Stress in dogs during grooming in a pet shop

The objective was to study the stress level in dogs during grooming services in a pet shop. A total of 55 grooming services carried out in a pet shop in the city of Janaúba, MG, were evaluated and divided into four categories according to sex and body weight. The flowchart of the grooming process contained six steps that began with the transportation of dogs to the pet shop and finished with their return to the place of origin. Behavioral, physiological, and blood component evaluations were performed at different steps of the process. Changes in dog behavior and physiological parameters were observed primarily upon arrival at the pet shop and during drying. Employee characteristics also influenced dogs' behaviors. However, dogs were able to thermoregulate and maintain the homeostasis of leukocytes, glucose and cortisol in the blood.(AU)

Enriquecimento ambiental para gatos em ambiente de internação / Environmental enrichment for inpatient cats / Enriquecimiento ambiental para gatos hospitalizados

Muitas patologias podem acometer felinos, que corriqueiramente determina a necessidade de atendimento veterinário. O ambiente no qual o gato está inserido adquire extrema importância, sendo que na maioria das clínicas e hospitais veterinários em que estes animais são mantidos em internação há condições aquém das ideais. O enriquecimento ambiental, constitui uma ferramenta que busca melhorar a qualidade de vida do animal, possibilitando assim a antecipação da recuperação e consequentemente melhores prognósticos ao animal. Para minimizar um possível nível de estresse que o ambiente de internação pode determinar ao animal, foi realizado um estudo experimental na Clínica Veterinária da Unigran em Dourados - MS, no qual 3 gatos saudáveis (2 machos e 1 fêmea) com idade aproximada de três anos foram mantidos em ambiente de internação para se realizar estudo comportamental dos mesmos por meio de gravações em vídeos e posterior análise utilizando-se etograma. Os vídeos eram efetuados em dois momentos, sendo no primeiro a baia de internação sem enriquecimento ambiental, enquanto no segundo eram introduzidos ítens (caixa de areia, cama e brinquedos) como enriquecimento. O enriquecimento ambiental ajudou de forma moderada alguns animais, na diminuição do tempo despendidos de alguns de seus comportamentos compreendidos na forma de estresse bem como observou-se que os animais de uma maneira geral no momento em que se realizava o manejo de enriquecimento ambiental possuiam maior interação com o ser humano e desta maneira pode-se recomendar o uso de formas que possam tornar o ambiente mais próximo ao encontrado no domicílio do felino.(AU)

Many pathologies can affect felines, which routinely determines the need for veterinary care. The environment in which the cat is inserted is extremely important, and in most veterinary clinics and hospitals where these animals are kept in hospital, there are less than ideal conditions. Environmental enrichment is a tool that seeks to improve the quality of life of the animal, thus enabling the anticipation of recovery and consequently better prognosis for the animal. In order to minimize a possible level of stress that the hospital environment can determine to the animal, an experimental study was carried out at the Unigran Veterinary Clinic in Dourados - MS, in which 3 healthy cats (2 males and 1 female) with an approximate age of three years they were kept in an inpatient environment to conduct a behavioral study of them through video recordings and subsequent analysis using ethogram. The videos were made in two moments, the first being the hospitalization cubicle without environmental enrichment, while the second was introducing items (sandbox, bed and toys) as enrichment. Environmental enrichment helped moderately some animals, in reducing the time spent on some of their behaviors included in the form of stress, as well as it was observed that animals in general at the time when the management of environmental enrichment was carried out had greater interaction with the human being and in this way it can be recommended the use of ways that can make the environment closer to that found in the feline's home.(AU)

Muchas patologías pueden afectar a los felinos, lo que determina de forma rutinaria la necesidad de atención veterinaria. El entorno en el que se inserta el gato es extremadamente importante, y en la mayoría de las clínicas veterinarias y hospitales donde estos animales se mantienen en el hospital, las condiciones no son ideales. El enriquecimiento ambiental es una herramienta que busca mejorar la calidad de vida del animal, posibilitando así la anticipación de la recuperación y consecuentemente un mejor pronóstico para el animal. Con el fin de minimizar un posible nivel de estrés que el entorno hospitalario puede determinar al animal, se realizó un estudio experimental en la Clínica Veterinaria Unigran en Dourados - MS, en el que 3 gatos sanos (2 machos y 1 hembra) con un aproximado Los tres años de edad fueron mantenidos en un ambiente de internación para realizar un estudio de comportamiento de los mismos mediante grabaciones de video y posterior análisis mediante etograma. Los videos se realizaron en dos momentos, el primero fue el cubículo de hospitalización sin enriquecimiento ambiental, mientras que el segundo fue introduciendo elementos (arenero, cama y juguetes) como enriquecimiento. El enriquecimiento ambiental ayudó moderadamente a algunos animales, a reducir el tiempo dedicado a algunas de sus conductas incluidas en la forma de estrés, así como también se observó que los animales en general en el momento en que se realizaba el manejo del enriquecimiento ambiental tenían mayor interacción con el ser humano y de esta forma se puede recomendar que el uso de formas que puedan acercar el entorno al que se encuentra en el hogar del felino.(AU)

