Dog and owner characteristics affecting the dog–owner relationship

The nature of the relationship between companion dogs and their owners has important impact on the effect of life for both dog and owner. Identifying factors that affect the dog–owner relationship will assist the understanding of how the successful relationship is achieved and how the less successful relationship is mended, with potential benefits for the welfare of both species. In the present study, we investigated the effect of several dog and owner characteristics, including the personality of the dog, on the dog–owner relationship as measured by the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS). Data were collected by inviting owners of dogs that had been tested on the Danish Dog Mentality Assessment (DMA) to answer an online questionnaire. We were able to match 421 owner answers with their dogs' DMA test results. The questionnaire consisted of the 28 items of the MDORS, as well as questions about the owners and their dogs. Using factor analysis, 5 dog personality traits could be derived from the dogs' test results on the DMA. The predictive value of questionnaire-based owner and dog variables and the 5 dog personality traits on the dog–owner relationship was tested using multiple linear regressions: 1 for each of the 3 subscales of the MDORS. Overall, the variables investigated only predicted a small proportion of the variance in MDORS scores, and owner characteristics appeared to influence the dog–owner relationship more than dog personality traits did. We found that children in the family and using the dog only for company were negatively associated with the owners' perception of the relationship with their dogs. The only dog characteristics to predict the dog–owner relationship were fearfulness and fear-related behavior problems.     

Fatal thrombocytopenic hemorrhagic diathesis associated with dapsone administration to a dog

Dapsone was given for six days to a dog with chronic skin disease. The dog then became weak and anorectic, and it vomited and had purpura caused by severe thrombocytopenic hemorrhagic diathesis. Despite treatment, the dog died a week later. There were clinical and pathologic evidence that the dog's platelets and megakaryocytes had been destroyed during the first few days of dapsone therapy. It was concluded that the syndrome was dapsone-induced and that thrombocytopenia should be considered among the adverse reactions to dapsone in the dog.     

Calculations of energy requirements of dogs, cats and small psittacine birds

How much and on what should I feed my dog, cat or budgerigar? This must be a common question veterinarians are asked by their clients and possibly the most difficult question to answer because of the number of options available. When advising on the most appropriate daily feeding regimen for a companion animal, one must not only consider the animal's requirement for energy and other key nutrients at a particular bodyweight or age but also provide a food that is readily consumed by the pet. Feeding plays an important role in the relationship between the pet and its owner. The occasion provides the greatest pleasure for the owner when the pet has not only eaten the food supplied but also indicated, via its behaviour pattern, that the occasion was pleasurable. These factors, together with the animal's own individual preferences, will determine whether a particular food, even if nutritionally balanced, is eaten or not.     

Presumptive tremorgenic mycotoxicosis in a dog in New Zealand, after eating mouldy walnuts

CASE HISTORY: A 1-year-old, intact male Labrador-cross dog vomited after eating walnuts that had been on the ground for 5 months. The dog then developed tremors, ataxia, increased salivation, and hyperaesthesia. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The dog had marked generalised tremors, ataxia and a temperature of 39.9 degrees C. Both pupils were of normal size and normally responsive to light. Vomiting was induced, and walnut shell was visible in the vomitus. DIAGNOSIS: Due to the sudden onset of tremors, lack of exposure to other convulsive toxins, and the evidence of ingestion of walnuts, the provisional diagnosis was tremorgenic mycotoxicosis. The dog was treated symptomatically, and made a full recovery over 18 hours. Tremorgenic mycotoxins were detected within walnuts collected from the dog's environment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fungi that produce tremorgenic mycotoxins are present in New Zealand. Intoxication should be suspected in dogs that suddenly develop muscle tremors, especially if there is a history of ingestion of mouldy food 2-3 hours prior to the development of tremors.     

Subtotal colectomy for treatment of acquired megacolon in the dog and cat

The case records of 4 cats and 1 dog with megacolon and constipation were reviewed to study the history, clinical signs, pathologic changes, and longterm results of surgical treatment. The 4 cats had idiopathic megacolon. The dog had megacolon secondary to dietary indiscretion. All animals had radiographic evidence of a large colon, which was confirmed by exploratory coeliotomy. Two of the cats and the dog had an intraoperative finding of megacecum as well. Subtotal colectomy was performed in all cases, with the ileocolic valve being removed in 3 of these cases. End-to-side anastomosis was used to restore the integrity of the bowel. All animals were treated successfully with this surgical technique, as judged by clinical response and owner satisfaction. Histologically, there were no consistent lesions to explain the cause of this disease in the cats.     

