ABSTRACT
We argue that there is currently an under-reporting of the ways in which pain can be associated with problem behavior, which is seriously limiting the recognition of this welfare problem. A review of the caseloads of 100 recent dog cases of several authors indicates that a conservative estimate of around a third of referred cases involve some form of painful condition, and in some instances, the figure may be nearly 80%. The relationship is often complex but always logical. Musculoskeletal but also painful gastro-intestinal and dermatological conditions are commonly recognized as significant to the animal's problem behavior. The potential importance of clinical abnormalities such as an unusual gait or unexplained behavioral signs should not be dismissed by clinicians in general practice, even when they are common within a given breed. In general, it is argued that clinicians should err on the side of caution when there is a suspicion that a patient could be in pain by carefully evaluating the patient's response to trial analgesia, even if a specific physical lesion has not been identified.
ABSTRACT
The aims of this pilot study were to: i) conduct a thorough behavioral and medical evaluation of cats presenting for chronic fabric ingestion; and ii) implement specific treatments for conditions identified and evaluate the outcome of treatment on fabric ingestion. Eight cats which ingested fabric at least weekly were recruited. Cat owners recorded daily baseline frequency of pica and gastrointestinal signs for 1 month prior to the behavioral and medical investigation and again during a follow-up period. Diagnoses were made and response to treatment was monitored and modified as needed. Abnormalities included mild hypercholesterolemia (n = 7), gastric or intestinal eosinophilic infiltrates (n = 6), suspected delayed gastric emptying (n = 4), suspected gastric reflux (n = 1), and Giardia spp. (n = 1). Four of the eight cats responded partially to treatments. Treatment of fabric ingestion in cats remains a challenge and further investigation is needed.
Évaluation médicale et comportementale de huit chats ingérant des tissus: une étude pilote. Les objectifs de cette étude pilote étaient: i) d'entreprendre une évaluation médicale et comportementale chez des chats présentant un comportement chronique d'ingestion de tissus; et ii) de mettre en place des traitements spécifiques pour les conditions identifiées et d'évaluer les résultats sur le comportement d'ingestion de tissus. Huit chats qui ingéraient hebdomadairement du tissu furent recrutés. Les propriétaires compilèrent la fréquence quotidienne de pica et les autres signes digestifs pendant un mois avant le début de l'étude puis de nouveau lors du suivi. À la suite du diagnostic posé, la réponse aux traitements de chaque chat fut suivie et les traitements étaient modifiés au besoin. Les changements observés incluaient une légère hypercholestérolémie (n = 7), une infiltration gastrique ou intestinale éosinophilique (n = 6), une suspicion de retard de vidange gastrique (n = 4), une suspicion de reflux gastrique (n = 1) et la présence de Giardia spp. (n = 1). La moitié des chats ont répondu partiellement aux traitements instaurés. Le traitement d'ingestion de tissus demeure un défi et de la recherche future s'avère nécessaire.(Traduit par les auteurs).
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases , Animals , Cats , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
When presented with a behavioral complaint, veterinarians must identify all contributing medical or behavioral disorders. Veterinarians can give valuable information regarding management and training tools. Owners should be directed to trainers or staff who are familiar with positive, reward-based training techniques. Psychotropic medication is prescribed to animals with a behavioral disorder (abnormal behavior), showing signs of anxiety and/or increased reactivity. Veterinarians need to collect a thorough behavioral history, understand the rationale behind the use of a drug class, and discuss expectations with pet owners.
Subject(s)
Animal Diseases/therapy , Behavior, Animal/physiology , Mental Disorders/veterinary , Animal Diseases/diagnosis , Animals , Cats , Dogs , Mental Disorders/therapy , Ownership , Pets , Veterinarians , Vocalization, AnimalABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize pica behavior in cats. METHODS: Cat owners were recruited to participate in a questionnaire survey on pica behavior exhibited by their cats. Emphasis was put on the type of item ingested. Questions on early history and environment, as well as general health and gastrointestinal signs, were asked. Owners of healthy cats not showing pica were also recruited into a control group. Associations between variables and groups were statistically tested. RESULTS: Pica was directed most commonly at shoelaces or threads, followed by plastic, fabric, other items, rubber, paper or cardboard and wood. Some cats ingested specific items but only chewed others. A significant positive association was found between sucking and ingesting fabric (P = 0.002). Ad libitum feeding was significantly lower in the pica group than the control group (P = 0.01). Prevalence of self-sucking behavior was significantly higher in the pica group than the control group (P = 0.001). Cats with pica vomited significantly more often than control cats (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Pica, the ingestion of inedible items, does not seem to be the consequence of a suboptimal environment or early weaning. Cats with pica were less commonly fed ad libitum than healthy cats. As frequently reported, pica and vomiting were related, but the causative association is not well established and thus warrants further investigation.
Subject(s)
Behavior, Animal , Cat Diseases/diagnosis , Mastication , Pica/diagnosis , Animals , Cat Diseases/therapy , Cats , Female , Male , Pets , Pica/physiopathology , Pica/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Vomiting/veterinaryABSTRACT
This article studied homophobic victimization and victimization based on gender nonconformity and its effects on the school and psychosocial adaptation of young Quebecers. A non-probabilistic sample of 262 youth (173 girls, 89 boys) aged 14 to 22 years old (M = 17.9 y.o.) was built. Bivariate comparisons and structural equation modeling were performed. Young LGBTQ showed lower sense of security at school, lower self-reported school achievement and higher psychological distress. Results indicated that homophobic victimization, friend social support, psychological distress and sense of security at school mediated school achievement of the young LGBTQ. Findings support the importance of implementing interventions to reduce homophobia in schools and highlight the central role played by peers in this endeavor.
ABSTRACT
Calcium (Ca2+) entry in cells is crucial for development and physiology of virtually all cell types. It acts as an intracellular (second) messenger to regulate a diverse array of cellular functions, from cell division and differentiation to cell death. Among candidates for Ca2+ entry in cells are-voltage-dependant Ca2+ channels (VDCCs), transient receptor potential (TRP)-related Ca2+ channels and store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) channels. Plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPases (PMCA) and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) are mainly responsible for Ca2+ extrusion. These different Ca2+channels/transporters and exchangers exhibit specific distribution and physiological properties. During pregnancy, the syncytiotrophoblast layer of the human placenta transfers as much as 30 g of Ca2+ from the mother to the fetus, especially in late gestation where Ca2+ transport through different channels must increase in response to the demands of accelerating bone mineralization of the fetus. The identification and characterization of the different Ca2+ channels/transporters and exchangers on the brush-border membrane (BBM) facing the maternal circulation, and the basal plasma membrane (BPM) facing the fetal circulation; placental membrane of the syncytiotrophoblasts have been the focus of numerous studies. This review discusses current views in this field regarding localization and functions during transcellular Ca2+ entry and extrusion from cells particularly in the placenta.
