A Review of Medical Conditions and Behavioral Problems in Dogs and Cats

Behavioral problems and medical conditions have been treated separately for years. However, behavior depends directly on an animal's health condition, and vice versa. Some behavioral problems are caused totally or partially by a medical condition. Additionally, some of these problems represent a diagnostic challenge for veterinarians because, in many cases, apart from behavioral changes, there are no other clinical signs or evidence of illness. Improving our knowledge of the most common medical problems that can modify behavior may help veterinarians to improve their diagnostic protocols and treatments. Based on our experience, most relevant medical conditions are some neurological problems, endocrine or metabolic problems, and pain-related conditions. Thus, the aims of this review are to describe the state of the art of the relationship between these medical conditions (among others) and behavioral problems, and proposing new lines of investigation. Not all animals behave identically when faced with the same situation. These individual differences in the expression of their behavior could be due to many factors, including medical conditions. These medical problems can change behavior directly or indirectly. The aims of this review are to describe the state of the art of the relationship among some medical and behavioral problems, and to propose new lines of investigation. The revision is focused on the relation between behavioral problems and pain, endocrine diseases, neurological problems, vomeronasal organ alterations, and cardiac disorders. These problems represent a diagnostic challenge from a practical point of view. The most common sign of pain in animals is a change in behavior. Although the relation of pain to behavioral problems has been widely studied, it is not absolutely clear. As an example, the relation between sleep disorders and pain is poorly known in veterinary medicine. New studies in humans and laboratory animals show that a reciprocal relationship does, in fact, exist. More specifically, the literature suggests that the temporal effect of sleep deprivation on pain may be stronger than that of pain on sleep. Some behavioral problems could modify the sleep-awake cycle (e.g., cognitive dysfunction). The impact of these behavioral problems on pain perception is completely unknown in dogs and cats. Thyroid hormones play an important role, regarding behavioral control. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been related to behavioral changes. Concerning hypothyroidism, this relationship remains controversial. Nonetheless, new neuro-imaging studies provide objective evidence that brain structure and function are altered in hypothyroid patients, both in laboratory animals and in humans. There are many neurological problems that could potentially change behavior. This paper reviews those neurological problems that could lead to behavioral changes without modifying neurological examination. The most common problems are tumors that affect central nervous system silent zones, mild traumatic brain injury, ischemic attacks, and epilepsy. Most of these diseases and their relationship to behavior are poorly studied in dogs and cats. To better understand the pathophysiology of all of these problems, and their relation to behavioral problems, may change the diagnostic protocol of behavioral problems

Preliminary findings on the effect of the pig appeasing pheromone in a slow releasing block on the welfare of pigs at weaning

The pig appeasing pheromone (PAP) applied in spray has shown to be effective in reducing the frequency of aggression and the stress response of young and adult pigs under experimental conditions. This preliminary experiment investigates the effect of the PAP in a slow releasing block on the behaviour and skin lesions of weaners after mixing on a commercial farm. Two identical rooms containing six replicates per treatment of a commercial weaner building were used. There were two treatments (PAP block and Control) and each room contained one treatment. In the PAP treatment, the day before weaning and after washing and disinfection, two PAP blocks (1 block / 20 m 2) were placed hanging on top of the pens. Six hours after mixing, there was a significant effect of the PAP block treatment on the occurrence of social negative behaviour (PAP mean; median [95 % CI] for median = 3.6; 2.7 [1.5-5.4] % vs. Control 8.3; 8.7 [6.1-11.3] % P = 0.003, social positive behaviour (PAP 5.5; 5.1 [4.5-6.8] % vs. Control 1.4; 1.3 [0-2.8] % P = 0.02), feeding (PAP 9.1; 7.4 [5.5-16.5] % vs. Control 1.6; 0.0 [0-6.1] % P = 0.02, drinking (PAP 3.1; 2.9 [2.5-3.9] % vs. Control 0.8; 0.5 [0-1.7] % P = 0.04) as well as on the sitting position (PAP 1.2; 0.9 [0-2.4] % vs. Control 4.1; 4.2 [2.1-6.0] % P = 0.02). Except for social positive behaviour (PAP 5.6; 6.0 [3.9-7.5] % vs. Control 2.9; 2.8 [1.6-4.2] % P = 0.02) those differences were not significant 24 h post-mixing anymore. The prevalence of wounded animals was not significantly different between treatments. The PAP in block form may be a promising tool to reduce food neophobia and aggression after mixing. Still, further research is needed to increase the effect of the PAP block over time under commercial farming conditions

