Problemi comportamentali nel cane: un approccio cognitivo-relazionale

The aim of this work is to face dog’s behavioural problems according with the cognitive relational method, working on both cognitive skills and relational system. 122 dogs with behavioural problems attributed to early adoption, strong limitations in intra and interspecific relationships, lack of experience and traumas, mistaken interspecific relationship, incorrect role of the dog in the family group participated to the study. A therapy based on knowledge modification and correction of relationship’s structure was implemented in all the subjects. The 122 dogs were divided in 2 groups: the first group constituted by72 dogs with problems related to lack of experience, followed an educational training, the second group constituted by 50 dogs with problems related to traumas, followed a re-educative training. The interventions lasted from 4 to 12 months with 3 sessions per week. In 64 dogs from the first group behavioural problems were completely solved, 7 showed remarkable improvements and are continuing the therapy, 1 still shows the starting problem. In 42 dogs from the second group behavioural problems were solved, 5 showed improvements and are continuing the therapy, 3 still show the starting problem. The results evidence that dog’s behaviour is strictly related with epigenetic factors as variety and quality of environmental stimulations. A good knowledge of behavioural characteristics of an individual prevents behavioural problems and is necessary to solve them

Is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) a competent definitive host for Taenia multiceps?

Abstract Background Shepherd and stray dogs are thought to represent the primary definitive hosts of Coenurosis by Taenia multiceps, due to their feeding habits which translate into high chances of coming into contact with infected intermediate hosts. Nonetheless, little attention has been paid to the role of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the epidemiology of coenurosis. In fact a knowledge gap exists on the role played by red foxes in the epidemiology of Taenia multiceps and the capability of this parasite to produce fertile and viable eggs in this wild canid, i.e. on the occurrence of a sylvatic cycle. This study investigates the role of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the epidemiology of T. multiceps and related metacestodoses. Methods The small intestine of 63 red foxes was macroscopically examined for the presence of cestodes. Adult parasites were identified morphologically as being T. multiceps. Tapeworm eggs were counted and stored at 4 °C in physiological saline solution prior to experimental infection of four sheep and one goat. Sheep were inoculated orally on Day 0 with 3000 (sheep 1), 5000 (sheep 2 and 3) or 7000 eggs (sheep 4), while the goat was infected with 5000 eggs of T. multiceps. The animals were followed-up regularly by MRI and underwent surgical treatment between days 180 to day 240 post infection. Collected coenuri were identified using morphological and molecular methods. Results A total of 6.3 % of red foxes were found infected with T. multiceps and the eggs obtained from the worms were determined to have a viability of 45.4 %. Two of the challenged sheep and the goat developed disease compatible with T. multiceps. Morphometrical features of the cysts were consistent with those of T. multiceps; nucleotide amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial genes (i.e., cox1 and Nd1) from the metacestode material confirmed the identification. Conclusions The present study is the first to provide evidence of the role of the red fox as a competent definitive host for T. multiceps, thus changing the epidemiological scenarios of infections by this cestode