Dietary patterns of two herbivorous rodents: Otomys unisulcatus and Parotomys brantsii in the Karoo

Differences and overlap in the diets of two sympatric, herbivorous rodents Otomys unisulcatus and Parotomys brantsii were investigated. Frequency of occurrence of plant species in the diets were compared with availability of the plants in the rodents' habitats. Both rodents are generalist herbivores, eating plants species in proportion to the availability in their habitats. Dietary patterns, diversity of diet and degree of overlap between rodent's diets are a function of food availability in the different habitats. It is suggested that these rodents separate niches on a spatial rather than trophic basis. Differences in dietary patterns are therefore not critical for niche separation but are the result of habitat segregation.     

Hyperactivity and alopecia associated with ingestion of valproic acid in a cat

A 1-year-old castrated male cat was evaluated because of alopecia of approximately 4 to 5 months' duration as well as hyperactive behavior. It was later determined that the cat was ingesting valproic acid by eating food to which it had been added for daily administration to a child in the household who had cerebral palsy. The clinical signs slowly resolved after the source of valproic acid was removed. This emphasizes the sensitivity of cats to drugs that are commonly used in humans. It was not determined whether the clinical signs that developed in this cat were caused by an adverse reaction or from toxicosis as a result of prolonged hepatic elimination of valproic acid, which requires glucuronide metabolism for disposition. However, the cat recovered completely following removal of the drug and prevention of further exposure. This report emphasizes the importance of obtaining a careful and complete history from the owner regarding an animal and its environment. In the cat of this report, the owner had not considered the impact of the presence of the drug in the child's food.     

Hepatotoxicosis in dogs consuming a diet of camel meat contaminated with indospicine

Background Four dogs presented with clinical signs of severe hepatic disease after consuming a commercial camel meat diet. Methods Laboratory investigation revealed evidence of severe liver disease, including markedly increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and total bilirubin concentration, and prolonged clotting times. Results Two dogs deteriorated despite supportive therapy and were euthanased. Histologically, both livers appeared similar, with the main lesion being extensive periacinar necrosis and haemorrhage. Indospicine, a toxic amino acid of plant origin, was detected in the serum and/or plasma from all four dogs, as well as in tissues of a dog that was necropsied and in a sample of the camel meat fed to this animal. Serum biochemistry tests using blood samples collected from 15 additional dogs identified as having eaten the diet detected indospicine was in the serum of 14 and 3 had increased ALT activity. One of the latter dogs subsequently developed clinical signs of severe liver disease and was euthanased. Conclusion To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of the detection of indospicine residues in camel meat and the occurrence of severe, sometimes fatal, liver disease in dogs that consumed this contaminated meat.     

Predatory aggression in a German shepherd dog

This article presents a clinical case of predatory aggression that represents a problem for public health. The patient was a 2-year-old male German shepherd referred to the behavior clinic at the School of Veterinary Medicine owing to its aggressive behavior toward people and other dogs. The dog tended to form a pack with the other dogs of the household and killed neighborhood dogs, cats, hens, and rabbits. The presumptive diagnosis was “predatory aggression” associated with “territorial and protective aggression.” The risk analysis determined that the dog should be euthanized. Nevertheless, the owner refused, and hence behavior modification and drug therapy were recommended. A year later, the dog killed again (another dog), indicating that despite the drug and behavioral treatment, it is likely that its predatory aggression will never be resolved.     

Dietary effects on canine and feline behavior.

The effects of dietary deficiency, including both malnutrition and deficiency of specific vitamins, on behavior is discussed with special emphasis on the growing kitten and puppy. The effect of caloric restriction on behavior is reviewed so that owners can be advised what to expect when their dog is placed on a reducing diet. The evidence for influence of dietary protein and tryptophan on canine aggression is presented. The effect of special diets on canine cognitive dysfunction is reviewed.     

Feeding for health

In the last decade there has been increasing emphasis on the role of healthy eating in the prevention of disease. The aim is to make people aware of the need to be more responsible for their own wellbeing. As attention is drawn to improving our diet there is now also greater awareness of the need to apply the same principles to our pets. I intend to discuss the key elements of dietary selection; nutrient content, energy, digestibility and palatability which are to be considered when formulating a healthy feeding regimen. Both physiological and environmental factors affect food intake and often animals' feeding habits will be affected by their owner. Finally, it must be remembered that cats and dogs are individuals and will always have their own particular food preferences. As long as a balanced diet is offered to the animals in sufficient quantities our pets should enjoy long and healthy lives.     

