Behavioral evaluation of 65 aggressive dogs following a reported bite event.

Peer-reviewed scientific publications on the topic of dog bites are numerous. Montreal was one of the first municipalities in the province of Quebec to require mandatory assessment of aggressive dogs by veterinarians. In 2019, dogs reported as aggressive and considered a potential risk to public safety by city officials were scheduled for a mandatory behavioral assessment by a veterinarian. For the purpose of this study, only aggressive dogs that had bitten (N = 65) were included. The goals were to better describe the aggressive behavior of these dogs (behavioral sequence, type of aggression, and overall reactivity) and perhaps identify new possible risk factors related to severity of injury and dangerousness. The number of signs of increased arousal/reactivity was positively and significantly associated with the injury severity score. Dangerousness increased with size of dogs. Entire males were most dangerous despite absence of recognizable differences in body weight between neutered and unneutered males.

Évaluation comportementale de 65 chiens agressifs à la suite d'un épisode de morsure. Les publications scientifiques révisées par des pairs sur le sujet des morsures canines sont nombreuses. La Ville de Montréal fut parmi les premières municipalités du Québec à exiger l'évaluation comportementale de chiens agressifs par des médecins vétérinaires. En 2019, les chiens rapportés comme agressifs et jugés plus problématiques par des représentants de la ville furent soumis à une évaluation comportementale obligatoire par un médecin vétérinaire. Dans le cadre de cette étude, seuls les chiens ayant mordu (N = 65) ont été inclus. Les objectifs de l'étude étaient de mieux décrire le comportement agressif et d'identifier possiblement des facteurs de risques quant à la sévérité des blessures et la dangerosité des chiens. Le nombre de signes de réactivité augmentée était positivement et significativement associé avec le score de sévérité des blessures. La dangerosité augmentait avec le poids de l'animal. Les mâles entiers étaient plus dangereux que les mâles castrés et ce, sans différence de poids significative entre les chiens stérilisés ou entiers.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Pain behaviors before and after treatment of oral disease in cats using video assessment: a prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Specific behaviors associated with pain in cats with oral disease have not been consistently studied. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify pain-induced behaviors in cats before and after treatment of oral disease using video assessment. Twenty-four cats (6 ± 3.3 years old; 4.9 ± 1.7 kg) were included in a prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial. Cats were equally divided into minimal (G1: minimal dental treatment) or severe (G2: multiple dental extractions) oral disease groups. After acclimation at day 0, they underwent oral examination, radiographs, scaling, and dental extractions under general anesthesia (anesthetic protocol: acepromazine, hydromorphone, propofol, isoflurane, meloxicam, and local anesthetic blocks; day 1), and were discharged at day 6. Cats were filmed remotely for 10 min using a wide-angle glass lens camera before surgery (baseline) and throughout the study at different time points (36 h of video recording). The videos consisted of four parts namely general, playing, feeding and post-feeding behaviors. A board-certified behaviorist evaluated the duration/frequency of different behaviors based on an ethogram, which were analyzed using linear mixed models and a generalized linear model, respectively (p < 0.05). RESULTS: In comparison with baseline, duration of "not pawing the face" was significantly shorter at day 3 in G2. These cats spent significantly longer time "standing" and "laying" at days 3 and 6, respectively; G1 spent significantly less time "walking" and "standing" at days 3 and 4, respectively and significantly longer time "immobile" at day 3. Duration of "no/slow tail movement" was significantly longer in G2 than G1 at day 5. Duration of "pawing the ribbon" (playing) was significantly shorter in G2 than G1 at day 1. Feeding and post-feeding behaviors with soft food were not significantly different between groups or over time. Frequency of "difficulty grasping dry food" was significantly higher in G2 than G1 up to day 6. Frequency of post-feeding "head shaking" was significantly higher in both groups at day 6 when compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified pain-induced behaviors in cats undergoing treatment of oral disease. These behaviors may be used to differentiate painful versus pain-free cats in clinical practice.

