sexual hormones, neutering creates the potential for both beneficial and harmful effects on a dog's health and behavior. It is crucial for society to rely on professionals to provide informed advice about whether and when the procedure should be performed on a pet, taking into account the unique risks and benefits of each individual case. Instead, the conclusions drawn from existing research-both in terms of behavior and health aspects-remain inconclusive and sometimes conflicting. Studies have reported higher risks for developing reproductive, urinary, metabolic, and musculoskeletal disorders in neutered dogs. Additionally, some studies suggest increases in stress, fear, anxiety, and even certain types of aggression following neutering. The limitations of current research, the subjectivity of pet owners' evaluations of their dogs' behaviors, the influence of various demographic factors, and the complex relationships between sex hormones and other hormones or neurotransmitters all contribute to the challenges in this field of study. Despite these complexities, they also offer promising avenues for future research. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various effects of neutering on dogs, with a particular focus on behavioral outcomes.

Targeted-Amplicon NGS for Blastocystis sp. in Shepherd Dogs of Portugal Discriminates Co-Colonization with Multiple Zoonotic Subtypes

Research on endoparasites in pet dogs has been growing, but shepherd dogs have largely been overlooked. These dogs frequently share close proximity not only with sheep, which are reservoirs of zoonotic subtypes of Blastocystis, but also with their owners. This close contact increases the potential for shepherd dogs to act as intermediates in the transmission of Blastocystis. To clarify the role of these dogs as reservoirs for this parasite, this study investigated the presence of Blastocystis in shepherd dogs. Stool samples from Portuguese shepherd dogs were analyzed using SYBR-Green-based real-time PCR and melting curve analysis followed by targeted-amplicon NGS for mixed infections detection. Our results revealed a 60% occurrence of Blastocystis sp. in shepherd dog stools and frequent identification of zoonotic subtypes ST1–ST4 and ST14. Additionally, we observed mixed infections and subtype diversity within individual dogs, suggesting a potential role in cross-species transmission between livestock and humans.

Repeated detection of SARS-CoV-2 in pet dogs in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria: a cause for vigilance

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 was unprecedented in its devastating impact on the global economy, public health, travel and tourism, education, sports, religion, and social lives. Studies conducted thereafter on the disease and its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, have highlighted the need for effective and sustainable public health interventions.MethodsThis study investigated the prevalence and endemicity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pet dogs using immunochromatography assay (IC) and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) of their blood, rectal swabs, and nasal swabs in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria between 2022 and 2024.Key findingsFor the IC, positivity rates of 11.7% (23/197), 85.7% (6/7), and 100% (3/3) were recorded for 2022, 2023 and 2024 while for the RT-qPCR, positivity rates of 37.9% (11/29), 33.3% (2/6) and 100% (3/3) were recorded for 2022, 2023 and 2024. This repeated detection of SARS-CoV-2 in three of the dogs tested over the three-year period suggests continuous shedding of the virus by these animals and indicates endemicity of the virus in the study area. Findings highlight the urgent need for optimized SARS-CoV-2 rapid diagnostic tools tailored for veterinary applications to ensure rapid and reliable detection of the virus, especially in resource-constrained settings.ConclusionConsidering the zoonotic nature of SARS-CoV-2 and its potential for mutation into more virulent strains that can be transmissible to humans, the findings of this study have significant implications for public health and implementation of One Health strategies by policymakers, and highlight the need for robust SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in domestic animals to mitigate potential zoonotic risks.

Dextromethorphan phenotyping of healthy pet dogs reveals breed-associated differences in cytochrome P450 2D15-mediated drug metabolism.

