- Email: [email protected]
A meta-analysis of salivary cortisol measurement in domestic canines
Abstracts / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 9 (2014) e1ee19
test e exploratory activity e was significant. Specific behavior traits can hardly be predicted from early tests. Key words: dogs Canis familiaris; behavioral assessments; longitudinal; predictive value; behavioral consistency
31 Canine stress physiology and coping styles in kennels MIA COBB 1, *, ALAN LILL 2, PAULEEN BENNETT 3 1 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800 Australia 2 School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800 Australia 3 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Science, La trobe University, Bendigo VIC 3522 Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] The welfare status of dogs housed in kennel facilities for shelter, working and laboratory purposes has been the subject of a large body of research. Many studies rely on a combination of behavioral observations and physiological markers. Results are often reported in group means, but researchers acknowledge a high level of interand intra-individual variation in physiological results. This study used multiple physiological measures to track the response of a group of dogs entering a kennel facility and examine them for evidence of different individual coping styles. Physiological measures of salivary cortisol, salivary IgA and blood neutrophil: lymphocyte ratios were collected from 75 dogs undergoing assessment for suitability for guide dog training. Initial samples were collected at the puppy raiser’s home. Five subsequent samples were taken after arrival at the kennel facility. All physiological measures varied significantly between the home and initial kennel sample, and fluctuated during the first 16 days on-site, suggesting a stress response to the change of physical and social environment. The various physiological measures showed different sensitivities and patterns over the duration of the study, representing assorted patterns of stress response. Intra- and inter-individual differences over time can be complex and difficult to interpret, so coping styles used by individual dogs are not always acknowledged in studies using only group averages. Group-based trajectory analysis is used in human health research to offer better insight into such trends within a group. This is pertinent to the design of future studies using physiological markers to assess canine welfare. Careful monitoring of individual dogs may be required to optimize training outcomes and welfare objectives. Key words: dog; welfare; stress; physiology; coping
32 Perceived welfare status of domestic dogs MIA COBB 1, *, ALAN LILL 2, PAULEEN BENNETT 3 1 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia 2 School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia 3 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Science, La trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3522, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Animal welfare is an increasingly important consideration for the sustainability of industries utilizing animals. Domestic dogs are currently used in a wide range of roles, including companion, protection, stock herding, detection, assistance and sporting contexts. Perceptions and attitudes determine human behavior towards animals, and human behavior governs the welfare of animals in our care. It is important for dog industry stakeholders to understand the perceptions of the general public, plus those of primary care givers, facility managers and dog trainers. This study assessed whether the welfare status of dogs is considered important to stakeholders and if
e11
the perceived level of welfare varied with dog role and respondent familiarity with the industry. An internet-based questionnaire was distributed using social media platforms and was completed by 2,147 self-selected voluntary adult participants from a number of countries and by a range of stakeholders with varied experience. Perceived welfare status of dogs varied significantly across the 17 dog roles from very low (fighting dogs) to very high (guide dogs), and were generally consistent across stakeholder and demographic groups. People in roles of influence (caretakers, trainers) sometimes showed small, but statistically significant differences of opinion. However, in some cases (e.g. racing greyhound), the significant (P<0.01) The significant difference in perception between animal attendants and facility managers in certain cases (racing greyhounds) could highlight areas of discordance where further training in animal care might benefit both staff and welfare. Ninety-five percent of respondents agreed that canine welfare very important to them. As the welfare status of animals receives more attention, animal welfare research is likely to be key to the sustainability of using dogs in these contexts. Key words: dog; welfare; attitudes; working dogs; sustainability