Increased dystrophin production with golodirsen in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To report safety, pharmacokinetics, exon 53 skipping, and dystrophin expression in golodirsen-treated patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) amenable to exon 53 skipping. METHODS: Part 1 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week dose titration of once-weekly golodirsen; part 2 is an ongoing, open-label evaluation. Safety and pharmacokinetics were primary and secondary objectives of part 1. Primary biological outcome measures of part 2 were blinded exon skipping and dystrophin protein production on muscle biopsies (baseline, week 48) evaluated, respectively, using reverse transcription PCR and Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Twelve patients were randomized to receive golodirsen (n = 8) or placebo (n = 4) in part 1. All from part 1 plus 13 additional patients received 30 mg/kg golodirsen in part 2. Safety findings were consistent with those previously observed in pediatric patients with DMD. Most of the study drug was excreted within 4 hours following administration. A significant increase in exon 53 skipping was associated with ∼16-fold increase over baseline in dystrophin protein expression at week 48, with a mean percent normal dystrophin protein standard of 1.019% (range, 0.09%-4.30%). Sarcolemmal localization of dystrophin was demonstrated by significantly increased dystrophin-positive fibers (week 48, p < 0.001) and a positive correlation (Spearman r = 0.663; p < 0.001) with dystrophin protein change from baseline, measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: Golodirsen was well-tolerated; muscle biopsies from golodirsen-treated patients showed increased exon 53 skipping, dystrophin production, and correct dystrophin sarcolemmal localization. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02310906. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class I evidence that golodirsen is safe and Class IV evidence that it induces exon skipping and novel dystrophin as confirmed by 3 different assays.

Medical and behavioral evaluation of 8 cats presenting with fabric ingestion: An exploratory pilot study.

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).

Long-term treatment with eteplirsen in nonambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

This analysis aims to describe the outcomes of two nonambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who participated in two clinical studies. The two consecutive trials of eteplirsen (studies 201 and 202) were conducted in patients with DMD (N = 12) and confirmed genetic mutations amenable to exon 51 skipping.In study 201, 12 patients were randomized to receive once-weekly, double-blind intravenous infusions of eteplirsen 30 or 50 mg/kg or placebo for 24 weeks; patients then received open-label eteplirsen during weeks 25 through 28. All 12 patients continued onto open-label extension study 202 and received long-term treatment with eteplirsen. We compared cardiac, pulmonary, and upper limb function and dystrophin production in the nonambulatory twin patients versus the 10 ambulatory patients through 240 combined treatment weeks.Ten study patients remained ambulatory through both studies, while the identical twin patients both experienced early, rapid loss of ambulation. The twin patients had greater disease severity at baseline (6-minute walk test [6MWT], 330 and 256 m) versus the other patients (n = 10; 6MWT range, 341-418 m). They maintained cardiac and upper limb function through combined week 240, with outcomes similar to those of the patients who remained ambulatory. Dystrophin production was confirmed following eteplirsen treatment.Despite the loss of ambulation, other markers of disease progression remained relatively stable in the eteplirsen-treated twin patients and were similar to those of the ambulatory patients.

Determination of the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of trazodone and its effect on the activity level of domestic pigeons (Columba livia).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of trazodone and its effect on the activity of domestic pigeons (Columba livia). ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult male domestic pigeons. PROCEDURES: During the first of 3 experiments, birds received orally administered trazodone at doses ranging from 3 to 30 mg/kg to determine the dose for subsequent experiments. During the second experiment, each bird received 1 dose of trazodone (30 mg/kg, PO). Blood was collected for determination of plasma trazodone concentration before and at predetermined times for 24 hours after drug administration. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental analysis. During experiment 3, birds were instrumented with ultralightweight accelerometers and received orally administered trazodone (30 mg/kg) or an equal volume of water twice at a 48-hour interval. Activity of birds was monitored for 24 hours after administration of each treatment. RESULTS: No adverse effects were observed. Mean ± SD terminal half-life of trazodone was 5.65 ± 1.75 hours. Plasma trazodone concentrations remained > 0.130 µg/mL for approximately 20 hours. Trazodone did not affect the activity of birds during the first 2 and 15 hours after administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that oral administration of 1 dose (30 mg/kg) of trazodone to healthy pigeons was safe and resulted in plasma drug concentrations that were similar to those considered therapeutic in humans and dogs for up to 20 hours. Further research is necessary to characterize the pharmacokinetics for repeated doses as well as the clinical effects of trazodone in birds with behavior problems.

Validation of a Muscle-Specific Tissue Image Analysis Tool for Quantitative Assessment of Dystrophin Staining in Frozen Muscle Biopsies.