To determine the population variability in dextromethorphan metabolism by cytochrome (CY) P450 2D15 (CYP2D15) in dogs. Healthy pet dogs were recruited from 2018 through 2024 from the Inland Pacific Northwest and phenotyped by orally administering the Program in Individualized Medicine cocktail, which contains dextromethorphan, a CYP2D15-specific probe drug. Glucuronidase-treated urine samples collected 6 hours after dosing were assayed for dextromethorphan and dextrorphan concentrations. Log-transformed metabolic ratios of dextrorphan divided by dextromethorphan (DOR/DXM Log MRs) were calculated. Dogs were genotyped for 5 missense CYP2D15 variants. Univariate and multivariate statistical approaches were used to evaluate associations between DOR/DXM Log MRs and demographic variables. 105 dogs, including 34 mixed breeds and 71 dogs from 20 different owner-designated breeds, were enrolled and completed the study. There was a wide distribution of DOR/DXM Log MRs, from 0.97 to 2.76, representing a log unit range of 1.8 (63-fold variation DOR/DXM Log MRs). Log-transformed metabolic ratios of dextrorphan divided by dextromethorphan were normally distributed and unimodal. The mean (± SD) DOR/DXM Log MR was 2.04 ± 0.37. Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant association (R2 = 0.16) between DOR/DXM Log MRs and dog breed for Golden Retrievers (2.26 ± 0.29; N = 23) and Pugs (1.47 ± 0.29; N = 3). Log-transformed metabolic ratios of dextrorphan divided by dextromethorphan were not associated with dog sex, age, weight, or genotype. There is substantial variability in DOR/DXM Log MR values among individuals, which can be partially attributed to differences between breeds. These findings predict high variability in the metabolism of drugs by CYP2D15 associated with differences between dog breeds.

Co-Sleeping with a pet: exploring the impact on youth sleep.

Despite a rise in pet ownership and adult literature indicating pet co-sleeping may lead to disrupted sleep, limited research has evaluated the impact of youth co-sleeping with an animal. This study evaluated whether a pet in the bedroom affects youth sleep. 175 families completed measures of screen time, sleep problems, and parental sleep knowledge. Youth (M age = 9.51; 53.1% male) wore an ActiGraph and completed a sleep diary for 2 consecutive weeks. For youth who owned a pet dog, the dog wore an ActiGraph for the same 2 weeks. Youth were separated into 3 groups: those who slept with a pet on the bed, those with a pet in the room but not on the bed, and those with no pet in the bedroom. Results suggest that youth with a pet on the bed have a shorter sleep duration, lower efficiency, and longer sleep onset latency than youth without a pet in the bedroom. A pet on the bed explained unique variance in sleep efficiency, duration, and latency when accounting for factors previously shown to impact youth sleep. Awakenings and self-reported sleep problems did not differ between groups. In dyadic analyses (n = 43), dog movement 1 min prior predicted child movement at night. Results suggest that having a pet on the bed is associated with more restless and shorter sleep. Though results should be replicated, clinicians should begin assessing pet sleeping location when addressing sleep concerns and provide families with information about the potential impact of pets on sleep.

Malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in canine serum: establishing reference intervals and influencing factors

BackgroundMounting evidence suggests that malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) are valuable biomarkers of lipid and nucleic acid oxidation in numerous canine diseases. However, their application in clinical settings is limited due to the absence of reference intervals (RI) and the analytical inconsistencies. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize serum MDA and 8-OHdG concentrations in dogs, to establish assay-specific RI, and to identify biological, haematological and biochemical factors influencing these markers.MethodsA total of 190 clinically healthy dogs were recruited, including pet dogs, working dogs and shelter dogs. Serum MDA concentration was measured by the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) assay, while 8-OHdG levels were determined by using a competitive ELISA. RI were established by non-parametric methods. Potential associations between oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers and multiple biological, haematological and biochemical factors were assessed using multivariate regression models.ResultsRI for serum MDA (1.85–14.51 µM) and 8-OHdG (0.06–0.75 ng/mL) were established in the reference population (144 and 143 dogs, respectively). The multivariate regression model for MDA revealed a positive association with total cholesterol concentration, and a negative association with monocyte count. 8-OHdG level was positively associated with urea concentration. Notably, both models also revealed a significant association between MDA and 8-OHdG. Biological factors, including the age and size of the animals, did not exert a significant influence on the results.ConclusionsThis is the first study to establish serum RI for MDA and 8-OHdG in a large and diverse canine population. Additionally, the multivariate regression models identified relevant haematological and biochemical, but not biological factors that should be considered when interpreting the results. These findings could significantly enhance the application of MDA and 8-OHdG as biomarkers in clinical settings, and promote further exploration of their value in canine diseases.

