Applied animal behavior and obedience training course: a model for veterinary curricula

Animal behavior problems often have detrimental effects on the relationships between pets and their owners and are one of the most frequently given reasons for canine relinquishment. The stressful environment of animal shelters can exacerbate behavior problems; yet most shelters do not have the staff necessary to address this issue adequately. Veterinary students may provide an untapped resource for solving this dilemma. As a service component of the curriculum, Veterinary schools can join with local humane societies to expose students to behavioral issues and concurrently build relationships within the community and perhaps even offer shelter animals a better chance of successful adoption. The following paper describes a "hands-on" undergraduate animal behavior and obedience training psychology course, created as a model to address these needs.     

The face of animal cognition

As an increasing number of researchers investigate the cognitive abilities of an ever‐wider range of animals, animal cognition is currently among the most exciting fields within animal behavior. Tinbergen would be proud: all four of his approaches are being pursued and we are learning much about how animals collect information and how they use that information to make decisions for their current and future states as well as what animals do not perceive or choose to ignore. Here I provide an overview of this productivity, alighting only briefly on any single example, to showcase the diversity of species, of approaches and the sheer mass of research effort currently under way. We are getting closer to understanding the minds of other animals and the evolution of cognition at an increasingly rapid rate.     

饲用益生菌对动物肠道免疫调节的作用机理

益生菌即一类以活菌为主的新型饲料添加剂,其活菌能在动物肠道内定植,维护肠道菌群平衡,并刺激肠黏膜免疫系统,引起体液免疫和细胞免疫应答,从而增强机体抗病力.本文对益生菌的免疫刺激及其作用机理进行综述.     

Postmodernism for animal scientists

Many scientists regard the term "postmodernism" as controversial. Because postmodern theorists question whether science can be objective, some scientists view postmodernism as anti-scientific. In this paper, we argue that traditional accounts of science developed during the modern era (16th, 17th, and 18th centuries) are still influential in animal science, but are no longer plausible. In particular, the view that science automatically leads to human betterment seems to be disingenuous. A postmodern view that portrays science as a political activity seems more plausible, and offers a means to better understand contentious policy issues that involve science. Although most animal scientists accept the view that theory selection, experimental designs, and technology development require value-laden judgments, most fail to recognize that such values may be politically motivated and embrace prevailing political structures. Postmodernists such as Michel Foucault argue that through the generation of knowledge, scientific disciplines create a discourse that serves to maintain a particular social structure that has political implications. Viewed in this way, it becomes clear how various interest groups can be critical of certain scientific programs. For example, groups that oppose research dealing with cloning, genetically modified organisms, and intensive livestock production may not be as much opposed to science as they are to the political interests served by this science. In other words, such groups view these research agendas as promoting policies that place them at risk. Such a postmodern account of science, may help animal scientists better understand the nature of contentious issues, and provide a basis for reforming the animal science discipline in ways that make it more responsive to the diverse interests of a pluralistic society.     

Ethical demands in animal production

Since the second world war, particularly within the last twenty years the structure of agriculture has been changed dramatically by intensifying, specialization and rationalization of every aspect of production methods. This has led to a severe change in the human-animal relationship. Large numbers cause alienation of man from the farm animals confided to him. Extremely high pressure of performance and mechanization of livestock husbandry often overstress the adaptability of the animals. It is to be expected that introduction of new methods of biotechnology will increase this process. The problems caused by this development necessitate to revise the management of animal production and husbandry, judgement to be based on ethical criterions. Farm animals are to be recognized and treated as creatures again. But in the context of livestock husbandry human-human relations are to be reconsidered under ethical aspects, too. In doing so, the scientific scale of values fails, determining correct or incorrect, true or false, whereas ethical judgement uses good or bad as criterions. The personal view is given, making use of some examples.     

Molybdenum and animal health in New Zealand

Extract

Molybdenum is the most recent addition to the group of trace elements that are important in agriculture. In New Zealand it has a special importance, for here it has great possibilities for doing good to animal production, and almost equal possibilities for doing harm. The good comes from improved pasture and crop yields when molybdates are used as fertilizers for deficient soils. The harm is due to stock poisoning by excess molybdenum already present in some pastures or getting there through careless use of molybdate fertilizers.     

