Potential welfare issues of the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) at the retailer and in the hobbyist aquarium

Betta splendens is an extremely popular ornamental fish among hobby aquarists. It has an interesting behavioral repertoire, particularly where male aggression and territoriality are concerned. The lack of scientific studies investigating optimal housing conditions in combination with the wide variety of commercially available husbandry products, raises questions about the welfare status of these fish in captivity. In this article, an overview of the available literature on the biology of the betta and general considerations of ornamental fish keeping is given, and environment- and animal-related factors with potential impact on the welfare of Betta splendens are examined. Although more research using biological and physiological indicators is needed, the following factors constituting welfare problems have been identified: an aquarium of limited dimensions, prevalence of Mycobacterium spp. infection, aggression to and from conspecifics or other species in the same aquarium and the limited ability to escape, potential for stress due to prolonged visual contact between males in shops and during shows, and the lack of environmental enrichment in the form of sheltering vegetation

A treatment plan for dogs (Canis familiaris) that show impaired social functioning towards their owners

Many domestic dogs are uncomfortable when humans perform trivial and benign actions that the animals perceive as threatening. A common technique for addressing canine emotional discomfort involves desensitization, where the intensity of a problematic stimulus is gradually increased while the dog remains relaxed. Desensitization requires a skillful owner and is complicated when actions of the owner are the stimuli to be desensitised. This paper introduces a behaviour modification programme for dogs with impaired social functioning in relation to the (inter)actions by their owners, consisting of (1) increasing owner knowledge and awareness regarding dog body language and perception of owner actions, (2) management of the daily life of the dog through general stress reduction and avoidance of stressful situations, and (3) behaviour modification through training. The latter component entails a non-threatening, predictable exercise in which the dog has control over any perceived threats, the introduction of the safety cue with subsequent desensitization, and engaging activities with the owner that the dog finds enjoyable. We also present a case series report to examine a selection of dogs with impaired social functioning, from signalment to outcome, when treated with the proposed behaviour modification and examine which adaptations were made to the plan according to individual dogs. Finally, we avenues for future research

Rejections in an non-purpose bred assistance dog population : reasons, consequences and methods for screening

Assistance dogs aid people with various impairments on a daily basis. To become an assistance dog, a strict selection procedure and intensive training period must be successfully completed. Consequently, not every dog acquired for this purpose, becomes an assistance dog. The purpose of this study was to investigate reasons for failure and the financial consequences thereof for assistance dog associations that do not have a dedicated breeding program for their dogs. Data were collected for a total of 537 dogs enlisted between 2001 and 2015 and purchased out of the general dog population by five Belgian assistance dog associations. Only 60 percent of the dogs actually became an assistance dog and the main reasons for failure were related to undesirable behavioural characteristics and orthopaedic disorders. The estimated average financial loss per rejected dog was found to be 10524 euro. A detailed comparison of the two most popular breeds (Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever) within the guide dogs and mobility assistance dogs revealed no significant difference in probability of successfully completing the training. However, a comparison of orthopaedic screening methods revealed a higher rejection with computed tomography for elbow dysplasia and laxity-based radiographical techniques for hip dysplasia compared to radiography and the standard ventrodorsal hip extend radiograph alone, respectively. Based on these results, we provide several suggestions to increase the probability of success

Physiological stress reactivity and recovery related to behavioral traits in dogs (Canis familiaris)

This study investigated whether stress responsiveness (in one context) can be used to predict dog behavior in daily life. On two occasions (NT1 = 32 puppies; NT2 = 16 young adults), dogs' physiological stress response after a behavioral test at home was measured in terms of reactivity (10 min post-test) and recovery (40 min post-test) for three salivary markers: cortisol, chromogranin A (CgA) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). For each marker, it was determined whether dogs with a strong physiological response displayed different behavior in daily life compared to dogs with a weaker physiological response. The results revealed three main findings: first, for CgA and cortisol, different patterns were identified according to sample time. High reactivity related to desirable traits, whereas slow recovery after the behavioral test related to undesirable traits. The findings suggest that increased levels of CgA and cortisol 10 minutes after the behavioral test reflected an adaptive stress response, whereas elevated levels 40 minutes after the test reflected unsuccessful coping. Second, patterns for sIgA differed from CgA and cortisol: significant associations were only found with behavioral traits at T2, mostly considered desirable and related to Trainability. Possibly, the delayed reaction pattern of sIgA caused this difference between markers, as sIgA reflects the (secondary) immune response to stress, due to immunosuppressive effects of cortisol. Third, predictive capacity of puppies' physiological stress response (T1) was inconclusive, and contrary relations were found with behavioral traits at T2, suggesting that developmental factors play an important role. This study provides new insights about the relation between stress physiology and behavioral traits, and methodological advice is given to study these patterns further. In conclusion, physiological markers could provide additional insights in dogs' tendencies to display certain behaviors, especially at the young adult stage. Further studies are needed to confirm these patterns

The acute phase protein, haptoglobin : a potential parameter in welfare assessment?