A case of spongiform polioencephalomyelopathy in a cat with a history of behavioural problems

A 7-month-old, entire female, domestic shorthair cat was referred to our behavioural service owing to soiling in the house and a play-related problem. The owners' complaints were that the cat had never used the litter tray, and it did not know how to play. After reviewing the behavioural history, a problem of substrate preferences acquisition was suspected with regard to the elimination problem. During the consultation, the physical examination was unremarkable, but the neurological examination revealed a moderate and hypermetric ataxic gait, and a bilateral lack of menace response. Some degree of visual impairment was suspected. The problem was located in the central nervous system (CNS); specifically, an intracranial and multifocal problem was diagnosed. After a complete work-up (complete ophthalmological examination, complete blood count and a complete biochemistry panel, feline immunodeficiency virus/feline leukaemia virus test, thorax radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, brain magnetic resonance imaging [0.2 T], cerebrospinal fluid analysis and a urinary metabolic screen test), a degenerative CNS problem was suspected. No treatment was prescribed for the neurological problem. Regarding the problem of soiling in the house, reward-based training with a clicker was used, and the cat partially improved in a few weeks. Three months later, the cat was referred to the neurology service in status epilepticus. A symptomatic treatment was prescribed, with a mild response. After 2 years of treatment and a progressive worsening, the cat was euthanased. Necropsy revealed spongiform polioencephalomyelopathy. In order to rule out prion aetiology a PrPsc inmunohistochemistry assay was performed, and the results were negative. Congenital spongiform polioencephalomyelopathy (CSP) was diagnosed. We strongly suggest that the cat's behavioural clinical signs were caused by the CSP, causing learning impairment. To the best of our knowledge, this would be the first case in which a congenital degenerative disease affected a cat's capability to learn, leading to behavioural signs as the main complaint of the owners, even before neurological signs are detected by the owners

Compartir ideas, la universidad va al instituto. Análisis de la primera edición de un proyecto de aprendizaje servicio transversal a la Universidad de Barcelona

Esta comunicación presenta las principales claves de análisis y evaluación de la 1a edición del proyecto Compartir Ideas. La Universidad va al instituto. Este es un proyecto de aprendizaje servicio transversal que consiste en un ciclo de conferencias-taller impartidas por estudiantes de la UB sobre temes de interés general relacionados con sus estudios. El objetivo es compartir conocimientos y conversar sobre un tema que la universidad trabaja y que será relevante para la formación del alumnado de secundaria.El proyecto cuenta con el apoyo del Vicerectorado de Política Docente y Lingüística de la Universitat de Barcelona

Compartir ideas. La Universidad va al Instituto: un proyecto de aprendizaje- servicio transversal de la Universidad de Barcelona

Compartir ideas. La universidad va al instituto es un proyecto de aprendizaje servicio transversal de la Universidad de Barcelona. Este representa una propuesta de aprendizaje servicio que bajo una estructura común permite la participación de estudiantes y profesorado de distintas disciplinas en un mismo proyecto. El aprendizaje servicio (ApS) es una propuesta formativa que permite el desarrollo de diferentes tipos de aprendizajes a partir de la implicación en necesidades sociales reales con la intención de transformarlas (Tapia, 2001; Martínez, 2008; Puig, 2009). En este tipo de proyectos están presentes simultáneamente la intencionalidad pedagógica y la intencionalidad solidaria. Se pueden definir como experiencias educativas solidarias protagonizadas por estudiantes, que tienen como objetivo atender a una necesidad de los destinatarios a la vez que planificar y mejorar la calidad de los aprendizajes (Tapia, 2006)

