Search Results (125)

Assessing the externalities of nature conservation policies, conceived as unintended socio-economic and ecological effects, is essential for evaluating societal costs and improving conservation strategies. This is particularly relevant in the case of wolf conservation and its interaction with traditional pastoralism, an animal farming system that provides valuable ecosystem services but is rapidly declining across Europe. We used structured questionnaires with Spanish herders to evaluate the environmental and societal impacts of livestock-guarding dogs (LGDs) as a measure to prevent wolf attacks. On average, farms with 750 sheep employed five mastiffs and three sheepdogs, with LGD numbers increasing in wolf-abundant areas. The number of mastiffs rose proportionally with herd size (0.6 mastiffs per 100 sheep), whereas sheepdog numbers plateaued. The estimated annual cost per LGD was €364, with LGDs contributing approximately 7% of a farm’s carbon emissions. Sixty-one percent of herders reported minor societal conflicts involving LGDs, primarily dogs chasing pedestrians or cyclists, while 1% involved minor bites. The likelihood of societal conflict increased with the number of LGDs on a farm. Additionally, each LGD caused an estimated 0.71 wildlife fatalities per year, mostly involving small mammals such as rabbits, hares, and young ungulates. These findings highlight the need for urgent coexistence strategies to balance effective wolf conservation with the sustainability of traditional pastoralism. Without targeted intervention, the continued expansion of Spain’s wolf population may increase costs to herders and foster growing public opposition to wolf conservation efforts. Full article

Research on the post-deployment reintegration needs of women veterans is limited. Non-traditional support may enhance mental health. Relationships with animals and volunteering may aid those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Using the biopsychosocial model, we examined whether participation in an 8-week service dog training program (SDTP) affected telomere length (TL), heart rate variability (HRV), PTSD symptom severity, perceived stress, and anxiety in female veterans with PTSD, as well as whether combat exposure influenced these relationships. Female veterans (ages 32–72, M = 45.9, SD = 11.8) with PTSD were randomized to either the SDTP group (n = 13) or a comparison group (n = 15) that received dog training video content. The interventions lasted one hour weekly for 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. Linear mixed models with random intercepts examined changes from pre- to post-intervention and compared changes by group and combat exposure. TL changes differed [F(1,11.65) = 3.543, p = 0.085] by intervention. In the SDTP group, TL increased, indicating reduced cellular senescence (i.e., slower biological aging), whereas TL decreased in the CI group. Combat exposure moderated these changes [F(1,12.36) = 5.41, p = 0.038]. HRV changed by intervention group [F(1,389.08) = 10.623, p = 0.001]. HRV decreased (stress increased) in the SDTP group but not in the CI group. Combat exposure did not moderate HRV changes. PTSD symptom severity [F(1,48.04) = 19.22, p < 0.001], perceived stress [F(1,48.48) = 14.65, p < 0.001], and anxiety [F(1,47.30) = 6.624, p = 0.013] decreased significantly from pre- to post-interventions; the decreases did not differ by intervention or combat exposure. Full article

Background: Assistance dogs can support children with autism by improving emotional regulation and social functioning, but access is limited. The Family Dog Service was developed to help families of autistic children gain similar benefits through companion dogs. It offers tailored support for selecting, training, and integrating a dog into the home. This study explored parent perspectives on the service and perceived impacts of companion dogs. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among UK residents who attended Family Dog Service workshops. The survey included demographic data, mental health and wellbeing measures, and questions about human–animal interactions. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively; qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis. Results: Of 118 participants, 101 (85.6%) owned a dog, while 17 (14.4%) were considering acquisition. Most owners reported improvements in their child’s mood (75.2%; n = 76) and reduced anxiety-related behaviours (70.3%, n = 71) following dog acquisition. Nearly half (49.5%, n = 50) rated the child–dog relationship as ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ positive within the first month, increasing to 86.1% (n = 87) by the time of data collection. Families also reported enhanced dynamics and reduced caregiver stress. Despite some challenges, the service was valued for its autism-specific guidance and ongoing support. Conclusions: The Family Dog Service may offer a practical, accessible alternative to assistance dogs, supporting autistic children’s wellbeing and strengthening family relationships through positive interactions between children and their dogs. Full article