Physiological parameters are important measures in animal welfare assessment. To assess the amount of stress an animal experiences, stress hormones like cortisol are frequently used. However, measuring cortisol has major disadvantages due to its rapid reactivity and decline and many influencing factors. Other potential alternative markers are acute phase proteins, since stress is known to affect the immune system. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the response of the acute phase protein, plasma haptoglobine (HP), in pigs subjected to a stressor (food deprivation) and to examine the correlation between HP levels and average daily growth (ADG). Forty grower pigs (25.1 ± 4.4 kg, mean ± SD) (sex and former pen mates balanced), were allocated to 4 conventional pens, 2 treatment (T) and 2 control (C) groups (10 pigs per pen). After 10 days of adaptation the experiment started and ran for 3 weeks. In the 2nd week, T groups were repeatedly subjected to an 8-hour food deprivation (day 1, 3, 5 and 7 of week 2), C groups had normal, unrestricted, access to food. Pigs were weighed twice a week and blood was collected once a week (every 5th day). Mean levels of plasma HP of C and T groups showed large variation between individuals (C groups, week 2: 1.84 ± 3.11 mg/ml; T groups, week 2: 1.40 ± 1.16 mg/ml). No significant differences (Kruskal-Wallis test) in HP levels or growth were found between the C and T groups or between the different weeks within the T groups. Significant negative weak to moderate correlations were found between ADG and HP levels (HP week 1 and ADG week 1: rs = -0.47, p=0.005; HP week 2 and ADG total; rs= -0.60, p=0.015; HP week 3 and ADG total: rs = -0.43, p=0.025; average HP total and ADG total: rs= -0.41, p=0.017). Large variations in HP levels between individuals were shown and no effect of treatment on HP levels or growth was found. Possibly, food deprivation had no apparent stress eliciting effect. Despite these results, interesting correlations between the level of HP and ADG were found, corroborating the inverse relationship between the acute phase response and growth. To further investigate the relation of the acute phase response and stress a successive experiment will be conducted in which we apply a stronger stressor (mixing pigs) and combine the physiological data with behavior

Foot problems, stereotypies and substrate type in Asian elephants: a European survey

Foot problems are very common in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an association exists between floor type, the occurrence of repetitive behaviour and foot problems. For this research project, information about the enclosure floor type, the occurrence of repetitive behaviour and the occurrence of foot problems was collected for adult (older than 11 years) Asian elephants in European zoos, using a brief questionnaire (response rate = 38.09 %). Data on indoor and outdoor housing were pooled for statistical purposes. Information was obtained for 87 adult individuals, out of the 254 adult elephants that are incorporated in the EAZA European Studbook. Most of the elephants had access to areas with sand (87.36 %) or concrete (71.26 %) flooring. A considerable proportion of the animals (72.41 %) displayed repetitive behaviour (stereotypies). The most common type was weaving (37.93 %). The respondents observed foot problems in 59 individuals (67.82 %). Within the latter group, 53 elephants displayed repetitive behaviours, of which weaving was the most common type (34.38 %), followed by nodding (18.75 %) and pacing (15.63 %). The statistical analysis showed that elephants that had access to an enclosure with straw flooring had less chance of displaying stereotypic behaviour than elephants that were kept on other floor types (Prevalence ration (PR) = 0.12; P < 0.01). Elephants partly kept on dirt were less likely to have foot problems than animals standing on other substrates (PR = 0.67; P = 0.01). It was shown that elephants in this study that showed stereotypic behaviour were 337 times more likely to have foot problems than elephants that showed no stereotypic behaviour (PR = 3.37; P < 0.01). However, the results of this study should be interpreted with caution. Adhering to the advice of the EEP coordinator, questionnaire length was restricted and, consequently, certain factors (e.g., distribution of time spent indoors and outdoors, enclosure maintenance, elephant sleeping patterns) were no longer included. Future research elaborating on the development of stereotypic behaviours and foot problems should account for these factors

Critical evaluation of the environment in Belgian dog breeding kennels during the puppies' socialization period