Factores de riesgo implicados en el comportamiento agresivo del perro y del gato

El presente trabajo se centra en el estudio de algunos aspectos de la agresividad del perro y del gato. El estudio de la agresividad canina y felina es importante por varios motivos. En primer lugar, los problemas de agresividad del perro y del gato son muy frecuentes y, al menos en los centros de referencia, son el principal problema de comportamiento. La agresividad del perro y del gato también es importante, porque constituye una de las principales causas de eutanasia y abandono de perros y gatos sanos. A las razones citadas anteriormente debemos añadir que la mayoría de los problemas de agresividad afectan negativamente al bienestar del animal ya que estimulan los centros nerviosos responsables del castigo, es decir, generan un estado afectivo negativo y, además, van acompañadas de una respuesta de estrés. El primer objetivo del trabajo era estudiar la epidemiología de los problemas de comportamiento del gato, incluyendo su prevalencia y los factores de riesgo relativos a la raza, sexo, estado reproductor, procedencia, acceso al exterior y número de gatos que conviven en un mismo domicilio. En este sentido se obtuvo que los problemas de agresividad y los problemas de eliminación inadecuada suponen la mayoría de las consultas de etología clínica felina recibidas en el Servicio de Etología de la Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari. Los problemas de agresividad entre gatos son más frecuentes que los problemas de agresividad hacia las personas. En relación a los problemas de agresividad hacia las personas, los miembros de la familia son el blanco más frecuente. Dentro de la categoría de problemas de eliminación inadecuada, los más frecuentes son los de micción inadecuada, seguidos por los problemas que afectan tanto a la micción como a la defecación y finalmente por los que afectan a la defecación. Los gatos de raza Persa presentan significativamente más problemas de eliminación inadecuada que las otras razas. En la categoría de problemas de agresividad, los dos diagnósticos más comunes son la agresividad por falta de tolerancia a la manipulación y la agresividad por juego. En la categoría de problemas de eliminación inadecuada, el diagnóstico más común son los problemas de aversión a la bandeja. Estos resultados indican que el desconocimiento de los propietarios acerca del comportamiento normal del gato contribuye en muy buena medida al desarrollo de problemas de comportamiento en esta especie. Según la base de datos del Servicio de Etología, los gatos que proceden de tiendas, que no tienen acceso al exterior y que no conviven con otros gatos, presentan significativamente más problemas de comportamiento. El primero de estos resultados sugiere que una socialización deficiente es un factor importante en el desarrollo de los problemas de comportamiento del gato. Las gatas no castradas presentan más problemas de agresividad que las castradas. No hay diferencias entre machos y hembras en la prevalencia de problemas de comportamiento. Estos resultados indican que los factores hormonales desempeñan un papel diferente en la agresividad del gato y la del perro. El segundo objetivo del trabajo era estudiar el estímulo desencadenante, el blanco alternativo, la postura corporal y los factores de riesgo de la agresividad redirigida del gato. Según nuestra base de datos, el 9% de los casos de comportamiento agresivo del gato analizados son compatibles con un diagnóstico de agresividad redirigida. Los sonidos intensos y las interacciones con otros gatos son los detonantes más comunes. Los propietarios y otros gatos de la vivienda son los blancos alternativos más frecuentes. En la mayoría de episodios de agresividad redirigida el gato adopta una postura defensiva. Los gatos que muestran agresividad redirigida no suelen tener acceso al exterior y presentan frecuentemente fobia a los ruidos. Estos resultados sugieren que el mecanismo responsable de la agresividad redirigida del gato está relacionado con la respuesta de miedo y estrés. El tercer objetivo era estudiar la epidemiología del comportamiento agresivo de los perros de raza Cocker Spaniel Inglés, incluyendo su prevalencia y los factores de riesgo relativos al sexo, estado reproductor, procedencia y color de la capa. Según la base de datos del Servicio de Etología de la Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, el Cocker Spaniel Inglés es la raza que presenta más problemas de agresividad. La agresividad hacia la familia es el problema que se presenta con más frecuencia en esta raza. Los machos presentan significativamente más problemas de agresividad que las hembras y los individuos de capa dorada presentan más problemas de agresividad que los individuos de otras capas. Este último resultado sugiere que el Cocker Spaniel Inglés es un buen modelo para estudiar la relación entre el color de la capa y el temperamento en los animales. El cuarto objetivo era caracterizar el comportamiento agresivo del Cocker Spaniel Inglés para determinar si esta raza presenta una mayor frecuencia de agresividad impulsiva que otras razas de perros. Al comparar una población de perros de raza Cocker Spaniel Inglés con una población de perros de otras razas, ambas con problemas de agresividad, se observa que la impulsividad es una característica más frecuente en la población de Cockers El quinto objetivo era determinar la concentración sérica de serotonina en perros agresivos de raza Cocker Spaniel Inglés como posible mecanismo responsable de la impulsividad en la conducta agresiva de esta raza. La concentración sérica de serotonina es inferior en perros agresivos de raza Cocker Spaniel Inglés que en perros agresivos de otras razas. Los dos resultados anteriores indican que el Cocker Spaniel Inglés podría ser un buen modelo para estudiar los mecanismos fisiológicos responsables de la impulsividad.The present work is focused in the study of canine and feline aggression. The study of canine and feline aggression is important for several reasons. First, these problems are very common, and at least in referral behavior services, they are the main owner’s complaint. The canine and feline aggression is also important because represents one of the main causes of euthanasia and relinquishment of healthy dogs and cats. Moreover, the majority of aggression problems could affect the animal’s well-being since there is evidence that aggressive behavior may involve a stress response. The first objective was to study the epidemiology of feline behaviour problems, including their prevalence and the risk factors related to the breed, sex, neutered status, origin of the cat, the possibility to go outside and the number of cats that live in the same household. According to the results, the aggressive and elimination problems represent the majority of feline cases attended to the Animal Behaviour Services at the Barcelona School of Veterinary Medicine. The intercat aggression problems are more frequent that the aggression towards people. In relation to the aggression towards people, the family members are the most common target. In the category of elimination problems, most of the elimination cases involved urination, followed by urination and defecation, and defecation. Persian cats showed elimination problems out the litter box more frequently than other breeds. The most frequent diagnosis is litterbox aversion. In the category of aggression problems, most cases meet the criteria of play related aggression and petting related aggression. These results point out that the lack of knowledge of the owners about the normal behaviour contributes to the development of some of behavior problems in this specie. According the caseload of Animal Behaviour Services, cats purchased from petshops, without access to the outside, and living alone, show more behavior problems. First result suggests that an inadequate socialization may be an important factor in the development of feline behaviours problems. The intact females show more aggression problems that neutered ones. In relation to the prevalence of behavior problems, there are no differences between males and females. These results suggest that the hormones may play a different role in the canine and feline aggression. The second objective was to identify inciting causes, alternative targets, and risk factors associated with redirected aggression in cats. According our caseload, 9% of the aggressive cases are reported to have displayed behaviour compatible with redirected aggression. The most common inciting stimuli are loud noises followed by interactions with other cats. The most commonly reported alternative target is the owner, followed by another cat living in the same household. In the majority of episodes, the owner describes a defensive posture. Cats with redirected aggression are significantly more likely to have sound phobia and less likely to be outdoor. These results suggest that the physiologic and functional bases of redirected aggression may be related to fear and stress. The third objective was to study the aggressive behavior of English cocker spaniel (ECS) presented for aggression problems to the Animal Behaviour Services at the Barcelona School of Veterinary Medicine, including the prevalence and the risk factors related to the sex, neutering status, source from which the dog was obtained and coat color. According our caseload, English cocker spaniel is the breed that shows more aggression problems. Owner directed aggression is the most commonly reported problem in this breed. Males show more frequently aggression problems than females, and the golden coat cockers show are more common in the group of aggressive ECS than in the group of non-aggressive ECS. This result suggests that this breed coud be a good model to understand the relationship between the coat colour and the behavior of the animals. The fourth objective was to find out if this breed shows more frequently impulsiveness than other breeds. A population of aggressive ECS was compare with a population of aggressive dogs of other breeds. ECSs show impulsiveness more frequently than other breeds. The fifth objective was to analyze possible differences in serum serotonin levels between aggressive ECSs and aggressive dogs of other breeds as a mechanism to understand the impulsiveness. ECSs have lower levels of serum serotonin than aggressive dogs of other breeds. The last two results suggest that the ECS may be a good model to study the physiologic mechanisms underlying impulsiveness