Alimento para pets: saiba como reconhecer um produto de qualidade e prevenir a infestação por pragas e insetos / Pet food: learn how to recognize a quality product and prevent pest and insect infestation

A primeira coisa que pensamos quando se trata da qualidade de um alimento é o resultado da combinação dos ingredientes e sua formulação. No entanto, não podemos esquecer que esse quesito está relacionado ainda a outros pontos, como: origem dos ingredientes, características nutricionais, qualidade das matérias-primas e seus fornecedores, composição e o balanceamento da fórmula, métodos e tipos de embalagens utilizados, condições sanitárias e as diversas etapas do processo de fabricação e distribuição.(AU)

Plantas ornamentais e alimentos tóxicos para animais de companhia / Ornamental plants and toxic pet foods

Aliar o amor aos pets ao amor à vegetação requer conhecimento por parte de quem se utiliza das plantas ornamentais para decorar um lar. Isso porque algumas plantas podem causar intoxicações de leves a graves nos pets, sejam eles cães, gatos ou aves. Pensando nisso, um treinamento aos colaboradores dos grandes revendedores de materiais para pets e jardinagem pode ser uma estratégia informativa muito eficaz aos responsáveis pelos animais. Do mesmo modo, alguns clínicos de pequenos animais desconhecem a capacidade intoxicante das plantas e como agir, realizando um diagnóstico e tratamento errados. Para suprir essa lacuna, um dos meios utilizados foi a criação de um guia impresso, exclusivo para uso veterinário, com foto das plantas, sinais clínicos e tratamento. O mesmo acontece com os alimentos de origem animal tóxicos para pets. A informação de toda cadeia envolvida no atendimento e cuidados dos animais é uma forma de diminuir esses casos.(AU)

Pre-Columbian transregional captive rearing of Amazonian parrots in the Atacama Desert.

The feathers of tropical birds were one of the most significant symbols of economic, social, and sacred status in the pre-Columbian Americas. In the Andes, finely produced clothing and textiles containing multicolored feathers of tropical parrots materialized power, prestige, and distinction and were particularly prized by political and religious elites. Here we report 27 complete or partial remains of macaws and amazon parrots from five archaeological sites in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile to improve our understanding of their taxonomic identity, chronology, cultural context, and mechanisms of acquisition. We conducted a multiproxy archaeometric study that included zooarchaeological analysis, isotopic dietary reconstruction, accelerated mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating, and paleogenomic analysis. The results reveal that during the Late Intermediate Period (1100 to 1450 CE), Atacama oasis communities acquired scarlet macaws (Ara macao) and at least five additional translocated parrot species through vast exchange networks that extended more than 500 km toward the eastern Amazonian tropics. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes indicate that Atacama aviculturalists sustained these birds on diets rich in marine bird guano-fertilized maize-based foods. The captive rearing of these colorful, exotic, and charismatic birds served to unambiguously signal relational wealth in a context of emergent intercommunity competition.

An exploratory analysis of demography and movement patterns of dogs: New insights in the ecology of endemic Rocky Mountain-Spotted Fever in Mexicali, Mexico.

An outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) transmitted by the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) has emerged as a major human and animal health concern in Mexicali, Mexico. Due to high rates of brown dog tick infestation, susceptibility, and association with humans, dogs serve as sentinels and have a key role in the ecology of RMSF. A cross-sectional household questionnaire study was conducted in six rural and urban locations to characterize dog ecology and demography in RMSF high-and low-risk areas of Mexicali. In addition, we tracked movement patterns of 16 dogs using a GPS data logger. Of 253 households, 73% owned dogs, and dog ownership tended to be higher in high-risk areas, with a mean dog:human ratio of 0.43, compared with 0.3 in low-risk areas. Dogs in high-risk areas had higher fecundity and roamed more, but the dog density and numbers of free-roaming dogs were comparable. There was a higher proportion of younger dogs and lower proportion of older dogs in high-risk areas. The high proportion of immunologically naïve puppies in high risk areas could result in a lack of herd immunity leading to a more vulnerable dog and human population. The marked increase of space use of free-roaming dogs in high-risk areas suggests that unrestrained dogs could play an important role in spreading ticks and pathogens. As means to limit RMSF risk, practical changes could include increased efforts for spay-neuter and policies encouraging dog restraint to limit canine roaming and spread of ticks across communities; due to dog density is less impactful such policies may be more useful than restrictions on the number of owned dogs.

Estimation of free-roaming domestic dog population size: Investigation of three methods including an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) based approach.

Population size estimation is performed for several reasons including disease surveillance and control, for example to design adequate control strategies such as vaccination programs or to estimate a vaccination campaign coverage. In this study, we aimed at investigating the possibility of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to estimate the size of free-roaming domestic dog (FRDD) populations and compare the results with two regularly used methods for population estimations: foot-patrol transect survey and the human: dog ratio estimation. Three studies sites of one square kilometer were selected in Petén department, Guatemala. A door-to-door survey was conducted in which all available dogs were marked with a collar and owner were interviewed. The day after, UAV flight were performed twice during two consecutive days per study site. The UAV's camera was set to regularly take pictures and cover the entire surface of the selected areas. Simultaneously to the UAV's flight, a foot-patrol transect survey was performed and the number of collared and non-collared dogs were recorded. Data collected during the interviews and the number of dogs counted during the foot-patrol transects informed a capture-recapture (CR) model fit into a Bayesian inferential framework to estimate the dog population size, which was found to be 78, 259, and 413 in the three study sites. The difference of the CR model estimates compared to previously available dog census count (110 and 289) can be explained by the fact that the study population addressed by the different methods differs. The human: dog ratio covered the same study population as the dog census and tended to underestimate the FRDD population size (97 and 161). Under the conditions within this study, the total number of dogs identified on the UAV pictures was 11, 96, and 71 for the three regions (compared to the total number of dogs counted during the foot-patrol transects of 112, 354 and 211). In addition, the quality of the UAV pictures was not sufficient to assess the presence of a mark on the spotted dogs. Therefore, no CR model could be implemented to estimate the size of the FRDD using UAV. We discussed ways for improving the use of UAV for this purpose, such as flying at a lower altitude in study area wisely chosen. We also suggest to investigate the possibility of using infrared camera and automatic detection of the dogs to increase visibility of the dogs in the pictures and limit workload of finding them. Finally, we discuss the need of using models, such as spatial capture-recapture models to obtain reliable estimates of the FRDD population. This publication may provide helpful directions to design dog population size estimation methods using UAV.

[Pet cats, medicine and art]. / Mascotas felinas, medicina y arte.

The author in this short text remembers the passing of a beloved pet cat. Cats are beautiful animals and wonderful companions. They evolved together with humans in Africa, subsequently spread over the five continents with them, and became the subject of many human cultural activities, including art, poetry and religion. Abandoned and roaming free, cats readily return to the wild, potentially acquiring many zoonotic infections. Surprisingly, feline company is increasingly used for therapy of mental and other illnesses such as cardiovascular disorders. Responsible ownership and good veterinary care of these marvelous animals under the One Health paradigm are essential to their well-being as well as to that of humans. They are an ethical and small price to pay for the affectively rewarding relationships humans have with these endearing and evocative animals.

Mascotas felinas, medicina y arte / Pet cats, medicine and art

The author in this short text remembers the passing of a beloved pet cat. Cats are beautiful animals and wonderful companions. They evolved together with humans in Africa, subsequently spread over the five continents with them, and became the subject of many human cultural activities, including art, poetry and religion. Abandoned and roaming free, cats readily return to the wild, potentially acquiring many zoonotic infections. Surprisingly, feline company is increasingly used for therapy of mental and other illnesses such as cardiovascular disorders. Responsible ownership and good veterinary care of these marvelous animals under the One Health paradigm are essential to their well-being as well as to that of humans. They are an ethical and small price to pay for the affectively rewarding relationships humans have with these endearing and evocative animals.

Companion animal demography and population management in Pinhais, Brazil.