33 Stress in shelter dogs and the use of foster care to improve animal welfare A. FEHRINGER 1, N.A. DRESCHEL 1, * 1 Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 324 Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA *Corresponding author: [email protected] The experience of living in a shelter can lead to stress and behavioral problems in dogs. To improve welfare and increase adoption rates, many shelters work to reduce stress. One increasingly popular intervention is a foster care program, which allows an animal to live at home with a shelter volunteer until it is adopted into a permanent home. This study investigated the effect on salivary cortisol of shelter dogs entering a foster home. Saliva was collected for cortisol analysis from 40 dogs entering a shelter, then from 11 of the same dogs when placed in a foster home. Collection occurred within 3 days, followed by weekly sampling for one month, in each living situation. Samples were analyzed for cortisol concentration using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Health and behavior measures were also noted. Salivary cortisol levels over the first three days were significantly lower in the foster home situation compared to the shelter situation. Dogs who had lived in more than one home prior to shelter entry had lower cortisol levels in the shelter than those who had previously lived in only one home. No other effects of dog origin or shelter housing conditions on cortisol concentrations were seen. No correlations between fecal consistency or eating habits and salivary cortisol concentrations were noted. The implementation of foster care programs in animal shelters could be an effective way to reduce stress in shelter pets. In this study, eating behavior and fecal consistency were not indicators of high cortisol level. Key words: dog; shelter; stress; salivary cortisol; foster
34 A meta-analysis of salivary cortisol measurement in domestic canines NANCY A. DRESCHEL 1, *, MIA COBB 2, KHALED ISKANDARANI 3, VERNON M. CHINCHILLI 3 1 Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA 2 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia 3 Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033-0855, USA *Corresponding author: [email protected]
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Abstracts / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 9 (2014) e1ee19
Salivary cortisol is widely used as an indicator of stress and welfare in canine research, but much remains unclear about the basic features of this hormone marker in domestic dogs. This meta-analysis characterized a reference range for salivary cortisol in dogs, and examined population effects and experimental considerations on cortisol concentrations. Literature databases and conference proceedings from 1992-2012 were systematically reviewed and identified 62 peer-reviewed studies utilizing domestic dog salivary cortisol. Researchers were contacted via email and 31 raw data sets with a total of 5,120 samples from 1,196 dogs were shared. Metaanalysis indicated that the cortisol range was 0-33.79 mg/dL (mean 0.66 mg/dL, SEM 0.222). Significant effects were found for gender and neuter status, age, time of day, living environment, time in environment, testing environment, owner presence during testing, and collection media. Significant effects were not found for breed, weight, dog type, coat color, assay type, exercise, eating, or use of salivary stimulant. Care should be taken when using cortisol studies on dogs at a group or population level as there is a large amount of intra- and inter-individual variability. External variables can influence salivary cortisol concentration. This analysis highlights the importance of carefully controlling experimental design in order to compare samples within and between individual dogs, in addition to establishing and using best practices for saliva collection. Caution should be exercised in comparing different studies, as the results could be to factors other than those studied. Key words: dog; salivary cortisol; stress; welfare; meta-analysis
35 Collaboration improves dog management and welfare in tiwi islands WENDY BROWN 1, *, BROOKE KENNEDY 1, JAN ALLEN 2, STEPHEN CUTTER 2,3, ROSANNA DE SANTIS 4 1 University of New England, School of Environmental and Rural Science, Armidale NSW, Australia 2 AMRRIC e Animal Management in Rural & Remote Indigenous Communities, www.amrric.org 3 Ark Animal Hospital, Palmerston NT, Australia www.thearkvet.com 4 Tiwi Islands Regional Council, PO Box 104, Parap NT, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Dog management in remote Aboriginal communities is challenging. Geographical isolation results in limited access to veterinary care, language and cultural barriers that may lead to misunderstanding, and poor relations result from the implemention of non-consensual dog control programs. In response to these needs and challenges, Animal Management in Rural & Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC) facilitates culturally-sensitive dog health programs to improve animal health and well-being, and provides resources and training to ensure their sustainability. With increasing demand for such programs, new initiatives and approaches are needed to enable expansion of programs into the increasing number of communities that request them. In 2012, a remote community in Tiwi Islands was identified as a community in need of support. There was a large population of free-roaming dogs, many in poor health. With no resident veterinarian and a limited capacity to fund additional visiting veterinary services, the Tiwi Islands Regional Council accepted an offer from the University of New England (UNE) to support an annual AMRRIC efacilitated de-sexing and parasite-control program in which UNE students would participate. After 2 years a significant improvement in animal health and stabilization of the dog population had occurred. A recent evaluation revealed that 86% of the dogs had no visible signs of mange, only 2% were underweight, and 68% of the dogs were de-sexed compared with an original de-sexing rate of 30%. The importance of respecting community values and cultural beliefs when implementing a dog health program across two cultures cannot be overemphasized. An
important factor in the success of this collaboration has been the willingness of Tiwi community members to participate and share local culture and customs. Tiwi island dogs have been the main beneficiaries of this collaborative program, but UNE staff and students have also benefited greatly from the cross-cultural interactions. Key words: dog management; welfare; health; indigenous culture; collaboration