CONTEXT.­: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare, progressive, and fatal neuromuscular disease caused by dystrophin protein loss. Common investigational treatment approaches aim at increasing dystrophin expression in diseased muscle. Some clinical trials include assessments of novel dystrophin production as a surrogate biomarker of efficacy, which may predict a clinical benefit from treatment. OBJECTIVES.­: To establish an immunofluorescent scanning and digital image analysis workflow that provides an objective approach for staining intensity assessment of the immunofluorescence dystrophin labeling and determination of the percentage of biomarker-positive fibers in muscle cryosections. DESIGN.­: Optimal and repeatable digital image capture was achieved by a rigorously qualified fluorescent scanning process. After scanning qualification, the MuscleMap (Flagship Biosciences, Westminster, Colorado) algorithm was validated by comparing high-power microscopic field total and dystrophin-positive fiber counts obtained by trained pathologists to data derived by MuscleMap. Next, the algorithm was tested on whole-slide images of immunofluorescent-labeled muscle sections from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, and control patients. RESULTS.­: When used under the guidance of a trained pathologist, the digital image analysis tool met predefined validation criteria and demonstrated functional and statistical equivalence with manual assessment. This work is the first, to our knowledge, to qualify and validate immunofluorescent scanning and digital tissue image-analysis workflow, respectively, with the rigor required to support the clinical trial environments. CONCLUSIONS.­: MuscleMap enables analysis of all fibers within an entire muscle biopsy section and provides data on a fiber-by-fiber basis. This will allow future clinical trials to objectively investigate myofibers' dystrophin expression at a greater level of consistency and detail.

Eteplirsen treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Exon skipping and dystrophin production.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the quantification of novel dystrophin production in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) after long-term treatment with eteplirsen. METHODS: Clinical study 202 was an observational, open-label extension of the randomized, controlled study 201 assessing the safety and efficacy of eteplirsen in patients with DMD with a confirmed mutation in the DMD gene amenable to correction by skipping of exon 51. Patients received once-weekly IV doses of eteplirsen 30 or 50 mg/kg. Upper extremity muscle biopsy samples were collected at combined study week 180, blinded, and assessed for dystrophin-related content by Western blot, Bioquant software measurement of dystrophin-associated immunofluorescence intensity, and percent dystrophin-positive fibers (PDPF). Results were contrasted with matched untreated biopsies from patients with DMD. Reverse transcription PCR followed by Sanger sequencing of newly formed slice junctions was used to confirm the mechanism of action of eteplirsen. RESULTS: Reverse transcription PCR analysis and sequencing of the newly formed splice junction confirmed that 100% of treated patients displayed the expected skipped exon 51 sequence. In treated patients vs untreated controls, Western blot analysis of dystrophin content demonstrated an 11.6-fold increase (p = 0.007), and PDPF analysis demonstrated a 7.4-fold increase (p < 0.001). The PDPF findings were confirmed in a re-examination of the sample (15.5-fold increase, p < 0.001). Dystrophin immunofluorescence intensity was 2.4-fold greater in treated patients than in untreated controls (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Taken together, the 4 assays, each based on unique evaluation mechanisms, provided evidence of eteplirsen muscle cell penetration, exon skipping, and induction of novel dystrophin expression. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence of the muscle cell penetration, exon skipping, and induction of novel dystrophin expression by eteplirsen, as confirmed by 4 assays.

Developing a Plan to Treat Behavior Disorders.

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.

Low-level dystrophin expression attenuating the dystrophinopathy phenotype.

The reading frame rule suggests that Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) results from DMD mutations causing an out-of-frame transcript, whereas the milder Becker muscular dystrophy results from mutations causing an in-frame transcript. However, predicted nonsense mutations may instead result in altered splicing and an in-frame transcript. Here we report a 10-year-old boy with a predicted nonsense mutation in exon 42 who had a 6-minute walk time of 157% of that of age matched DMD controls, characterized as intermediate muscular dystrophy. RNA sequencing analysis from a muscle biopsy revealed only 6.0-9.8% of DMD transcripts were in-frame, excluding exon 42, and immunoblot demonstrated only 3.2% dystrophin protein expression. Another potential genetic modifier noted was homozygosity for the protective IAAM LTBP4 haplotype. This case suggests that very low levels of DMD exon skipping and dystrophin protein expression may result in amelioration of skeletal muscle weakness, a finding relevant to current dystrophin-restoring therapies.