This case report investigated the cause of visual impairment at night in Beagle dogs in a family of 12 individuals. Four related adult male Beagles with impaired night vision and eight related Beagles (three females, five males) underwent a complete ophthalmological examination at the ophthalmology service. Electroretinography was performed on four dogs with impaired night vision after dark adaptation to evaluate retinal function. Retinoscopy was performed in 12 dogs in a standing or sitting position to assess refraction. Axial globe measurements were conducted using B-scan ultrasonography in nine dogs. In total, twelve adult Beagles (nine males, three females) from four generations were evaluated, with nine dogs showing impaired night vision. Ophthalmic examinations revealed no abnormalities that could explain the visual impairment. Electroretinography showed normal retinal function. In total, 83.3% (10/12) of the dogs were myopic, with refractive errors ranging from −1.25 to −6.25 diopters (D). All dogs with night vision impairment were significantly more myopic (median: −4.88 D) than those without impairment (median: −1.25 D). In two myopic dogs, the insertion of contact lenses improved navigation in the dark maze test. Myopic dogs showed a significantly greater vitreous body depth (10.1 mm; range 9.7–10.3 mm) compared to emmetropic dogs (9.5 mm; range: 9.4–9.6 mm). These findings suggest that in dogs with night vision impairment, retinoscopy should be included in the ophthalmological exam to exclude myopia as a potential cause. Further research is needed to determine the cause of myopia in the tested Beagles and to investigate possible genetic factors. Full article

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is a major zoonosis that poses a growing challenge to public health services, as successful disease management requires sensitive, specific, and rapid diagnostic methods capable of identifying infected animals even at a subclinical level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the recombinant chimeric protein rMELEISH3 as an antigen in ELISA assays for the robust diagnosis of CVL. The protein was expressed in a bacterial system, purified by affinity chromatography, and evaluated through a series of serological assays using serum samples from dogs infected with Leishmania infantum. ROC curve analysis revealed a diagnostic sensitivity of 96.4%, a specificity of 100%, and an area under the curve of 0.996, indicating excellent discriminatory power. Furthermore, rMELEISH3 was recognized by antibodies present in the serum of dogs with low parasite loads, reinforcing the diagnostic potential of the assay in asymptomatic cases. It is concluded that the use of the recombinant antigen rMELEISH3 could significantly contribute to the improvement of CVL surveillance and control programs in endemic areas of Brazil and other countries, by offering a safe, reproducible and effective alternative to the methods currently recommended for the serological diagnosis of the disease. Full article

(1) The beach areas of Galveston, Texas, USA are heavily used for recreational activities and often experience elevated fecal indicator bacteria levels, representing a potential threat to ecosystem services, human health, and tourism-based economies that rely on suitable water quality. (2) During the span of 15 months (March 2022–May 2023), water samples that exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-accepted alternative Beach Action Value (BAV) for enterococci of 104 MPN/100 mL were analyzed via microbial source tracking (MST) through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays. The Bacteroides HF183 and DogBact as well as the Catellicoccus LeeSeaGull markers were used to detect human, dog, and gull fecal sources, respectively. The qPCR MST data were then utilized in a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to assess human health risks. Additionally, samples collected in July and August 2022 were sequenced for 16S rRNA and matched with fecal sources through the Bayesian SourceTracker2 program. (3) Overall, 26% of the 110 samples with enterococci exceedances were positive for at least one of the MST markers. Gull was revealed to be the primary source of identified fecal contamination through qPCR and SourceTracker2. Human contamination was detected at very low levels (<1%), whereas dog contamination was found to co-occur with human contamination through qPCR. QMRA identified Campylobacter from canine sources as being the primary driver for human health risks for contact recreation for both adults and children. (4) These MST results coupled with QMRA provide important insight into water quality in Galveston that can inform future water quality and beach management decisions that prioritize public health risks. Full article

Animal-assisted services (AAS) have been shown in multiple studies to improve a range of human psychological and physical health benefits. The aim of this pilot study is to investigate simultaneously two psycho-physiological indicators of the valence of interactions in the context of dog-assisted activities in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Ten children and four dogs experienced in AAS were involved, lasting 90 days, in weekly one-hour sessions. Before and after each session, saliva was taken in both dogs and children for determination of salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels. In addition, at the end of the program, a questionnaire was administered to both parents and dog handlers to assess the impact of AAS in children and dogs. Our results revealed no statistically significant change in cortisol and oxytocin levels in dogs enrolled throughout the sessions, while an increasing trend was noted for salivary oxytocin in 50% of the dogs and for salivary cortisol in all dogs at the end of the AAS, when compared to the pre-AAS. Salivary cortisol measurement in children with an autistic neurotype highlighted a statistically significant increase at the end of the AAS when compared to the pre-AAS, but this was not observed for oxytocin level evaluations. Regarding the perception of the children’s parents about the effects of the program, our data reported an improvement in sociability of the children in 100 percent of the cases. Furthermore, dog handlers reported an absence of signs of stress in their dogs during the sessions. Although the perceived effectiveness and quality of AAS has been demonstrated in the literature, the need to carefully select the dogs involved, considering their skills and needs, is critical to ensure their well-being in various therapeutic settings. Full article