New Hotspot of Pet Economy: Study of Consumers' Purchase Intent for Pet Toys in China

With the improvement of people's consumption levels and the increasing demand for emotional companionship, the status of pets in families has risen significantly. Some pet - owners affectionately call their pets "fur - kids", which reflects the care and attention they give to their pets. According to the China Pet Industry White Paper 2023 - 2024, the number of pet dogs and pet cats in China reached 51.75 million and 69.8 million respectively in 2023. Behind these huge numbers lies a pet consumption market with great potential, and pet toys, as an important part of the pet supplies market, have seen a growing consumption market year by year. This study aims to explore and analyze consumers' consumption intentions for pet toys. It mainly collects and analyzes multi - dimensional data such as consumers' basic information, performance expectations, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, consumption habits, and security through the method of distributing questionnaires. The study will also explore the impact of different age, gender, education, occupation and other social demographic characteristics on consumption intentions, so as to reveal the consumption trends and potential opportunities in the pet toy consumption market. This paper deeply analyzes various factors affecting consumers' consumption intentions for pet toys and puts forward many targeted improvement suggestions, hoping to provide some new inspiration for related enterprises, enabling them to better meet consumers' needs and jointly promote the healthy development of the pet consumption market.

Social Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Free-Roaming Cats and Dogs in Portugal: An Exploratory Study.

Free-roaming cats and dogs impact biodiversity, public health, and the welfare of other animals. Attitudes towards free-roaming animals can influence their population dynamics and management success. We conducted an online survey to evaluate social perceptions and attitudes towards free-roaming animals among self-selected Portuguese residents aged 18 or older with internet access. The survey focused on responsible ownership, perceptions and attitudes, and management practices, and allowed the collection and analysis of 1083 responses (607 for dogs and 476 for cats). Our results identified needs for improvement in pet ownership: increasing pet cat identification, reducing unsupervised outdoor access, and promoting pet dog sterilization. In terms of management strategies, we found strong support for trap-neuter-release, sheltering, sanctions on abandonment, and educational campaigns. We also found limited support for lethal control methods and fear of culling and long-term caging as barriers to reporting free-roaming animals. While our findings are based on a self-selected online sample, they establish a foundation for future research while also offering valuable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders.

First human case of infected lymphocele with bloodstream infection caused by Staphylococcus coagulans transmitted from a pet dog: a case report.

First human case of infected lymphocele with bloodstream infection caused by Staphylococcus coagulans transmitted from a pet dog: a case report.

Effects of pharmacopuncture with metamizole on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

To compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of metamizole injected at acupuncture points with intramuscular injection in dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. Prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled clinical study. Thirty-six healthy pet dogs. The anesthetic protocol included meperidine and dexmedetomidine, propofol, and isoflurane. Immediately after anesthetic induction and orotracheal intubation, dogs were randomly assigned to be given 25 mg kg-1 of metamizole, injected bilaterally at the acupuncture points Stomach 36, Spleen 6, and Liver 3 (AP-G, n= 12), intramuscularly (IM-G, n=12), or no metamizole treatment (Control-G, n= 12). In the AP-G, metamizole was diluted in saline solution to a final volume of 1.2 mL, and 0.2 mL was injected at each acupuncture point. Intraoperatively, intravenous fentanyl was given to control cardiovascular responses to nociception. Pain was assessed preoperatively, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours after extubation, using the short form of the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale (CMPS-SF). Morphine was given as rescue analgesia. Data were analyzed using the Fisher's exact test, Kaplan Meier curve, Tukey test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Friedman test (p < 0.05). Morphine was required in 16.6% (2/12), 50% (6/12), and 75% (8/12) of the dogs in the AP-G, IM-G, and Control-G, respectively, with significant differences recorded between AP-G and Control-G (p= 0.036). Lower CMPS-SF scores were recorded in the AP-G compared with the IM-G and Control-G from 1 to 4 hours (p= 0.001-0.003). Pharmacopuncture with metamizole provides similar levels of analgesia, as indicated by rescue analgesic requirement, as intramuscular metamizole in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. This technique may be considered as an adjunctive analgesic strategy for postoperative pain management.