Refinement of the Montreal Instrument for Cat Arthritis Testing, for Use by Veterinarians: detection of naturally occurring osteoarthritis in laboratory cats.

Objectives Feline osteoarthritis causes pain and disability. Detection and measurement is challenging, relying heavily on owner report. This study describes refinement of the Montreal Instrument for Cat Arthritis Testing, for Use by Veterinarians. Methods A video analysis of osteoarthritic (n = 6) and non-osteoarthritic (n = 4) cats facilitated expansion of scale items. Three successive therapeutic trials (using gabapentin, tramadol and oral transmucosal meloxicam spray) in laboratory cats with and without natural osteoarthritis (n = 12-20) permitted construct validation (assessments of disease status sensitivity and therapeutic responsiveness) and further scale refinements based on performance. Results Scale osteoarthritic sensitivity improved from phase I to phase III; phase III scale total score ( P = 0.0001) and 4/5 subcategories - body posture ( P = 0.0006), gait ( P = 0.0031), jumping (0.0824) and global distance examination ( P = 0.0001) - detected osteoarthritic cats. Total score inter-rater (intra-class correlation coefficients [ICC] = 0.64-0.75), intra-rater (ICC = 0.90-0.91) and overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.85) reliability were good to excellent. von Frey anesthesiometer-induced paw withdrawal threshold increased with gabapentin in phase I, in osteoarthritic cats ( P <0.001) but not in non-osteoarthritic cats ( P = 0.075). Night-time activity increased during gabapentin treatment. Objective measures also detected tramadol and/or meloxicam treatment effects in osteoarthritic cats in phases II and III. There was some treatment responsiveness: in phase I, 3/10 subcategory scores improved ( P <0.09) in treated osteoarthritic cats; in phase II, 3/8 subcategories improved; and in phase III, 1/5 subcategories improved ( P <0.096). Conclusions and relevance The revised scale detected naturally occurring osteoarthritis, but not treatment effects, in laboratory cats, suggesting future potential for screening of at-risk cats. Further study is needed to confirm reliability, validity (disease sensitivity and treatment responsiveness) and clinical feasibility, as well as cut-off scores for osteoarthritic vs non-osteoarthritic status, in client-owned cats.

Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophies: A Review of Animal Models, Clinical End Points, and Biomarker Quantification.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are neuromuscular disorders that primarily affect boys due to an X-linked mutation in the DMD gene, resulting in reduced to near absence of dystrophin or expression of truncated forms of dystrophin. Some newer therapeutic interventions aim to increase sarcolemmal dystrophin expression, and accurate dystrophin quantification is critical for demonstrating pharmacodynamic relationships in preclinical studies and clinical trials. Current challenges with measuring dystrophin include the variation in protein expression within individual muscle fibers and across whole muscle samples, the presence of preexisting dystrophin-positive revertant fibers, and trace amounts of residual dystrophin. Immunofluorescence quantification of dystrophin can overcome many of these challenges, but manual quantification of protein expression may be complicated by variations in the collection of images, reproducible scoring of fluorescent intensity, and bias introduced by manual scoring of typically only a few high-power fields. This review highlights the pathology of DMD and BMD, discusses animal models of DMD and BMD, and describes dystrophin biomarker quantitation in DMD and BMD, with several image analysis approaches, including a new automated method that evaluates protein expression of individual muscle fibers.

L'euthanasie de convenance des animaux de compagnie : portrait du dilemme au sein de la profession vétérinaire québécoise.

Convenience euthanasia in companion animals: Dilemma among veterinarians in Quebec. Many veterinarians working in the field of companion animal medicine have to deal with requests for convenience euthanasia in their practices. As it is the case in other medical fields, veterinarians are trained to treat their patients. It is thus easy to understand that veterinarians consider convenience euthanasia as one of the most difficult ethical dilemmas they have to deal with in their practice. Regulatory boundaries concerning the practice of euthanasia are limited to the method use to induce the death of the animal but do not give any indication as to what should be the proper circumstances surrounding the request. To date, there are few articles on this matter and the perspective of veterinarians on the subject was rarely addressed. This article reports results obtained following a study conducted upon Québec's veterinarians on the topic of convenience euthanasia. The data was obtained via an online survey created by the research team to evaluate the perspective of veterinarians on the topic, how they perceived consequences of convenience euthanasia and what were the solutions they would take into consideration in order to help the profession on resolving their dilemma. The data collected sheds light on the existing duality between double allegiance regarding the duties emerging from the relation with the patient (animal) and the client (pet owner) veterinarian are facing in their daily practice. On one hand veterinarians recognized that 'convenience euthanasia' is contrary to animal welfare. On the other hand they also recognized the pet owner's right to ask for 'convenience euthanasia' when he can no longer care for its pet.(Translated by Dr. Rathwell-Deault).