Correlation of nuclear morphometric features with animal and human World Health Organization International Histological Classifications of canine spontaneous seminomas

The aim of this study was to correlate nuclear morphometric features with animal and human World Health Organization International Histological Classifications in canine seminomas. Twenty-three canine seminomas were classified, according to Animal World Health Organization International Histological Classification as intratubular, intratubular with signs of invasion, or diffuse and according to Human World Health Organization International Histological Classification criteria as spermatocytic and typical. The morphonuclear characteristics of tumors were quantitatively evaluated by means of digital cell image analyses of hematoxylin and eosin-stained nuclei. In particular, the mean nuclear area, mean nuclear perimeter, mean nuclear form factor, and their respective standard deviations were calculated. The relationship between the different variables and the tumor histologic types was assessed. On the basis of animal and human classification systems, statistically significant differences were observed only between intratubular seminomas with signs of invasion and the other two types and between spermatocytic and typical seminomas, respectively. In humans, it is well known that typical seminomas are more common and aggressive than spermatocytic ones. In our study, the canine seminomas classified as typical showed significantly larger and more variable nuclear area and perimeter than spermatocytic seminomas. These results support the opinion that most canine seminomas correspond to human spermatocytic seminomas and could explain the benign behavior of canine seminomas, which derive from a more differentiated type of germ cell.     

Animal behavior and animal welfare

The value of behavioral techniques in assessing animal welfare, and in particular assessing the psychological well being of animals, is reviewed. Using cats and horses as examples, 3 behavioral methods are presented: (1) comparison of behavior patterns and time budgets; (2) choice tests; and (3) operant conditioning. The behaviors of intact and declawed cats were compared in order to determine if declawing led to behavioral problems or to a change in personality. Apparently it did not. The behavior of free ranging horses was compared with that of stabled horses. Using two-choice preference tests, the preference of horses for visual contact with other horses and the preference for bedding were determined. Horses show no significant preference for locations from which they can make visual contact with other horses, but they do prefer bedding, especially when lying down. Horses will perform an operant response in order to obtain light in a darkened barn or heat in an outside shed. These same techniques can be used to answer a variety of questions about an animal's motivation for a particular attribute of its environment.     

Epidemiological field studies of animal populations.

Numerous survey designs have been developed for epidemiological field studies of human populations, most of which are also applicable to field studies of animal poulations. Each design has its own advantages and disadvantages. The final design selected for a particular study depends upon such factors as the overall purpose of the study, the geographic dimensions of the study area, the diseases incidence or prevalence and species to be studied as well as the planned use for the data. Population dynamics including the distribution and density of the species to be studied are factors that should also be considered in the initial design of a study. A surveillance system, using mailed questionnaire data and a subsequent survey using direct interviews of validate the data in a statewide study of swine birth defects are used to illustrate some of the techniques that can be applied to domestic animal populations in a fairly large geographic area. The type of data collected, its use and its limitations are also considered.     

Genetic polymorphism as a background of animal behavior

Various studies have shown the associations between differences in human behavioral traits and genetic polymorphism of neurotransmitter-related proteins such as receptors, transporters and monoamine oxidase. To clarify the genetic background of animal behavior, corresponding regions in animals have been analyzed. The study has been especially focused on primates, as the evolutionally closest animal to humans, and on dogs, as the socially closest animal to humans. In primates, polymorphisms were discovered between or within species, and the functional effects on neural transmission were found to be different by alleles. Even in apes, the closest species to humans, function was different from that in humans. In dogs, allele distributions of several genes were different among breeds showing different behavioral traits, and genes associated with individual differences in aggressiveness and aptitude of working dogs were surveyed. The survey of behavior-related genes has also been carried out in other mammals such as horses and cetaceans. Genes controlling various behaviors in birds have also been reported. The marker genes for behavior will provide useful information for human evolution, welfare of zoo animals and effective selection of working dogs and industry animals.     

Teaching international animal agriculture

Students who major in animal science at U.S. institutions are generally exposed to a curriculum that emphasizes commercial, large-scale production of the few traditional food animals: cattle, poultry, sheep, and swine. Globally, most farmers live in lesser-developed countries under limited-resource conditions of land, feed supplies, equipment, and capital. The promotion of commercial animal production enterprises may not be appropriate for such farms because it can subject farmers to considerable economic risk. Rather, use of limited numbers of large livestock, locally adapted breeds, or smaller livestock (e.g., ducks, goats, guinea pigs, and rabbits) may be more appropriate under subsistence, integrated farming systems. In this global context, a course in international animal agriculture has been taught for 15 yr to undergraduate and graduate students. The course consists of a review of traditional and potential livestock species well suited for impoverished families on small farms and methods to implement sustainable livestock projects, including feasibility, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation stages. To enhance student understanding, global food issues and challenges are illustrated with case studies. A term paper is also assigned for which students choose three suitable livestock species or local breeds that would be complementary on a small crop farm (< 5 ha). Daily dietary requirements of protein and energy per family member are calculated. Itemized enterprise budgets and production tables are prepared. Early in the course, the general consensus of students was that people who are malnourished and live in poverty have low personal ambition and motivation, and that their problems should be amenable to solution by application of American technology and expertise. The course modifies such attitudes and enhances a student's critical thinking and problem-solving abilities and communication skills. Course evaluations indicated that students believed that it is important to acquire some international knowledge and understanding when seeking a job, and that certain animal science courses should contain some international content. Students gain an understanding of global animal agriculture and an appreciation of the complexity of food production and hunger issues.     