Lifestyle risk factors for progesterone-related diabetes mellitus in elkhounds - a case-control study

Objectives : This study aims to investigate lifestyle risk factors for the development of progesterone‐related diabetes mellitus in female elkhounds. Methods : Owners of 48 diabetic elkhounds and 58 healthy elkhounds were interviewed by phone concerning lifetime diet and exercise routines. A logistic model was developed to assess the impact of diet and exercise on diabetes diagnosis. The agreement between lifetime owner‐perceived body condition score (BCS) and veterinary‐perceived BCS at inclusion was estimated in healthy control dogs using the Kappa statistic. Results : The model showed that diabetic dogs had increased odds for having been overweight (before diagnosis) compared with controls (OR=2·8, 95% confidence interval 1·1–7·5, P=0·034). Although feeding other food than commercial dog feed was associated with diabetes case status, the effect was not significant after BCS was entered into the model. The overall agreement between lifetime owner‐ and veterinary‐perceived BCS at inclusion in the study was 75% and had a Kappa statistic of 0·16 (P=0·12). Clinical Significance : This study indicates that a high owner‐perceived lifetime BCS is associated with progesterone‐related diabetes in elkhounds.     

Treatment response and long term follow up in nineteen dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy in Australia

Chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs is common worldwide, but little data is available from Australia. The aim of this study was to describe treatment response and long‐term outcome in a cohort of dogs with CE. Dogs were prospectively enrolled at Murdoch University and the University of Melbourne. After diagnostic investigation to rule out diseases other than CE, dogs underwent sequential therapeutic trials until achieving a clinical response (diet then antibiotics, and finally immunosuppressants). Success was defined as 75% reduction of clinical severity for a minimum of five weeks. A total of 21 dogs were enrolled, and 19 completed the study. One dog was euthanised for lack of response to treatment and one excluded for lack of owner compliance. Most dogs responded to diet (n = 10), followed by antibiotics (n = 7) and immunosuppressants (n = 2). Long‐term remission (median 21.1 months, [3.0‐44.7]) was achieved in eight out of ten dietary responders without additional treatment. In contrast, only two dogs with antibiotic response remained in long‐term remission, of which one needed on‐going antibiotic treatment. Longer term remission was achieved in the two dogs treated with immunosuppressants with on‐going low dose therapy. This study concludes that most dogs referred for CE in Australia respond to dietary treatment (even after previous dietary interventions), and remission is long‐term compared to dogs treated with an antibiotic. Furthermore, the need for long‐term antibiotics in some dogs to maintain response may lead to antibiotic resistance. This study supports adequate dietary trials for CE in dogs, and a need for alternative second‐line treatments.     

Successful treatment of Solanum dulcamara intoxication in a Labrador retriever puppy

A 10-week-old intact male Labrador retriever dog was presented for acute onset of weakness, ataxia, and generalized muscle tremors. The puppy was suffering respiratory and central nervous system (CNS) depression, was mildly pyrexic, and vomited plant material that was identified as creeping nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). He responded well to supportive care and was discharged successfully. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of Solanum dulcamara toxicity occurring in a dog.     

The Perceptions of Dog Intelligence and Cognitive Skills (PoDIaCS) Survey

Dog cognition research is expanding, but few studies have examined people's perceptions of specific cognitive abilities in dogs. The aim of this study was to explore owner perceptions of dog cognitive abilities across different cognitive domains and to determine whether these were associated with the dog–owner relationship. We developed an online questionnaire and analyzed the results from 565 dog owners. Dog owners generally indicated the belief that dogs are socially intelligent and possess the capacity to learn social and general cognitive skills. One quarter of dog owners agreed or strongly agreed that dogs were smarter than most people, and 45.7% indicated the belief that a dog's mental ability is equal to “3-5 year old human children.” Perceived emotional owner–dog closeness correlated with all cognition ratings. A better understanding of dog cognitive abilities may help owners interpret dog behavior more appropriately, which may lead to a reduction in the number of dogs relinquished to shelters because of behavioral problems.     