Expected consequences of convenience euthanasia perceived by veterinarians in Quebec.

In companion animal practice, convenience euthanasia (euthanasia of a physically and psychologically healthy animal) is recognized as one of the most difficult situations. There is little published on veterinary perceptions of the consequences of convenience euthanasia. A qualitative study on the subject based on interviews with 14 veterinarians was undertaken. The animal's interests in the dilemma of convenience euthanasia was taken into consideration, strictly from the point of view of the physical suffering and stress related to the procedure. The veterinarian's goal was to respect the animal's interests by controlling physical pain. Most often, veterinarians made their own interests and those of the owners a priority when considering the consequences of their decision to perform or refuse convenience euthanasia.

Conséquences attendues de l'euthanasie de commodité selon les perceptions des médecins vétérinaires au Québec. En pratique des animaux de compagnie, l'euthanasie de commodité (l'euthanasie d'un animal en bonne santé physique et psychologique) est reconnue comme l'une des situations les plus difficiles. Il y a eu peu de travaux publiés sur les perceptions vétérinaires des conséquences de l'euthanasie de commodité. Une étude qualitative sur le sujet basée sur des entrevues auprès de 14 médecins vétérinaires a été entreprise. Les intérêts de l'animal dans le dilemme de l'euthanasie de commodité ont été pris en considération, strictement du point de vue des souffrances physiques et du stress lié à l'intervention. Le but du médecin vétérinaire consistait à respecter les intérêts de l'animal en contrôlant la douleur physique. Le plus souvent, les médecins vétérinaires jugeaient leurs propres intérêts et ceux des propriétaires comme étant prioritaires lors de la considération des conséquences de leur décision de réaliser ou de refuser l'euthanasie de commodité.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Conceptualization of convenience euthanasia as an ethical dilemma for veterinarians in Quebec.

Companion animal welfare in our society has become increasingly important, yet many healthy animals are euthanized in veterinary facilities. How is it possible to explain the simultaneous presence of these opposing views of obligation toward animals? The goal of this study was to describe convenience euthanasia of companion animals as experienced by veterinarians in order to understand their thought processes. A qualitative study was undertaken to analyze the results of interviews of 14 veterinarians. The study showed that veterinarians interviewed assessed convenience euthanasia based mainly on their subjective evaluation of the owner-animal bond. As most owner-animal bonds stem from an anthropocentric point of view, decisions on convenience euthanasia were taken mostly by considering the veterinarian's and the client/owner's interests.

Conceptualisation de l'euthanasie pour des raisons de commodité comme dilemme éthique pour les vétérinaires du Québec. Le respect du bien-être des animaux de compagnie dans notre société est devenu de plus en plus important. Fait paradoxal, beaucoup d'animaux en santé sont euthanasiés dans les établissements vétérinaires. Comment peut-on expliquer la présence concomitante de ces vues opposées à l'égard des obligations envers les animaux? Le but de cette étude consistait à décrire l'euthanasie des animaux de compagnie pour des raisons de commodité selon les expériences des vétérinaires afin de comprendre leurs processus de réflexion. Une étude qualitative a été entreprise afin d'analyser les résultats d'entrevues avec 14 médecins vétérinaires. L'étude a signalé que les vétérinaires interviewés évaluaient l'euthanasie pour des raisons de commodité surtout en se basant sur leur évaluation subjective du lien entre le propriétaire et l'animal. Comme la majorité des liens entre propriétaires et animaux découlent d'un point de vue anthropocentrique, les décisions pour l'euthanasie pour des raisons de commodité étaient prises surtout en considérant l'intérêt du médecin vétérinaire et du client/propriétaire.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Validation de la version francophone d'une échelle composite multidimensionnelle pour l'évaluation de la douleur postopératoire chez les chats.