Pet Industry Development Forecast Based on Gray GM (1, 1) Modeling

This study aims to forecast the development of China's pet industry based on a gray GM (1,1) model, focusing on the current state of the industry in the last five years and the global demand for pet food in the next three years. Through hierarchical analysis, this paper builds multiple models to capture market dynamics at different levels to enhance forecasting accuracy. The study shows that the popularity of pet cats continues to rise, while the pet dog market is becoming saturated, reflecting changes in consumer preferences. In forecasting the global demand for pet food, this study compares the annual growth rate and the average annual growth rate, utilizing the performance of the GM (1,1) model versus the NGM (1,1, k, c) model, and ultimately selects the model with better forecasting capabilities. The analysis shows that the global demand for pet food will continue to grow over the next three years, highlighting the potential and challenges of the pet food market. This study provides a scientific basis for strategy development in the pet industry through a gray forecasting methodology to cope with data uncertainty and changing market dynamics.

The pet prediction problem solved based on the Random Forest-ARIMA ensemble algorithm

With the enhancement of consumer awareness, the pet industry market size has been steadily increasing, becoming a leading emerging sector. As more people treat pets as family members, the demand for pet-related products and services continues to rise, making accurate forecasting of market trends essential for industry growth. This paper aims to explore the future development trends of the pet industry and formulate sustainable planning strategies by employing flexible prediction methods based on historical data. To address the research needs, this paper first utilizes Python-based web scraping techniques to deeply mine relevant industry data and compile an "initial dataset". This dataset, however, contains missing values, which are filled using the mode imputation method. Subsequently, the built-in find function in MATLAB is applied to traverse the dataset files and ensure that there are no outliers present. After processing the data, correlations between various indicators are examined, and relevant features are extracted for further analysis. To predict the number of pet cats and dogs in China over the next three years, a Random Forest-Multiple Linear Regression-ARIMA integrated model is constructed. The results from this model show that the pet cat population will be approximately 65 million, 57 million, and 90 million in the coming years, while the pet dog population will be around 52 million, 54 million, and 52 million. These predictions provide valuable insights into the future of the pet industry, helping businesses and policymakers plan and strategize for sustainable growth.

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Parasites in Humans and Pet Dogs in Rural Areas of Los Ríos Region, Southern Chile.

Parasitic infections pose a significant global health burden, affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite their importance, studies integrating human and animal parasitology to understand transmission pathways are scarce. This study, conducted between August 2022 and April 2023, aimed to investigate the prevalence of parasites in humans and domestic dogs in the Los Rios Region, southern Chile, and explore the risk factors associated with parasitism. A total of 291 human participants provided fecal and blood samples for parasitological and serological analyses, while 92 fecal samples from owned dogs were analyzed. The detection of intestinal parasites employed microscopy and molecular techniques, including next-generation sequencing (NGS). Anti-Toxocara canis and anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibodies in humans were assessed using ELISA. Socioeconomic surveys explored the risk factors associated with parasitism. The results showed a parasite prevalence of 39% in humans and 40% in dogs. Anti-Toxocara canis IgG antibodies were detected in 28.2% of humans. Zoonotic subtypes of Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. were identified. Thus, the results of our study indicate a high prevalence of intestinal and extraintestinal parasites in the human population of our region. Furthermore, our findings underscore the significant risk of zoonotic transmission of parasites from companion animals. This study contributes to the understanding of parasite transmission dynamics in southern Chile and has implications for public health policy and practice. The results emphasize the importance of considering the connection between human, animal, and environmental health to develop effective control strategies and mitigate the impact of parasitic infections.