Different authors emphasize the role of an appropriate early environment during the juvenile period in the prevention of behavioral problems in puppies. In the present study, the authors investigate whether the conditions in which Belgian breeders raise and sell puppies meet the recommendations posed in the scientific literature. A questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was returned by 48 breeders. From the results it could be concluded that in all the breeding kennels both major and minor deviations from the conditions recommended in the literature were found. In a high percentage of the kennels that were examined, weaning occurs when the puppies are too young, the remaining puppies are kept solitary after the others have been sold, and not enough unfamiliar visual, olfactory and acoustic stimuli or toys are provided. A significant percentage of the puppies never leave the kennels and have no regular contact (or no contact at all) with unfamiliar humans or other non-canine animals. This leads to the conclusion that in a significant percentage of the breeding kennels the environment may not provide a solid basis for proper socialization. Consequently, efforts made by the new owners to achieve socialization are crucial. Depending on the number of breeding bitches in the kennel, the nature and degree of the deficiency will vary. In larger kennels the conditions seem to be less suitable than in smaller kennels (up to 19 breeding bitches). However, a larger scale study is needed to confirm the tendencies that were found in this preliminary investigation. If these tendencies are confirmed, then amendments should be made in the Belgian legislation concerning the recognition of dog breeding kennels

Behavior and health issues in Bengal cats as perceived by their owners : a descriptive study

The Bengal cat is a recently established hybrid cat breed that was created by crossbreeding the domestic shorthair cat (Felis silvestris catus) and the wild Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). In spite of its popularity, research on behavior and health issues in this breed remains limited. A questionnaire was sent to Bengal cat owners in Flanders and Wallonia (Belgium), and the Netherlands to document the suitability of the breed as a pet from the point of view of the owners by exploring the presence of behavioral and health issues that may provoke the cat?s relinquishment. It included questions about their decision to own a Bengal cat, the cat demographics and living environment, potential undesirable behaviors, and health issues. The owners of 60.5% (n = 155) of cats chose this breed due to a combination of looks and character. For most cats (99.2% n = 254), the respondents looked for information about the breed before acquiring a cat. Breed-typical health conditions, as described by International Cat Care, were reported in 9.9 % (n = 24) of cats, with being overweight as the most common one. The most frequent behaviors were climbing (89.5%, n = 229), vocalizing (88.7%, n = 227), playing with water (79.7%, n = 204), and hunting (78.9%, n = 202). These were, however, rarely considered problematic by the owners. The most frequent behaviors often classified as problematic by the owners were destructive behaviors (33.2%, n = 85), followed by pica (16.4%, n = 42), aggression toward animals (16%, n = 41), and urination outside the litter tray (13.3%, n = 34). There were no significant differences between cats from early and later generations nor between cats with and without outdoor access. The fact that most owners looked for information about the breed before acquiring the cat and that the most frequently displayed behaviors were not considered problematic by their owners could translate into a lower incidence of relinquishments. Nevertheless, some of those behaviors may still be indicative of welfare issues, independently of the owner?s perception. Further and more in-depth research is needed to understand the potential issues of keeping Bengal cats as pets

Wat na het project Sterycat?: de mening van deelnemende asielmedewerkers en dierenartsen over vroegcastratie bij katten

The Sterycat project is a scientific study financed by the Federal Public Service of Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, in which the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine collaborated with seventeen Flemish animal shelters, to investigate the effect of prepubertal gonadectomy on the health and behavior of cats. To be able to efficiently integrate prepubertal gonadectomy of shelter cats in governmental policy, it is important to know the opinion on this topic of people in the field. For this purpose, at the end of the Sterycat project, a survey (16 questions, 70 copies in total) was distributed among shelter veterinarians and staff workers of the participating shelters. Thirty-five individuals completed the survey (10 shelter veterinarians, 25 staff workers). The majority of them (85%) were in favor of continuing prepubertal gonadectomy in shelter cats after the Sterycat project had ended. However, some respondents were concerned about potential complications due to the procedure (58%) and about viral disease outbreaks (72%). Whether prepubertal gonadectomy could be implemented successfully seemed to be dependent upon the financial feasibility and the development of a framework to prevent income loss for non-shelter veterinarians. Furthermore, to efficiently reduce the overpopulation of cats, private cat owners and municipalities would have to assume responsibility to prevent reproduction in cats. A positive perception of the feasibility of prepubertal gonadectomy and microchipping in cats was associated with the enthusiasm of the veterinarian, the increased chances of adoption of the kittens and with the fact that both procedures contributed to the decrease in cat population numbers. In turn, the degree with which prepubertal gonadectomy was considered important was associated with the type of shelter and the expectation of a better return for the shelter. These results indicate that most surveyed shelter veterinarians and staff workers support the idea of continuing prepubertal gonadectomy at their shelter, on the condition that the financial aspect of the procedure and the responsibility of others (private cat owners and municipalities) are taken into account