This paper reports findings on the social patterning of dog bite injuries in Scotland and discusses their implications for prevention policies. Previous studies have shown evidence of social inequalities in dog bites in other countries, but this analysis provides new evidence about Scotland. Three sources of health record data are used (NHS 24 (telephone) records, accident and emergency department records, and hospital admissions records). The records span the period of 2007–2019 and combine information on 59,111 health records involving injuries caused by dogs (from 48,599 different individuals). The results are presented, summarising the volume of dog bite injuries across time periods by the age of respondents, the location of the incident, and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation categorisation for their locality. The results suggest consistent patterns of social inequality in injuries caused by dogs. We argue that the most important finding concerns the higher risk for people from more deprived areas, and we discuss mechanisms that might lie behind the patterns and how policies might respond to them. Existing policies focus on the breed of dog and punitive strategies, but we argue that different approaches are more likely to be effective in addressing a socially stratified public health issue. Full article

The aim of this work is to explore and understand the lived experience of nurses who chose to schedule visits with an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), i.e., a dog, during their working shift. Background/Objectives: Nursing practice is rigorous, weighted with intense responsibility that creates an environment conducive to stress and anxiety for the nurses, who have reported a higher level of work stress than other healthcare professionals. Knowing and addressing the factors impacting mental health/nurses’ well-being is crucial to providing care to patients. Stressful work environments result in burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, anxiety, suicide, and resignation. Understanding nurses’ perspectives on work related stress encourages hospitals to structure practices supporting nurses’ mental health and ability to provide quality care. Methods: A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach was employed. Participants scheduled six weekly 10-min visits with Rex, a certified Service Dog for anxiety depression and PTSD, and registered ESA. A sample of 11 RNs participated in Rex visits at the workplace; field notes were taken during observations of visits. Semi-structured 30-min interviews conducted via Zoom, audio-recorded, and transcribed with NVivo were conducted. Results: Data were examined with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four main themes emerged: Preparing for the unknown, Doing the work, Refueling and resetting-Visits with Rex, What about nurses? Conclusions: This study highlights the need for nurses and hospital systems to incorporate self-care/self-reflection, including time/opportunities for nurses’ stress management during their practice. Knowledge of nurses receiving ESA interventions sheds light on how to protect/preserve the well-being of nurses practicing in this demanding profession. ESAs for nurses in the workplace offers an option to utilize dog therapy to re-energize and continue their shift renewed and refreshed. Full article

A 6-month-old neutered male Belgian Malinois dog living in a kennel was presented to a veterinary emergency service for the management of severe respiratory distress that had developed within the past 24 h. Thoracic radiographs performed by a referring veterinarian showed abnormalities identified as a pneumothorax. Upon admission to the emergency service, the striking anomalies turned out to be a large intrathoracic air-filled cavity and countless smaller ones causing mechanical compression of the adjacent pulmonary parenchyma and mimicking tension pneumothorax. Emergency management included thoracocentesis followed by placement of a thoracostomy tube. The dog exhibited rapid clinical improvement and recovered completely within a few days, without requiring surgical intervention. Serial follow-up radiographs showed progressive and complete resolution of all lesions. Based on the complete resolution without resection, the main lesion—initially interpreted as a giant pulmonary bulla—was ultimately considered consistent with an acquired pneumatocele. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report in veterinary medicine of a vanishing lung syndrome presentation in a dog. Full article

Congenital defects are among the leading causes of neonatal mortality in small animals. Among them, cleft palate is one of the most commonly found malformations in dogs. Appropriate clinical management and surgical correction are determining factors for the survival of puppies affected by this alteration. Thus, the objective of this study is to describe 10 clinical cases of successful clinical management of cleft palate, highlighting the therapeutic strategies used, the results obtained, and the evolution of patients after treatment. Ten neonatal dogs of three breeds were treated by the Small Animal Reproduction Service of FMVZ, Unesp—Botucatu: French Bulldog (6), Pug (3), and American Bully (1) presented with cleft palate at birth or during the first week of age. Patients underwent clinical and nutritional management, in addition to immunological support. At four months of age, the patients underwent medially positioned flap repair. The animals were fed via an esophageal tube for 10 days after surgery. The clinical management proved to be effective since, throughout the follow-up, the animals showed good development and did not present complications arising from the cleft palate, and the surgical procedures were successful, restoring the quality of life of the animals. Full article