Effects of diet on clinical signs of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of dietary modification on clinical signs of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in dogs. DESIGN: Blinded randomized crossover study. ANIMALS: 21 dogs with EPI. PROCEDURE: Dogs were fed the diet they received at home for 2 weeks. Thereafter, they received 3 special diets (a high-fat diet, a high-fiber diet, and a highly digestible low-residue diet) for 3 weeks each. Owners scored dogs daily for the last 2 weeks of each 3-week period for severity of 6 clinical signs including appetite, defecation frequency, consistency of feces, borborygmus, flatulence, and coprophagia. An EPI index was calculated for each dog by adding the daily scores for each clinical sign. RESULTS: Significant differences in daily EPI indices among diets were observed in 20 dogs. The original diet appeared to be the most suitable in 8 dogs, whereas the high-fat diet was most suitable in 5 dogs, the high-fiber diet was most suitable in 4 dogs, and the low-residue diet was most suitable in 2 dogs. In 1 dog, the lowest EPI index score was the same during the original diet and the high-fat diet feeding periods. One dog did not complete the feeding period for the high-fiber diet. Differences in mean EPI indices among diets were not significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that responses to different diets varied among individual dogs. Because responses to the feeding regimens were unpredictable, it is suggested that feeding regimens be individually formulated for dogs with EPI.     

Positive effect of spring advance on the diet quality of an alpine herbivore

Changes in vegetation phenology related to global warming are having alarming effects on the life history traits of many herbivore species. Such changes are particularly critical in alpine ecosystems, where strong climate limitations on plant growth make seasonal synchronization imperative for the growth, reproduction and survival of herbivores. However, despite the pivotal role of resource-use strategies on the performances of such species, few studies have explicitly assessed the mechanistic impact of climate change on their diets. We aimed to fill this gap by studying the effect of spring onset on the dietary composition and quality of a medium-size alpine herbivore while considering density-dependent processes and age- and sex-specific differences in foraging behavior. Using an exceptional, long-term (24 years) direct individual-based dietary monitoring of a Pyrenean chamois population (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica), we showed that ongoing earlier onsets of spring are leading to an earlier access to high-quality forage and therefore a higher diet quality at a fixed date, without apparent changes in diet composition. We also showed that at high densities, intraspecific competition reduced diet quality by driving animals to feed more on woody plants and less on nutritious forbs and graminoids. By assessing the mechanistic effects of global warming on the dietary patterns of species at the center of trophic networks, this study is an essential step for predictive models aiming at understanding the ongoing ecosystem consequences of the global climatic crisis.     

Reduction of behavioural disturbances in elderly dogs supplemented with a standardised Ginkgo leaf extract

In this open clinical trial conducted in 10 veterinary practices, Ginkgo leaf extract was administered as a dietary supplement to 42 elderly dogs (mean age 11.4 years) at a daily dose of 40 mg/ 10 kg body weight for 8 weeks. The "severity of the geriatric condition" in dogs with a history of geriatric behavioural disturbances (mean duration 12 months), was significantly reduced after 8 weeks of treatment (P = 0.0002). The positive effect was already apparent after 4 weeks. Thirty-six % of the dogs were completely free of clinical signs at study end. Overall efficacy of treatment as judged by the investigator was good or very good in 79% of the dogs. Five of six clinical sign scores (disorientation, sleep/activity changes, behavioural changes, general behaviour and general physical condition/vitality) also showed a significant decrease over the treatment period. In conclusion, these findings provide promising results that could increase the quality of life in the elderly dog and, as a consequence, that of the pet owner. The Ginkgo leaf extract appears to be an efficacious agent that provides a safe dietary supplement for the elderly dog with age-related behavioural disturbances.     

Dietary hyperthyroidism in dogs

Objectives: Evaluation of dogs with elevated plasma thyroxine concentration fed raw food before and after changing the diet. Method: Between 2006 and 2011 all dogs presented with an elevated plasma thyroxine concentration and a dietary history of feeding raw food were included. Thyroxine (reference interval: 19·3 to 51·5 nmol/L) and in many cases also thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations (reference interval: <0·30 ng/mL) were measured initially and after changing the diet. Results: Twelve dogs were presented with a median age of five years. The median plasma thyroxine concentration was 156·1 (range of 79·7 to 391·9) nmol/L; in six dogs, thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration was measured and was <0·03 ng/mL in five dogs and 0·05 ng/mL in one dog. Six dogs showed clinical signs such as weight loss, aggressiveness, tachycardia, panting and restlessness while six dogs had no clinical signs. After changing the diet eight dogs were examined: thyroxine concentration normalised in all dogs and clinical signs resolved. Clinical Significance: Dietary hyperthyroidism can be seen in dogs on a raw meat diet or fed fresh or dried gullets. Increased plasma thyroxine concentration in a dog, either with or without signs of hyperthyroidism, should prompt the veterinarian to obtain a thorough dietary history.