Developmental and other predisposing factors contributing to behavioural disorders related to fear and anxiety in the domestic dog

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with human directed social behavior in dogs (Canis familiaris)

The oxytocin system has a crucial role in human sociality; several results prove that polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene are related to complex social behaviors in humans. Dogs' parallel evolution with humans and their adaptation to the human environment has made them a useful species to model human social interactions. Previous research indicates that dogs are eligible models for behavioral genetic research, as well. Based on these previous findings, our research investigated associations between human directed social behaviors and two newly described (−212AG, 19131AG) and one known (rs8679684) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regulatory regions (5′ and 3′ UTR) of the oxytocin receptor gene in German Shepherd (N = 104) and Border Collie (N = 103) dogs. Dogs' behavior traits have been estimated in a newly developed test series consisting of five episodes: Greeting by a stranger, Separation from the owner, Problem solving, Threatening approach, Hiding of the owner. Buccal samples were collected and DNA was isolated using standard protocols. SNPs in the 3′ and 5′ UTR regions were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction based techniques followed by subsequent electrophoresis analysis. The gene–behavior association analysis suggests that oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms have an impact in both breeds on (i) proximity seeking towards an unfamiliar person, as well as their owner, and on (ii) how friendly dogs behave towards strangers, although the mediating molecular regulatory mechanisms are yet unknown. Based on these results, we conclude that similarly to humans, the social behavior of dogs towards humans is influenced by the oxytocin system

Minimising fear and anxiety in working dogs:a review

The causes of fear and anxiety in working dogs are multifactorial and may include inherited characteristics that differ between individuals (e.g. Goddard and Beilharz, 1982; 1984a,b ), influences of the environment ( Lefebvre et al., 2007 ), and learned experiences during particular sensitive periods ( Appleby et al., 2002 ) and throughout life. Fear-related behavior compromises performance, leads to significant numbers of dogs failing to complete training (e.g., Murphy, 1995; Batt et al., 2008 ), early withdrawals from working roles ( Caron-Lormier et al., 2016 ), and can jeopardize dog and handler safety. Hence, amelioration of fear and anxiety is critical to maintain dogs in working roles and to ensure their well-being. Although current methods of selection and training are seemingly effective at producing many dogs which work in a remarkable array of environments, some dogs do not make the grade, and longevity of service is not always maximized. Programs should strive for optimal efficiency and they need to continually analyze the value of each component of their program, seek evidence for its value and explore potential evidence-based improvements. Here we discuss scientific evidence for methods and strategies which may be of value in reducing the risk of fear behaviors developing in the working dog population and suggest potentially valuable techniques and future research to explore the benefit of these approaches. The importance of environmental influences, learning opportunities, and effects of underlying temperament on the outward expression of fear and anxiety should not be underestimated. Identification of characteristics which predict resilience to stress are valuable, both to enable careful breeding for these traits and to develop predictive tests for puppies and procured animals. It is vitally important to rear animals in optimal environments and introduce them to a range of stimuli in a positive, controlled, and gradual way, as these can all help minimize the number of dogs which develop work-inhibiting fears. Future research should explore innovative methods to best measure the relative resilience of dogs to stressful events. This could include developing optimal exposure protocols to minimize the development of fear and anxiety, and exploring the influence of social learning and the most effective elements of stimulus presentation

The National Immunisation Programme in the Netherlands. Surveillance and developments in 2022-2023

Het RIVM houdt elk jaar bij hoeveel mensen een ziekte krijgen waartegen vanuit het Rijksvaccinatieprogramma (RVP(Rijksvaccinatie programma)) wordt gevaccineerd. In 2022 kregen in Nederland meer mensen zo’n ziekte dan in 2021. Dit komt waarschijnlijk doordat de coronamaatregelen zijn opgeheven, zoals afstand houden. Net als in 2021 waren er in 2022 geen mensen met rodehond. De andere ziekten die in 2021 niet voorkwamen, waren in 2022 wel weer te zien. Dat zijn difterie (7 mensen), mazelen (6), polio (1) en tetanus (2). Kinkhoest (129) en bof (7) kwamen in 2022 vaker voor dan in 2021, maar wel minder vaak dan in de jaren vóór de coronapandemie. Ook pneumokokken kwam in 2022 iets minder vaak voor dan voor de coronapandemie. Het aantal mensen met meningokokkenziekte type W (2) is sinds 2018 verder gedaald. Dat komt vooral doordat de vaccinatie tegen dit type meningokokken vanaf dat jaar ook aan tieners wordt gegeven. Ook het aantal meldingen van Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib(haemophilus influenzae type b)) was in 2022 iets lager dan in 2021 (59 en 68). Het aantal kinderen jonger dan 5 jaar dat ernstig ziek werd van Hib nam wel toe (26 in 2021, 29 in 2022), ook in vergelijking met de jaren voor de coronapandemie (39 zieken in 2019, van wie 17 onder de vijf jaar). Het aantal meldingen van chronische hepatitis B (815) was hoger dan in 2021, maar lager dan voor de coronapandemie: tussen 2014 en 2019 hoorden per jaar 1.000 tot 1.100 mensen dat ze deze ziekte hebben. In 2022 zijn ten minste 1.041.632 kinderen gevaccineerd via het RVP. Zij kregen in totaal minstens 2.619.654 vaccinaties. Ook hebben ten minste 114.839 zwangere vrouwen een vaccinatie gekregen die hun baby vanaf de geboorte beschermt tegen onder andere kinkhoest. Dit is de 22 wekenprik. Op advies van de Gezondheidsraad wordt de griepvaccinatie vanaf oktober 2023 tijdens het griepseizoen ook aan zwangere vrouwen aangeboden. Verder krijgen jonge baby’s die vanaf 1 januari 2024 geboren worden, een vaccin tegen het rotavirus. Personen van 15 jaar of ouder krijgen sinds september 2022 nog maar 2 doses van het HPV(humaan papillomavirus)-vaccin, in plaats van 3. Vaccineren tegen de ziekte COVID-19 werkt goed om ernstige ziekte en sterfte te voorkomen, maar de bescherming neemt langzaam af. De booster- en herhaalvaccinaties zorgen ervoor dat de bescherming weer toeneemt