Association of only-child status and household pet ownership with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among Chinese preschool children: a population-based study.

The associations of only-child status and household pet ownership with the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are inconclusive, and the joint effects of only-child status and household pet ownership on ADHD have not been thoroughly investigated. A population-based study was conducted in 2021 involving preschool children aged 3-6 years attending kindergartens in Longhua District, Shenzhen, China. Parents were invited to complete questionnaires providing information on socio-demographic and family-environmental factors. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the 26-item Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale as reported by parents. This study included 63,282 children (mean age: 4.86 ± 0.85 years, 53.6% boys), representing 72.6% of all preschool children in this district in 2021. Among them, 34.4% were only-child and 9.6% were identified as having ADHD. Only-child status was associated with an increased risk of ADHD [adjusted odds ratio: 1.30 (95%CI: 1.23-1.38). Compared to children without a pet (cats or dogs) at ages 0-3 years, pet ownership at ages only 0-1 year, only 1-3 years, and both ages were associated with increased odds of ADHD: 1.59 (1.30-1.95), 1.58 (1.28-1.93), and 1.66 (1.42-1.92), respectively, after controlling for potential confounders. A significant interaction between pet ownership at only 1-3 years and only-child status was observed (adjusted P for interaction = 0.028). Similar findings were observed when the analyses were performed separately for boys and girls. Both only-child status and household pet ownership are associated with an increased risk of ADHD; however, the detrimental effect of pet ownership appears to be mitigated among only children when pet exposure occurs at ages 1-3 years, providing new insight into reducing family-related risk factors of ADHD.

Pet Dog Choice in Hong Kong and Mainland China: Exploring Owners' Motivations, Behaviours, and Perceptions.

Dogs are among the most popular pets worldwide, and ownership is increasing in many regions. Responsible pet ownership positively impacts animal welfare, yet little is known about the drivers of pet choices or their regional variation. To address this knowledge gap, a structured online questionnaire was developed to investigate the motivations, behaviours, perceptions, and demography of owners acquiring dogs. Quality control measures included content validity evaluation by independent experts and back-translation to optimize semantics. Non-probability convenience and purposive sampling was used to recruit respondents through social media and interest groups. In total, 2036 eligible responses were received. Three out of four respondents were female, which is a pattern reported in other regions. Mixed-breed dogs were the most popular, representing around 40% of the total, and non-commercial sources, such as shelters, were the predominant source for new pets (65%). In stark contrast to the UK, USA, and parts of Europe, brachycephalic breeds were the least popular of the purebreds. Poodles were the most frequently owned purebred in both HKSAR and MC. "Companionship for humans" was the most common reason for acquiring a pet dog, and strong agreement with the statement "I consider my dog part of my family" was almost universal (99%). Over half of respondents carried out no research before they acquired their dog (55%), and veterinary professionals were the least frequent resource used by the remainder. Our study reveals commonalities with other regions in drivers for, and perceptions of, pet dogs. Encouragingly from an animal welfare perspective, brachycephalic breeds were the least preferred type. Investigation of the drivers of this observation may be useful to encourage the acquisition of non-brachycephalic dogs in other regions. Overall, our study provides preliminary but valuable insights for developing targeted programs promoting responsible ownership in the region to enhance the well-being of both humans and dogs.

Fecal bacterial microbiota diversity characterized for dogs with atopic dermatitis: its alteration and clinical recovery after meat-exclusion diet.