36 Signaling systems in australian wild dogs: Who’s calling and who cares? HUW NOLAN 1, *, WENDY BROWN 1, GUY BALLARD 2, PAUL MCDONALD 1 1 School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia 2 New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Armidale, NSW, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Alarm and distress vocalizations are important anti-predator strategies for many species. An alarm call is a particular vocal response to potential or actual danger, whereas a distress call is an involuntary emotional response to a similar situation and/or stimuli. Alarm and distress calls are often associated with prey species. Australian wild dogs (dingoes, feral dogs and their hybrids) have been observed utilizing similar strategies in response to intense human interactions. We analyzed the spectral (frequency and amplitude shifts) and temporal (call length) components of vocalizations recorded from trapped wild dogs and compared these to vocalizations from captive individuals under non-stressful situations. (i) Vocal responses to trapping are not restricted to distress calls. (ii) The structure of wild dog vocalizations differs across sites, suggesting local dialects or individual differences exist. (iii) Age and social status may affect the type of call elicited by an individual. Understanding the differences in vocalizations of wild dogs in varying environments is vital to the success of remote acoustic monitoring endeavors and to the improvement of wildlife management as a proxy for individual stress. Understanding how vocal communication varies across groups will aid in understanding the evolution of the dingo. Key words: Canidae; dingo; vocalization; welfare; conservation management
37 Intraspecific attachment in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): does it differ from young adults to adults? B. CARLONE*, E. RICCI, E. VOTTA, A. GAZZANO, G. GUARDINI, C. MARITI Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2 e 56124 Pisa, Italy *Corresponding author: [email protected] Dogs are known to form strong relationships towards subjects of their own kind and of other species. This research assessed whether age affects intraspecific attachment bonds in female dogs. Fifteen female dogs participated in the study: 7 young adults (between 12 and 24 months of age) and 8 adults (more than 24 months old). Their behavior was analyzed in a modified version of the Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Test, consisting of seven 2-minute episodes in which the presumed attachment figure was played by a conspecific living in the same household. Two social behaviors (physical contact and proximity towards the other dog/stranger) and 5 non-social behaviors (exploration, locomotion, whining, staying close to the door, and behaviors directed to the door) were observed in all 7 episodes. The only statistically significant
test e exploratory activity e was significant. Specific behavior traits can hardly be predicted from early tests. Key words: dogs Canis familiaris; behavioral assessments; longitudinal; predictive value; behavioral consistency
31 Canine stress physiology and coping styles in kennels MIA COBB 1, *, ALAN LILL 2, PAULEEN BENNETT 3 1 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800 Australia 2 School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800 Australia 3 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Science, La trobe University, Bendigo VIC 3522 Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] The welfare status of dogs housed in kennel facilities for shelter, working and laboratory purposes has been the subject of a large body of research. Many studies rely on a combination of behavioral observations and physiological markers. Results are often reported in group means, but researchers acknowledge a high level of interand intra-individual variation in physiological results. This study used multiple physiological measures to track the response of a group of dogs entering a kennel facility and examine them for evidence of different individual coping styles. Physiological measures of salivary cortisol, salivary IgA and blood neutrophil: lymphocyte ratios were collected from 75 dogs undergoing assessment for suitability for guide dog training. Initial samples were collected at the puppy raiser’s home. Five subsequent samples were taken after arrival at the kennel facility. All physiological measures varied significantly between the home and initial kennel sample, and fluctuated during the first 16 days on-site, suggesting a stress response to the change of physical and social environment. The various physiological measures showed different sensitivities and patterns over the duration of the study, representing assorted patterns of stress response. Intra- and inter-individual differences over time can be complex and difficult to interpret, so coping styles used by individual dogs are not always acknowledged in studies using only group averages. Group-based trajectory analysis is used in human health research to offer better insight into such trends within a group. This is pertinent to the design of future studies using physiological markers to assess canine welfare. Careful monitoring of individual dogs may be required to optimize training outcomes and welfare objectives. Key words: dog; welfare; stress; physiology; coping