Grazing management as it affects nutrition, animal production and economics of beef production

Until recently, the nutritional fate of the grazing animal has been largely ignored by both animal and range scientists despite the economic dependence of the extensive livestock industry on nutrition from grass. Of the three factors that can be manipulated to improve profit gross margin per animal, is one that is directly affected by nutrition and, hence, grazing management. The relationship between economics and grazing management may be summarized as: Gross margin = f(Animal Performance); Animal Performance = f(nutrition); Nutrition = f(grazing). Economical beef production must consider the needs of the animal and the forage plant at the same time. The health of the sward must be maintained while improving individual animal performance and simultaneously increasing stocking rate. Generally, plants that have been defoliated require a period of recovery before again being grazed. A sward is kept in a vigorous state by preventing repetitive defoliation at the one extreme, and avoiding excessive shading (mature growth) of photosynthetic material at the other. This state is best achieved where livestock grazing is controlled. For any individual paddock, periods of grazing are followed by periods that allow adequate physiologic recovery of the plants. A grazing regimen that keeps the plant in a healthy state is fortuitously also well suited to the nutritional requirements of the animal. Animals on overgrazed pastures are likely to suffer from inadequate feed intake because of deficiencies in feed quantity. Conversely, on over-rested pastures, intake deficiency results from paucity in feed quality. On most unmanaged ranges, overgrazed and over-rested plants are likely to be found side by side. By controlling duration of the rest period as well as duration of the grazing period through pasture subdivision, requirements of both the plant and the animal can be met. With artificially high economic demands placed on animal production, some form of supplementation is required in most modern livestock situations. Whereas energy is frequently the nutrient limiting production it is seldom economically feasible to supplement the grazing animal directly with energy. Protein supplementation to increase forage intake, and thus indirectly energy intake, has become standard practice in many grazing situations. When there is adequate forage with a low crude protein content (less than or equal to 7%), microbially degradable protein is the preferred choice. However, when the animals are in an energy deficient state, either through a shortage of available forage or because their requirements exceed energy intake levels, by-pass protein is required.     

新型动物疫苗佐剂的研究进展

疫苗佐剂是使疫苗免疫原性充分发挥的工具,目前动物疫苗佐剂主要以铝盐佐剂和油乳佐剂为主。近年来基因重组疫苗和亚单位疫苗发展迅猛,而这些新型疫苗与传统疫苗相比免疫原性较弱,这就对佐剂提出了更高的要求。当前针对佐剂的研究层出不穷,部分佐剂如MF59、AS01、AS03等已经在人用疫苗中成功应用,但应用于动物疫苗还有技术难题需要攻破。蜂胶佐剂目前在动物疫苗中应用较广,且已经占有了一定的市场份额。为充分比较现有新型疫苗佐剂的优缺点,为后续疫苗佐剂的研究提供参考,就目前广泛研究的新型动物疫苗佐剂进行综述。     

草原补奖政策对牧户牧业生产决策行为的影响研究

我国实施草原生态保护补助奖励政策已历经7年,实证分析该政策对牧户牧业决策行为的影响,对于完善第二期补奖政策和牧户生产决策行为的深入研究具有积极意义。研究基于草原补奖政策实施前后甘肃省牧区及半农半牧区7个县220户牧户的调查,运用Logistic模型和负二项回归模型分析了草原生态补奖政策对牧户生产决策行为的影响。结果表明:草原补奖政策对牧户的生产决策行为总体上产生了显著正向影响,但对半农半牧区牧户牧业生产决策行为的影响高于牧区;草原补奖政策并不是影响牧户生产决策行为的唯一因素,除补奖政策外,牧户生产决策行为影响因素具有非对称性。从前期牧户扩大牧业生产规模的可能性来看,牧区主要受家庭特征因素的影响,而半农半牧区主要受外部环境因素的影响。从后期牧户扩大多少牧业生产规模来看,牧区牧户关注更多的是资金、牧业生产的风险保障和饲草储备,而半农半牧区牧户则侧重于收入来源、市场行情和饲草储备。最后建议重视荒漠化草原类型,综合牧户家庭特征,实施差异化补贴;切合牧户需求,提高牧户主体决策水平,实现牧业生产效益最大化。     