To achieve clinical recovery in canine atopic dermatitis affected pet dogs via alteration of the gut microbiome, following a meat and egg exclusion diet for 60 days. 24 atopic dermatitis-affected pet dogs, all fed poultry meat and egg, and another 48 apparently healthy controls fed both poultry meat and egg (n = 24) or vegetable diet (24) were included in the study. The study was undertaken in the Bhubaneswar Smart City, Odisha, India, from July to December 2023. Fecal samples were collected at 2 points for DNA analysis, ie, on day 0 and day 60 of the change from a meat/egg-based diet to a vegetable-based diet. Extracted DNA samples were pooled category-wise and subjected to the gut microbiome analysis in the Nanopore sequencer targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Burrows-Wheeler Transform, Ferragina-Manzini index, and Krona charts were used for taxonomical classification and visualization of relative abundances of bacterial species within the metagenome. Alpha- and beta-diversity analyses were performed. Atopic pets at day 0 showed elevation in the gut microbiome population with an adequate concentration of pathogens like Escherichia coli and Clostridiodes difficile with lower amounts of the beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus sp, while the pets at 60 days after dietary intervention showed a significant decline in bacterial species like E coli and C difficile with higher amount of Lactobacillus sp. Both control groups showed variations of microbiome between them as well as from the atopic pets. We found a close association of poultry meat/egg diet with gut microbiome population and atopic symptoms as well in dogs, and elimination of such diet could be helpful in clinical recovery. Dietary intervention with the exclusion of potential allergens from poultry meat and egg sources can be an effective approach for the management of canine atopic dermatitis.

Impact of trainability on telomere dynamics of pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris): An explorative study in aging dogs.

This research studied the impact of various factors (including social and physiological parameters) on telomere dynamics in pet dogs. Telomeres, essential for maintaining genomic integrity, undergo shortening with each cell division, leading to cellular senescence. Previous studies in humans have linked cognitive and social factors with telomere dynamics but in animals, such associations remain understudied. This study is based on a previous study, where behavioral and cognitive changes in aging pet dogs were investigated. Together with standard variables (sex, age, body weight, diet), behavioral predictors that were assessed in the "Modified Vienna Canine Cognitive Battery" were used. This study aimed to investigate the influence of these factors on telomere dynamics in aging pet dogs. The relative telomere length of 63 dogs was measured, using a qPCR method and a model selection approach was applied to assess which variables can explain the found telomere patterns. Results revealed a strong association of the behavioral factor called trainability and telomere change. Trainability was the best predictor for telomere change over time and was the only predictor having a relative variable importance (RVI) above 0.7. This finding suggests that higher trainability positively affects telomere dynamics in aging dogs and factors like age, sex, diet, and other cognitive parameters are less important. The study sheds light on the potential role of cognitive factors in canine aging and offers insights into improving the quality of life for aging dogs, but further research is needed to comprehensively understand the interplay between behavior, cognition, and telomere dynamics in dogs.

A One Health Perspective on the Resurgence of Flea-Borne Typhus in Texas in the 21st Century: Part 1: The Bacteria, the Cat Flea, Urbanization, and Climate Change.

Flea-borne typhus (FBT), due to Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, is an infection typically causing fever, headache, rash, hepatitis, and thrombocytopenia. About one quarter of patients suffer pulmonary, neurologic, hematologic, renal, hepatic, cardiac, ocular or other complications. In the 21st century, the incidence of FBT has increased in both Texas and California compared to the 1990s. In this paper, county-level epidemiological data for the number of cases of FBT occurring in Texas for two decades, 1990-1999 and 2010-2019, were compared with respect to county of residence, urbanization, and climatic region. Human population growth in Texas has promoted FBT by increased urbanization and the abundance of pet dogs and cats, stray/feral dogs and cats, and opossums. Increasing temperatures in Texas in the new millennium have increased the flea-borne transmission of FBT by promoting host infestation and flea feeding and defecation, accelerating the flea life cycle, and increasing rickettsial replication within the flea. Increased numbers of opossums and stray cats and dogs in the urban/suburban landscape have increased the risk of flea transfer to humans and their pets.