32 Perceived welfare status of domestic dogs MIA COBB 1, *, ALAN LILL 2, PAULEEN BENNETT 3 1 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia 2 School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia 3 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Science, La trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3522, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Animal welfare is an increasingly important consideration for the sustainability of industries utilizing animals. Domestic dogs are currently used in a wide range of roles, including companion, protection, stock herding, detection, assistance and sporting contexts. Perceptions and attitudes determine human behavior towards animals, and human behavior governs the welfare of animals in our care. It is important for dog industry stakeholders to understand the perceptions of the general public, plus those of primary care givers, facility managers and dog trainers. This study assessed whether the welfare status of dogs is considered important to stakeholders and if
e11
the perceived level of welfare varied with dog role and respondent familiarity with the industry. An internet-based questionnaire was distributed using social media platforms and was completed by 2,147 self-selected voluntary adult participants from a number of countries and by a range of stakeholders with varied experience. Perceived welfare status of dogs varied significantly across the 17 dog roles from very low (fighting dogs) to very high (guide dogs), and were generally consistent across stakeholder and demographic groups. People in roles of influence (caretakers, trainers) sometimes showed small, but statistically significant differences of opinion. However, in some cases (e.g. racing greyhound), the significant (P<0.01) The significant difference in perception between animal attendants and facility managers in certain cases (racing greyhounds) could highlight areas of discordance where further training in animal care might benefit both staff and welfare. Ninety-five percent of respondents agreed that canine welfare very important to them. As the welfare status of animals receives more attention, animal welfare research is likely to be key to the sustainability of using dogs in these contexts. Key words: dog; welfare; attitudes; working dogs; sustainability
33 Stress in shelter dogs and the use of foster care to improve animal welfare A. FEHRINGER 1, N.A. DRESCHEL 1, * 1 Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 324 Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA *Corresponding author: [email protected] The experience of living in a shelter can lead to stress and behavioral problems in dogs. To improve welfare and increase adoption rates, many shelters work to reduce stress. One increasingly popular intervention is a foster care program, which allows an animal to live at home with a shelter volunteer until it is adopted into a permanent home. This study investigated the effect on salivary cortisol of shelter dogs entering a foster home. Saliva was collected for cortisol analysis from 40 dogs entering a shelter, then from 11 of the same dogs when placed in a foster home. Collection occurred within 3 days, followed by weekly sampling for one month, in each living situation. Samples were analyzed for cortisol concentration using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Health and behavior measures were also noted. Salivary cortisol levels over the first three days were significantly lower in the foster home situation compared to the shelter situation. Dogs who had lived in more than one home prior to shelter entry had lower cortisol levels in the shelter than those who had previously lived in only one home. No other effects of dog origin or shelter housing conditions on cortisol concentrations were seen. No correlations between fecal consistency or eating habits and salivary cortisol concentrations were noted. The implementation of foster care programs in animal shelters could be an effective way to reduce stress in shelter pets. In this study, eating behavior and fecal consistency were not indicators of high cortisol level. Key words: dog; shelter; stress; salivary cortisol; foster
34 A meta-analysis of salivary cortisol measurement in domestic canines NANCY A. DRESCHEL 1, *, MIA COBB 2, KHALED ISKANDARANI 3, VERNON M. CHINCHILLI 3 1 Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA 2 Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia 3 Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033-0855, USA *Corresponding author: [email protected]
e12
Abstracts / Journal of Veterinary Behavior 9 (2014) e1ee19
Salivary cortisol is widely used as an indicator of stress and welfare in canine research, but much remains unclear about the basic features of this hormone marker in domestic dogs. This meta-analysis characterized a reference range for salivary cortisol in dogs, and examined population effects and experimental considerations on cortisol concentrations. Literature databases and conference proceedings from 1992-2012 were systematically reviewed and identified 62 peer-reviewed studies utilizing domestic dog salivary cortisol. Researchers were contacted via email and 31 raw data sets with a total of 5,120 samples from 1,196 dogs were shared. Metaanalysis indicated that the cortisol range was 0-33.79 mg/dL (mean 0.66 mg/dL, SEM 0.222). Significant effects were found for gender and neuter status, age, time of day, living environment, time in environment, testing environment, owner presence during testing, and collection media. Significant effects were not found for breed, weight, dog type, coat color, assay type, exercise, eating, or use of salivary stimulant. Care should be taken when using cortisol studies on dogs at a group or population level as there is a large amount of intra- and inter-individual variability. External variables can influence salivary cortisol concentration. This analysis highlights the importance of carefully controlling experimental design in order to compare samples within and between individual dogs, in addition to establishing and using best practices for saliva collection. Caution should be exercised in comparing different studies, as the results could be to factors other than those studied. Key words: dog; salivary cortisol; stress; welfare; meta-analysis