Validation of the French version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale for assessing postoperative pain in cats. The aim of this study was to validate the French version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale (MCPS-Fr) to assess postoperative pain in cats. Two veterinarians and one DVM student identified three domains of behavior based on video analyses: "psychomotor change", "protection of the painful area" and "physiological variables". Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.94, 0.90 and 0.61, respectively). Criterion validity was good to very good when evaluations from the three observers were compared with a "gold standard". Inter- and intra-rater reliability for each scale item were good to very good. The optimal cut-off point identified with a ROC curve was > 7 (scale range 0-30 points), with a sensitivity of 97.8% and specificity of 99.1%. The MCPS-Fr is a valid, reliable and responsive instrument for assessing acute pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.(Translated by Dr. Beatriz Monteiro).

Efficacy of a Feed Dispenser for Horses in Decreasing Cribbing Behaviour.

Cribbing is an oral stereotypy, tends to develop in captive animals as a means to cope with stress, and may be indicative of reduced welfare. Highly energetic diets ingested in a short time are one of the most relevant risk factors for the development of cribbing. The aim of this study was to verify whether feeding cribbing horses through a dispenser that delivers small quantities of concentrate when activated by the animal decreases cribbing behaviour, modifies feeding behaviour, or induces frustration. Ten horses (mean age 14 y), balanced for sex, breed, and size (mean height 162 cm), were divided into two groups of 5 horses each: Cribbing and Control. Animals were trained to use the dispenser and videorecorded continuously for 15 consecutive days from 1 h prior to feeding to 2 h after feeding in order to measure their behaviours. The feed dispenser, Quaryka®, induced an increase in time necessary to finish the ration in both groups of horses (P < 0.05). With Quaryka, cribbers showed a significant reduction of time spent cribbing (P < 0.05). After removal of the feed dispenser (Post-Quaryka), cribbing behaviour significantly increased. The use of Quaryka may be particularly beneficial in horses fed high-energy diets and ingesting the food too quickly.

Characterization of pica and chewing behaviors in privately owned cats: a case-control study.

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.

Preliminary Validation and Reliability Testing of the Montreal Instrument for Cat Arthritis Testing, for Use by Veterinarians, in a Colony of Laboratory Cats.

Subtle signs and conflicting physical and radiographic findings make feline osteoarthritis (OA) challenging to diagnose. A physical examination-based assessment was developed, consisting of eight items: Interaction, Exploration, Posture, Gait, Body Condition, Coat and Claws, (joint) Palpation-Findings, and Palpation-Cat Reaction. Content (experts) and face (veterinary students) validity were excellent. Construct validity, internal consistency, and intra- and inter-rater reliability were assessed via a pilot and main study, using laboratory-housed cats with and without OA. Gait distinguished OA status in the pilot ( p = 0.05) study. In the main study, no scale item achieved statistically significant OA detection. Forelimb peak vertical ground reaction force (PVF) correlated inversely with Gait (Rho s = -0.38 ( p = 0.03) to -0.41 ( p = 0.02)). Body Posture correlated with Gait, and inversely with forelimb PVF at two of three time points (Rho s = -0.38 ( p = 0.03) to -0.43 ( p = 0.01)). Palpation (Findings, Cat Reaction) did not distinguish OA from non-OA cats. Palpation-Cat Reaction (Forelimbs) correlated inversely with forelimb PVF at two time points (Rho s = -0.41 ( p = 0.02) to -0.41 ( p = 0.01)), but scores were highly variable, and poorly reliable. Gait and Posture require improved sensitivity, and Palpation should be interpreted cautiously, in diagnosing feline OA.

Star gazing in a dog: atypical manifestation of upper gastrointestinal disease.

A Yorkshire terrier dog was presented for episodes of "star gazing" behavior expressed as upward raising of the head and neck extension with subsequent staring at the ceiling or sky. Erosive gastritis with reflux esophagitis was diagnosed. Treatment of these conditions was associated with resolution of the behavior, suggesting a causal link.

Présentation atypique d'une douleur gastro-intestinale haute chez un chien. Un Yorkshire terrier a été présenté pour des épisodes fréquents de 'star gazing,' notés comme une extension du cou et une élévation de la tête vers le plafond ou le ciel. Une gastrite érosive ainsi qu'une oesophagite de reflux ont été diagnostiquées. Suite au traitement de ces deux conditions, une résolution clinique du comportement de 'star gazing' a été notée, suggérant que ce comportement représente une manifestation clinique des pathologies gastrointestinales identifiées.(Traduit par les auteurs).