Internet survey of feeding, dietary supplement, and rehabilitative medical management use in flyball dogs.

A survey was designed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of feeding, dietary supplement use, and rehabilitative management use in flyball dogs. The survey was completed by 394 respondents. There were 12.5% (n = 49/392) and 33.4% (n = 131/392) of owners who fed home-cooked and raw diets, respectively, to their dogs. About 77.7% (n = 306/394) and 56.6% (n = 223/394) of owners used dietary supplement and rehabilitative management, respectively, primarily joint supplements (89.8%, n = 275/306) and chiropractic (73.1%, n = 163/223). Owners were more likely to use supplements (P = 0.0002) and rehabilitative management (P = 0.0001) when their dogs were injured. Dogs with more than one reported injury received rehabilitative management (P < 0.0001) and used supplement (P = 0.0006) more often. Key clinical message: There is considerable demand for non-commercial food, supplements, and rehabilitative management among flyball dog owners, underscoring the importance for veterinarians to understand the motivation of dog owners' decisions as well as the risks and benefits of these practices to ensure optimal outcomes for their patients.

Sondage par internet sur l'alimentation, les suppléments nutritifs et la gestion médicale de réadaptation de chiens pratiquant le flyball. Un sondage a été élaboré afin d'étudier la prévalence et les caractéristiques de l'alimentation, l'utilisation de suppléments nutritifs et la gestion de l'utilisation de la réadaptation chez les chiens pratiquant le flyball, Le sondage fut complété par 394 répondants. Il y avait 12,5 % (n = 49/392) et 33,4 % (n = 131/392) des propriétaires qui nourrissaient leurs chiens avec une alimentation cuite maison et une alimentation crue, respectivement. Environ 77,7 % (n = 306/394) et 56,6 % (n = 223/394) des propriétaires utilisaient des suppléments nutritifs et une gestion de réadaptation, respectivement, principalement des suppléments articulaires (89,8 %, n = 275/306) et de la chiropractie (73,1 %, n = 163/223). Les propriétaires étaient plus enclins à utiliser des suppléments (P = 0,0002) et une gestion de réadaptation (P = 0,0001) lorsque leurs chiens étaient blessés. Les chiens avec plus d'une blessure rapportée ont reçu une gestion de réadaptation (P < 0,0001) et utilisaient des suppléments (P = 0,0006) plus souvent.Message clinique clé:Il y a une demande considérable pour des aliments non-commerciaux, des suppléments et une gestion de la réadaptation chez les propriétaires de chiens pratiquant le flyball, soulignant l'importance pour les vétérinaires de comprendre la motivation des propriétaires de chiens dans leurs décisions aussi bien que les risques et bénéfices de ces pratiques afin d'assurer les meilleurs résultats pour leurs patients.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Internet Survey of Participant Demographics and Risk Factors for Injury in Flyball Dogs.

Background: Injury risk in canine sprinting sports, such as greyhound racing and agility, have been previously documented through various surveys. Flyball, another sprinting canine sport with similar athletic requirements to agility, has yet to be assessed for factors associated with injury. The aim of this study was to determine injury prevalence and assess for risk factors for injury in flyball dogs. Methods: Survey data from 375 flyball participants was collected and analyzed. Data collected included patient-specific variables, equipment use, training/competition practices, and injury occurrence and localization. Univariate analysis was utilized for all variables of interest, followed by backwards nominal logistic regression to identify variables associated with increased risk of injury, with a p < 0.05 defined as significant. Results: Thirty-nine percent of dogs incurred at least one injury with 172 injuries reported. Injuries to the limbs were common (30.8% affecting forelimbs, 25.6% affecting hindlimbs), with the paw or nail the most frequently reported injured area (19.2%). Only protective wrap use and age were significantly associated with injury in the final nominal regression model (p < 0.01). A biphasic injury rate with more injuries in younger dogs was observed, and injuries peaked by 6 years of age. Use of carpal wraps was positively associated with increased injury risk. Conclusions: These findings suggest an association between younger dogs and greater risk of injury, as well as identify a need to further investigate the utilization of wraps and potential association between injury risk among flyball participants.

Airborne Acoustic Perception by a Jumping Spider.

Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are famous for their visually driven behaviors [1]. Here, however, we present behavioral and neurophysiological evidence that these animals also perceive and respond to airborne acoustic stimuli, even when the distance between the animal and the sound source is relatively large (∼3 m) and with stimulus amplitudes at the position of the spider of ∼65 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Behavioral experiments with the jumping spider Phidippus audax reveal that these animals respond to low-frequency sounds (80 Hz; 65 dB SPL) by freezing-a common anti-predatory behavior characteristic of an acoustic startle response. Neurophysiological recordings from auditory-sensitive neural units in the brains of these jumping spiders showed responses to low-frequency tones (80 Hz at ∼65 dB SPL)-recordings that also represent the first record of acoustically responsive neural units in the jumping spider brain. Responses persisted even when the distances between spider and stimulus source exceeded 3 m and under anechoic conditions. Thus, these spiders appear able to detect airborne sound at distances in the acoustic far-field region, beyond the near-field range often thought to bound acoustic perception in arthropods that lack tympanic ears (e.g., spiders) [2]. Furthermore, direct mechanical stimulation of hairs on the patella of the foreleg was sufficient to generate responses in neural units that also responded to airborne acoustic stimuli-evidence that these hairs likely play a role in the detection of acoustic cues. We suggest that these auditory responses enable the detection of predators and facilitate an acoustic startle response. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Toward Understanding Women Who Request Removal of Silicone Breast Implants.

Fifty-five women were surveyed prior to explantation of their silicone breast implants regarding their reasons for having implants and their reasons for wanting them removed. Open-ended questions were used and content analysis was done to identify themes in their responses. Most of the women had implants for cosmetic reasons, with 28% having them for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. About one-third were actively or passively encouraged by their male partners, while nearly the same number reported they were influenced primarily by female friends or relatives. Regarding reasons for removal, the most commonly cited reasons were breast health problems (implants ruptured, painful or uncomfortable) cited by 59%, general health problems (48%), diagnosed with connective tissue disease (25%), and concern about long-term effects of silicone (18%). Some women blamed a broad array of health problems on the implants, and a few were angry about being given bland reassurances about the safety of the devices. However, the majority were uncertain about the role of silicone in their overall health but were hopeful that removal would restore their health and end their worries about long-term effects. The average subject was 34 years old when she had the implants to feel more attractive. Now she is 44 and more concerned about her health and her family than her physical appearance.