We used a two-stage cluster sampling design to estimate the population sizes of owned dogs and cats in Pinhais, Brazil. For dogs, we simulated the population dynamics using a compartmental model of coupled differential equations, incorporating uncertainties in a global sensitivity analysis and identifying the most influential parameters through local sensitivity analysis. The calibration with the known human population improved precision in population size for dogs but not for cats. Population pyramids had a wide base, and the apparent population turnover was lower than the net population gain. Most immigrants came from the state capital. Projected dog and human growth rates between 2017 and 2027 were positive and similar, while the projected proportion of sterilized dogs decreased over the same period. The main reason provided for not sterilizing animals was the cost of the procedure, even though there were free alternatives. The demographic characterization made in the present study will serve for future comparisons and as a reference in epidemiological contexts. The simulations indicated what to expect in specific scenarios and stressed the need to increase current sterilization rates.

Diagnóstico de lesões tumorais em caninos e felinos: concordância entre resultados de exames citopatológicos e histopatológicos / Diagnosis of tumoral lesions in dogs and cats: concordance between cytopathological and histopathological results

Cytopathology is increasingly utilized in veterinary medicine practice. Advantages include minimal invasion, minor pain to the animal, low cost and few equipment. Disadvantages are high percentage of inconclusive diagnostics and need for training for sampling, preparation and interpretation. This work aimed to evaluate the concordance between cytopathological and histopathological exams performed at the Pathology Laboratory of Veterinary Hospital of ULBRA. The results of cytopathological exams succeeded by histopathology obtained by biopsy or necropsy were analyzed. Eighty-four samples from tumoral masses were studied, 13 (15, 47%) of epithelial origin, 21 (25%) of mesenchymal origin, 23 (27, 38%) of round cells and 27 (32, 14%) of mammary tumors. Among the epithelial tumors, discrepancy occurred only in one case. In mesenchymal tumors, concordance occurred in 76, 19% of the cases. Both exams were concordant in all cases of bone aspirates. Among 23 cases of round cell tumors, 20 presented concordant diagnostics. Mastocytomas were correctly diagnosed by cytopathological exam in all cases but one. The concordance among mammary tumors occurred only in nine of 27 cases (33,33%). It is concluded that the concordance between cytopathological and histopathological exams is high for epithelial and round cell tumors, being low for mesenchymal and mammary tumors.(AU)

A citopatologia é cada vez mais utilizada na prática médico-veterinária. As vantagens incluem mínima invasividade, menor sofrimento, baixo custo e necessidade de poucos equipamentos. As desvantagens são alta percentagem de resultados inconclusivos e necessidade de habilidade na coleta, preparo e interpretação. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a concordância entre os resultados de exames citopatológicos e histopatológicos realizados no Laboratório de Patologia do Hospital Veterinário (Ulbra). Foram analisados resultados de exames citopatológicos sucedidos por histopatológicos de biópsias ou necropsias. 84 amostras de massas tumorais foram estudadas, 13 (15,47 %) de origem epitelial, 21 (25%) de origem mesenquimal, 23 (27,38%) de células redondas e 27 (32,14%) de tumores mamários. Nos de origem epitelial houve discrepância somente em um caso. Nos mesenquimais houve acerto em 76,19% dos casos. O acerto nos casos de aspirados de ossos foi de 100%. Dentre 23 casos de tumores de células redondas, 20 tiveram resultados concordantes. Os mastocitomas foram corretamente diagnosticados, com exceção de um. A concordância nos tumores mamários ocorreu somente em nove de 27 casos (33, 33%). Conclui-se que a concordância entre os dois tipos de exame é alta para os casos de tumores epiteliais e de células redondas, sendo baixa para tumores mesenquimais e mamários.(AU)

Diagnóstico de lesões tumorais em caninos e felinos: concordância entre resultados de exames citopatológicos e histopatológicos / Diagnosis of tumoral lesions in dogs and cats: concordance between cytopathological and histopathological results

Cytopathology is increasingly utilized in veterinary medicine practice. Advantages include minimal invasion, minor pain to the animal, low cost and few equipment. Disadvantages are high percentage of inconclusive diagnostics and need for training for sampling, preparation and interpretation. This work aimed to evaluate the concordance between cytopathological and histopathological exams performed at the Pathology Laboratory of Veterinary Hospital of ULBRA. The results of cytopathological exams succeeded by histopathology obtained by biopsy or necropsy were analyzed. Eighty-four samples from tumoral masses were studied, 13 (15, 47%) of epithelial origin, 21 (25%) of mesenchymal origin, 23 (27, 38%) of round cells and 27 (32, 14%) of mammary tumors. Among the epithelial tumors, discrepancy occurred only in one case. In mesenchymal tumors, concordance occurred in 76, 19% of the cases. Both exams were concordant in all cases of bone aspirates. Among 23 cases of round cell tumors, 20 presented concordant diagnostics. Mastocytomas were correctly diagnosed by cytopathological exam in all cases but one. The concordance among mammary tumors occurred only in nine of 27 cases (33,33%). It is concluded that the concordance between cytopathological and histopathological exams is high for epithelial and round cell tumors, being low for mesenchymal and mammary tumors.

