A case of tail self-mutilation in a cat

Abstract The present report describes a case of distal tail self-mutilation in a 5-year-old neutered male domestic short-hair cat. The cat started licking his tail few months before the behavioural visit. Because of the severity of the self-induced injuries, the veterinarian performed a surgical partial caudectomy. After 3 months, the excessive self-grooming of the tail recurred. Neurological and dermatological examinations, radiographs, urine and blood tests did not show any abnormalities. During the behavioural visit, through direct observation of the cat's posture and behavioural history, the pet received a diagnosis of psychogenic alopecia. The cat was treated with clomipramine for 2 months (0.5 mg/kg/PO SID) along with behaviour modification and environmental changes. After 1 month, the cat no longer showed excessive self-grooming. Even if no other systemic pathologies were identified, it is always recommended to address these patients with a multidisciplinary approach

Use of thermography in pigs: relationship between surface and core temperature

This study aims to assess the correlation between surface temperature estimated by infrared thermography and core temperature measured with rectal thermometer in weaning and fattening pigs. A total of 108 pigs were used in this study. Thermal images of the eye of each animal were recorded with a thermal imaging camera, rectal temperatures were measured using a calibrated digital thermometer. The average rectal temperature was 38.9 \ub1 0.4 \ub0C (MIN = 37.9 \ub0C; MAX = 40.1 \ub0C) and the average eye temperature was 36.7 \ub1 0.1 \ub0C (MIN = 34.8 \ub0C; MAX = 38.8 \ub0C). Our results showed that the mean eye temperature estimated by infrared thermography was significantly correlated (r = .581, P < .01) with rectal temperature. The correlation was significant and strong for weaners (r = .739, P < .01), significant although weak for fatteners (r = .236 P < .05). Thermography could be a valid method to estimate the core temperature of pigs under farm condition

Stress level evaluation in a dog during animal-assisted therapy in pediatric surgery

Animal-assisted interventions are associated with positive effects on human psychological and physiological health. Although quality standards in animal-assisted interventions appear to be high, only few investigations have focused on potential welfare implications in therapy dogs. In the present study, we monitored behavioral measures and heart rate in a therapy dog that participated in animal-assisted therapy during postoperative awakening in a pediatric surgery ward. Work-related activity, behavior, response to human action, and heart rate were analyzed for more than 20 working sessions in an experienced therapy dog. No physiological or behavioral indicators of stress, fatigue, or exhaustion were present during animal-assisted therapy, suggesting that, with the limited generalizability of a case study, this activity did not negatively impact on the welfare of the dog. Further investigation into the effects of animal-assisted therapy on dogs' physiological markers and behavior is warranted

Preliminary Study of Pet Owner Adherence in Behaviour, Cardiology, Urology, and Oncology Fields

Successful veterinary treatment of animals requires owner adherence with a prescribed treatment plan. The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the level of adherence of the owners of patients presented for behavioural, cardiological, urological, and oncological problems. At the end of the first examination, each owner completed a questionnaire. Then, the owners were called four times to fill out another questionnaire over the phone. With regard to the first questionnaire, statistically significant data concern behavioral medicine and cardiology. In the first area the owner’s worry decreases during the follow-up and the number of owners who would give away the animal increases. In cardiology, owners who think that the pathology harms their animal’s quality of life decreased significantly over time. With regard to the 9 additional follow-up questions, in behavioural medicine and urology the owner’s discomfort resulting from the animal’s pathology significantly decreases over time. Assessment of adherence appears to be an optimal instrument in identifying the positive factors and the difficulties encountered by owners during the application of a treatment protocol