35 Collaboration improves dog management and welfare in tiwi islands WENDY BROWN 1, *, BROOKE KENNEDY 1, JAN ALLEN 2, STEPHEN CUTTER 2,3, ROSANNA DE SANTIS 4 1 University of New England, School of Environmental and Rural Science, Armidale NSW, Australia 2 AMRRIC e Animal Management in Rural & Remote Indigenous Communities, www.amrric.org 3 Ark Animal Hospital, Palmerston NT, Australia www.thearkvet.com 4 Tiwi Islands Regional Council, PO Box 104, Parap NT, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Dog management in remote Aboriginal communities is challenging. Geographical isolation results in limited access to veterinary care, language and cultural barriers that may lead to misunderstanding, and poor relations result from the implemention of non-consensual dog control programs. In response to these needs and challenges, Animal Management in Rural & Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC) facilitates culturally-sensitive dog health programs to improve animal health and well-being, and provides resources and training to ensure their sustainability. With increasing demand for such programs, new initiatives and approaches are needed to enable expansion of programs into the increasing number of communities that request them. In 2012, a remote community in Tiwi Islands was identified as a community in need of support. There was a large population of free-roaming dogs, many in poor health. With no resident veterinarian and a limited capacity to fund additional visiting veterinary services, the Tiwi Islands Regional Council accepted an offer from the University of New England (UNE) to support an annual AMRRIC efacilitated de-sexing and parasite-control program in which UNE students would participate. After 2 years a significant improvement in animal health and stabilization of the dog population had occurred. A recent evaluation revealed that 86% of the dogs had no visible signs of mange, only 2% were underweight, and 68% of the dogs were de-sexed compared with an original de-sexing rate of 30%. The importance of respecting community values and cultural beliefs when implementing a dog health program across two cultures cannot be overemphasized. An
important factor in the success of this collaboration has been the willingness of Tiwi community members to participate and share local culture and customs. Tiwi island dogs have been the main beneficiaries of this collaborative program, but UNE staff and students have also benefited greatly from the cross-cultural interactions. Key words: dog management; welfare; health; indigenous culture; collaboration
36 Signaling systems in australian wild dogs: Who’s calling and who cares? HUW NOLAN 1, *, WENDY BROWN 1, GUY BALLARD 2, PAUL MCDONALD 1 1 School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia 2 New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Armidale, NSW, Australia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Alarm and distress vocalizations are important anti-predator strategies for many species. An alarm call is a particular vocal response to potential or actual danger, whereas a distress call is an involuntary emotional response to a similar situation and/or stimuli. Alarm and distress calls are often associated with prey species. Australian wild dogs (dingoes, feral dogs and their hybrids) have been observed utilizing similar strategies in response to intense human interactions. We analyzed the spectral (frequency and amplitude shifts) and temporal (call length) components of vocalizations recorded from trapped wild dogs and compared these to vocalizations from captive individuals under non-stressful situations. (i) Vocal responses to trapping are not restricted to distress calls. (ii) The structure of wild dog vocalizations differs across sites, suggesting local dialects or individual differences exist. (iii) Age and social status may affect the type of call elicited by an individual. Understanding the differences in vocalizations of wild dogs in varying environments is vital to the success of remote acoustic monitoring endeavors and to the improvement of wildlife management as a proxy for individual stress. Understanding how vocal communication varies across groups will aid in understanding the evolution of the dingo. Key words: Canidae; dingo; vocalization; welfare; conservation management
37 Intraspecific attachment in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): does it differ from young adults to adults? B. CARLONE*, E. RICCI, E. VOTTA, A. GAZZANO, G. GUARDINI, C. MARITI Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2 e 56124 Pisa, Italy *Corresponding author: [email protected] Dogs are known to form strong relationships towards subjects of their own kind and of other species. This research assessed whether age affects intraspecific attachment bonds in female dogs. Fifteen female dogs participated in the study: 7 young adults (between 12 and 24 months of age) and 8 adults (more than 24 months old). Their behavior was analyzed in a modified version of the Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Test, consisting of seven 2-minute episodes in which the presumed attachment figure was played by a conspecific living in the same household. Two social behaviors (physical contact and proximity towards the other dog/stranger) and 5 non-social behaviors (exploration, locomotion, whining, staying close to the door, and behaviors directed to the door) were observed in all 7 episodes. The only statistically significant