A citopatologia é cada vez mais utilizada na prática médico-veterinária. As vantagens incluem mínima invasividade, menor sofrimento, baixo custo e necessidade de poucos equipamentos. As desvantagens são alta percentagem de resultados inconclusivos e necessidade de habilidade na coleta, preparo e interpretação. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a concordância entre os resultados de exames citopatológicos e histopatológicos realizados no Laboratório de Patologia do Hospital Veterinário (Ulbra). Foram analisados resultados de exames citopatológicos sucedidos por histopatológicos de biópsias ou necropsias. 84 amostras de massas tumorais foram estudadas, 13 (15,47 %) de origem epitelial, 21 (25%) de origem mesenquimal, 23 (27,38%) de células redondas e 27 (32,14%) de tumores mamários. Nos de origem epitelial houve discrepância somente em um caso. Nos mesenquimais houve acerto em 76,19% dos casos. O acerto nos casos de aspirados de ossos foi de 100%. Dentre 23 casos de tumores de células redondas, 20 tiveram resultados concordantes. Os mastocitomas foram corretamente diagnosticados, com exceção de um. A concordância nos tumores mamários ocorreu somente em nove de 27 casos (33, 33%). Conclui-se que a concordância entre os dois tipos de exame é alta para os casos de tumores epiteliais e de células redondas, sendo baixa para tumores mesenquimais e mamários.

Domestic dog health worsens with socio-economic deprivation of their home communities.

Dogs play an important role in infectious disease transmission as reservoir hosts of many zoonotic and wildlife pathogens. Nevertheless, unlike wildlife species involved in the life cycle of pathogens, whose health status might be a direct reflection of their fitness and competitive abilities, dog health condition could be sensitive to socio-economic factors impacting the well-being of their owners. Here, we compare several dog health indicators in three rural communities of Panama with different degrees of socio-economic deprivation. From a total of 78 individuals, we collected blood and fecal samples, and assessed their body condition. With the blood samples, we performed routine hematologic evaluation (complete blood counts) and measured cytokine levels (Interferon-γ and Interleukin-10) through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. With the fecal samples we diagnosed helminthiases. Dogs were also serologically tested for exposure to Trypanosoma cruzi and canine distemper virus, and molecular tests were done to assess T. cruzi infection status. We found significant differences between dog health measurements, pathogen prevalence, parasite richness, and economic status of the human communities where the dogs lived. We found dogs that were less healthy, more likely to be infected with zoonotic pathogens, and more likely to be seropositive to canine distemper virus in the communities with lower economic status. This study concludes that isolated communities of lower economic status in Panama may have less healthy dogs that could become major reservoirs in the transmission of diseases to humans and sympatric wildlife.

Insetos-praga em alimento industrializado para animais de estimação / Pest insects in industrialized pet food

Insetos-praga, principalmente das ordens Coleoptera e Lepidoptera, assumem um papel importante em grãos e ração animal causando sérios danos qualitativos e quantitativos a estes alimentos e trazendo prejuízos financeiros por inviabilizar sua comercialização. Devido à carência de informações sobre estas pragas no Nordeste brasileiro, esta revisão de literatura visa contribuir para um melhor conhecimento deste problema, apresentando aspectos relacionados ao mercado de alimentos industrializados, susceptíveis aos insetos, distribuição geográfica dos coleópteros, perdas nutricionais e econômicas, bem como aos diversos métodos de controle.(AU)

Insect pests, particularly the orders Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, play an important role in grain and animal feed causing serious damage to these qualitative and quantitative food and bringing financial losses derail your marketing. Due to lack of information about these pests in the Brazilian Northeast, this literature review aims to contribute to a better understanding of this problem, presenting aspects related to market foods, susceptible to insects, geographic distribution of beetles, nutritional and economic losses, as well as control methods.(AU)