Feline scratching and destruction and the effects of declawing

Scratching is an inherited, normal behavior in cats that is used as a visual and olfactory territorial mark and as a stretching exercise for the forelegs. In addition, it serves to condition the claws by removing the old, worn-out external sheath and exposing the healthy, new claw. When scratching occurs indoors, it often is disruptive and undesirable unless it can be directed to an acceptable object such as a scratching post. During playing, jumping, climbing, and aggressive displays, cats also may injure people with their claws. With appropriate behavior modification techniques, most undesirable scratching can be prevented or eliminated. Although somewhat controversial, declawing is another alternative for those owners who are unwilling or unable to control the undesirable scratching. Declawing can successfully correct most scratching problems with no adverse behavioral effects; in fact, most owners of declawed cats indicate that there is an improved relationship (bonding) between cat and owner. On the other hand, declawing is often unnecessary, because appropriate behavior modification techniques can be used to correct most scratching problems successfully.     

Opinions on the raising of pets by animal welfare standards

Keeping of small pet animals is still increasing and, in most cases, has a well-meaning motivation in the sense of a charitable engagement. However, false estimation of the specific requirements of these animals often results in inadequate keeping, feeding and housing conditions. The most frequent mistakes, which finally may cause abnormal behaviour or even illness, are a restricted radius of action, missing of social contacts and absence of adequate sexual partners.     

Tuberculosis in domestic animal species

M. bovis and M. caprae, members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), are the major causative agents of tuberculosis in domestic animals. Notably, M. bovis exhibits a wide host range; the infection has been reported in many domesticated animals and free or captive wildlife. Despite most of them acting as spill-over hosts in particular epidemiological scenarios, some domesticated species as pigs, camelids and goats may display high rates of infection and possibly play a role in the inter-species transmission of the disease. The aim of this review is to make an updated overview of the susceptibility and the role in the transmission of the disease of the most common domesticated animals species such as small ruminants, pigs, horses, camelids, dogs and cats. An overview of the diagnostic approaches to detect the infection in each of the species included in the review is also presented.     

Genetic analysis of a canine calicivirus: evidence for a new clade of animal caliciviruses.

This paper describes the relationship of a canine calicivirus, named No.48, to other human and animal caliciviruses, based on phylogeny of the 3' half of its genome. It was found that No.48 constitutes a unique lineage, most closely related but distinct from feline and San Miguel sea lion caliciviruses.     

Parenteral nutritional support in the small animal patient

Malnutrition has a direct relationship to complications associated with ineffective wound and fracture healing, inadequate immune responses, decreased tolerance to cancer therapy, muscle weakness, and certain organ dysfunctions (heart and liver). Malnutrition combined with disease, injury, or stress increases the metabolic rate in patients above that of resting. These patients are undergoing an accelerated form of starvation, which is more common than presently recognized in veterinary medicine and may be responsible for the less than optimal responses to proper therapies. Diseased or injured patients unable to digest or absorb nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract require additional medical support in the form of parenteral nutrition. Advances in parenteral solutions, products, and delivery systems make parenteral nutritional support possible in veterinary medicine, although not possible in all small animal practices. Proper patient selection, well-informed clients, dedicated technicians, and knowledgeable veterinarians are all essential in the successful implementation of parenteral nutritional support.     

Attitudes, procedures, and delivery of behavior services by veterinarians in small animal practice

OBJECTIVE: To survey veterinarians in small animal practice concerning their attitudes about delivery of behavior services, frequency of common behavior problems, manner in which services were provided, confidence in their clinical ability to treat these behavior problems, frequency of use of pharmacologic intervention, and number of dogs and cats euthanatized specifically because of behavior problems. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mail survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: Random sample of veterinarians in small animal practice in the United States. PROCEDURE: A self-administered mail survey was sent to a random sample of 2,000 veterinarians. Results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: It was estimated that approximately 224,000 dogs and cats were euthanatized annually in small animal veterinary practices in the United States because of behavior problems. Although veterinarians seemed unwilling to euthanatize animals for behavior problems solely on the basis of a client's request, many veterinarians did not routinely inquire about animal behavior and often were not confident in their clinical skills to treat behavior problems. Female veterinarians tended to be more proactive in addressing behavior problems and to have more positive attitudes than male veterinarians about the importance of animal behavior. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Efforts are needed to increase the number of veterinarians who systematically incorporate inquiries about animal behavior into routine clinical practice and to build the confidence of veterinarians for diagnosing and treating animal behavior problems.