Dog training is an unregulated profession in Canada without licensing or standardized practices, yet professional dog trainers greatly influence how guardians interact with their dogs and, by extension, dog welfare. We conducted an online survey to characterize the demographics, qualifications, services, methods, and views of dog trainers in Canada. Of the 706 valid respondents, most (65%) had completed at least one structured dog training program, while 33% were self-educated. Respondents held qualifications from 138 training programs and 39 exam-based certifications that differed in their curriculum, duration, and scope. We identified over 80 different themes or terms that trainers use to describe their practices, with the most frequent relating to reward-based methods. Most respondents also indicated that they would be unlikely to use aversive collars. These findings suggest that reward-based methods are likely the most prevalent in Canada. Two-thirds (62%) supported some regulation of dog training. The quantity and variety of training programs, certifications, and terminology utilized by dog trainers could present challenges for dog guardians in selecting trainers, and/or result in the use of harmful training methods. These findings can inform further development of best practices, educational programs, and advocacy to advance the use of humane training methods. Full article

A 1-year-old Maltese–Poodle mixed breed dog was referred to the cardiology service because of severe exercise intolerance and daily exercise-induced syncopal episodes. Physical examination revealed no abnormalities. Echocardiography showed intermittent underfilling of the heart. Abdominal ultrasound examination revealed a segmental aplasia of the caudal vena cava between the kidneys and the liver, and azygos continuation of the cava. The azygos vein dorsal to the right kidney showed a severe aneurysm with stasis of blood. Computed tomographic angiography showed that the right crus of the diaphragm was probably responsible for the intermittent compression of the dilated azygos vein, which was thought to have subsequently led to insufficient venous return to the heart. The underfilled ventricles could not produce sufficient cardiac output, which caused the assumed cerebral hypoperfusion due to presumed systemic arterial hypotension. Under general anesthesia a self-expanding nitinol stent was implanted into the azygos vein at the level of the diaphragm. All clinical signs resolved immediately after surgery. The dog remained free from clinical signs (6 months after surgery). This is the first report that describes the successful treatment of this congenital vascular anomaly. Ultrasonography of the caudal vena cava should be performed in dogs with unexplained syncope. Full article

Behavioural problems in dogs are a major welfare concern for both dogs and owners, which can lead to relinquishment or euthanasia. As such, it is important to find ways to minimize the risk of development or severity of problematic behaviour. Such interventions should ideally occur early in the dog’s development and need to be widely and easily accessible. One way to implement such interventions, given modern smart phone use, is via an educational application (app). Here, we conducted a cross-sectional observational study where we sought to estimate associations between use of the Zigzag dog-training app (Zigzag Pet Care Services Ltd.) and the development and severity of problematic behaviours. We focused on a subset of the survey population (n = 367) who did no training at all (n = 194) or only used the app (did not attend formal classes or in person training; n = 173). Proportional odds ordinal logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for a range of behaviours as a function of percentage completion of the first four chapters of the app while controlling for age, sex, health, and where the puppy was from. While sample sizes were relatively small and confidence intervals wide, 19 out of 21 odds ratio point estimates were in favour of severity being lower with increasing Zigzag app completion (the remaining 2 were marginally above 1). There was no good evidence that Zigzag increased the severity of any behaviours. On the contrary, there was reasonable evidence against the null hypothesis of no association in favour of Zigzag reducing the severity of familiar aggression, house soiling, chewing, barking, escaping, and noise fear. While causal effects cannot be claimed, overall, the reported associations are favourable and suggest that further study is warranted. Full article

Evidence suggests that assistance and therapy dogs can positively impact the mental and physical health of children with autism spectrum condition (ASC) and their families. However, these services are often costly and inaccessible. As an alternative, companion dogs (e.g., non-specialist-trained pet dogs) may offer similar benefits. To support families in selecting and training a dog to benefit the whole family, a charity named Dogs for Good has designed the Family Dog Service. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceived impact of human–dog interactions and relationships for children with ASC and their families, and their perceptions of the Family Dog Service. Interviews were conducted with 16 parents of children with ASC who had engaged with the service within the last five years. Thematic analysis identified four main themes. These related to the positive impact of the companion dog on the child with ASC (e.g., enhanced focus and attention, reduction in loneliness, and reduced anxiety-based behaviours) and the parents (e.g., increased respite and wellbeing). However, parents also reported challenges of dog ownership (e.g., adjustment to routines and barriers associated with the development of the human–dog relationship). These challenges appeared to be mitigated by tailored guidance and support from the Family Dog Service. The findings indicate that companion dog ownership provided benefits to children with ASC and their families, similar to those reported for autism assistance dogs. While the findings do not suggest that companion dogs can replace the important role played by specialist trained assistance dogs, it is possible that reported benefits may occur due to the development of the human–dog relationship, facilitated by the support offered by the Family Dog Service. The service may provide a practical, valuable alternative in light of restrictions and challenges often associated with securing assistance dog placements. Full article