Evaluation of Two Practical Tools to Assess Cognitive Impairment in Aged Dogs

Altres ajuts: Nestlé Purina PetCare EMENA.Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is the most common cause of cognitive decline in aged dogs. Early diagnosis is crucial because the sooner treatment is implemented, the greater the chance of slowing the progression of the disease. Assessment tools to assess cognitive decline may differ depending on the environment in which the dogs live. The aims of this study were threefold, first, to describe two feasible methods to evaluate cognitive impairment in aged dogs living in different environments: (i) a Canine Cognitive Assessment Scale (CCAS) for dogs living in a home environment and (ii) a practical cognitive test (PCT) potentially useful for dogs not living in a home environment (NHE); second, to assess the effect of age on the outcome of both tools and, finally, to compare the results of the CCAS with those of the PCT. Both methods were found to be practical to perform. Age was found to significantly predict the score obtained by the CCAS (p = 0.0011) and the outcome of the PCT (p = 0.009). However, the reversal phase from the PCT did not significantly predict the outcomes of the CCAS (p = 0.97). Taken together, these findings suggest that the CCAS is a practical method to evaluate age related cognitive changes in owned dogs. The fact that the PCT has not been proven to be related with the CCAS calls into question the use of the PCT as a sensitive tool to assess cognitive impairment. Further studies in this field are suggested