Bonnie V. Beaver

Clinical classification of canine aggression

Abstract Complete case histories from 120 dogs referred because of aggression were reviewed to determine what trends, if any, were present. Sixty percent of the animals were male, with the remaining 40% divided almost equally between females, neutered males, and neutered females. The mean age for dogs presented was 3.0 years, although females tended to be younger and neutered males somewhat older. Mixed-breed dogs (18.3%) were the most common, while Cocker Spaniels and German Shepherds (10% each) were the most commonly seen purebreds. Attacks or threats were directed to adults by 54.2% of the dogs, toward children by 21.7% of the dogs, and toward other dogs by 41.7% of the patients. Twenty animals (16.7%) threatened more than one category. Competitive (dominance) aggression, the most frequent type diagnosed, was expressed by 59.2% of the dogs and was generally responsive to treatment.

Observation effects on learning in horses

Abstract Sixteen horses, divided into 2 groups of 8, were used to study observational learning in horses. One group served as controls while the other group served as the treated group (observers). Observers were allowed to watch a correctly performed discrimination task for 5 days prior to testing their learning response using the same task. Discrimination testing was conducted on all horses daily for 14 days, with criterion set at 7 out of 8 responses correct with the last 5 consecutively correct. The maximum number of trials performed without reaching criterion was limited to 20 per day. Mean trials to criteria (MT) by group were: control, 11.25; observer, 10.70. Mean error (ME) scores were: control, 2.37; observer, 2.02. Average initial discrimination error scores were 11.13 for control and 10.38 for observers ( P P

Feline behavior guidelines from the American Association of Feline Practitioners

Z oonotic diseases are defined as being common to, shared by, or naturally transmitted between humans and other vertebrate animals (Evans 1997). Transmission of zoonotic agents from animals to people can potentially occur by direct contact with the animal, indirect contact with secretions or excretions from the animal, and contact with vehicles like water, food or fomites that were contaminated by the animal. For many agents, infection of the animal and human occurs from a shared vector or environmental exposure. Most zoonotic agents can infect anyone regardless of their immune status. However, when immunosuppressed people are infected the clinical illness is often more severe. For example, primary Toxoplasma gondii infection of an immunocompetent person is usually inapparent whereas infection in an immunosuppressed person can cause life-threatening disease. Examples of immunosuppressed individuals include those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), those on immune suppressive drugs for immune-mediated disease, cancer, or organ transplantation, the fetus or other young people without fully developed immune systems, and older individuals with decremental deterioration of the immune system. When immunodeficiency is detected or suspected in a family, it is often recommended that cat ownership be discontinued due to potential health risks (Burton 1989, Spencer 1992). Because there are many infectious agents that infect both cats and humans, it is sometimes assumed that zoonotic diseases are commonly acquired from cat contact. In actuality, humans are unlikely to acquire infectious diseases from healthy, adult,

Fractious cats and feline aggression

Despite variation in terminology it is clear that the context in which feline aggression occurs is important for classification, prevention and treatment. Many of the aggressions discussed can be considered variants of normal feline behavior, so client education is particularly important. Educated clients will know when their cat can benefit from veterinary intervention, and when closing a door may be sufficient. The goals of treating all feline aggressions should be safety for all concerned, and quality of their living environment for the cats. The greater our knowledge, the more likely we are to achieve these goals.

Aggressive behavior associated with naturally elevated serum testosterone in mares

Abstract Naturally elevated serum testosterone levels do occur in mares and may be of adrenal or ovarian origin, due to lesions in these organs themselves or to a lesion in the hypothalamo—pituitary axes. These elevated levels work on sexually dimorphic areas of the body to result in certain masculine characteristics. Of the mares exhibiting these characteristics, some are normal with respect to androgen levels, some have tumors of either the adrenal cortex or the ovary, and the others may have impairments in enzymatic transformation which result in the elevated serum testosterone levels.

Laboratory Animal Behavior

The study of laboratory animal behavior has increased steadily over the last decade, with expanding emphasis on a variety of commonly used species. In the United States, this trend was initially focused on species for which there was a regulatory requirement to consider normalizing behavior, specifically the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s requirement to promote the psychological well-being of nonhuman primates as reflected in the 1991 Animal Welfare Regulations (AWRs). With the advent of the seventh edition of the Guide (NRC, 1996), more emphasis was placed on addressing the structural, social, and activity elements in all laboratory animals’ cage or pen environments in what was referred to as a ‘behavioral management program.’ The implication that environmental enrichment is a de facto means of normalizing laboratory animal behavior is evidenced by the discussion of this topic as one component of the microenvironment (i.e., cage) for all laboratory species in the eighth edition of the Guide (NRC, 2011). The 2011 Guide also devoted an entire section to ‘Behavioral and Social Management,’ highlighting the importance of motor, cognitive, and social activity; the social environment, noting that single housing of social species should be the exception; and procedural habituation and training of animals.

Sensory development of Felis catus

The sensory development of 22 kittens was observed for 12 weeks. Vision-related responses began as a palpebral reflex at 1·8 days and continued as a light blink response at 5·7 days (mean values). The eyes unsealed between days 6 and 17 and the pupillary reflex was well developed within a few days. Depth perception began at 13·2 days mean. Auditory development progressed rapidly after the opening of the external canals between days 7 and 14. Pain and rooting reflexes were present at birth, while auriculonasocephalic and Galants reflexes were highly variable.

Determination of favorite components of garbage by dogs

Abstract This study was to determine which commonly found household garbage odors would be the most attractive to dogs. Thirteen items were tested as fresh odors or were aged for 72 h before testing. Each of the 325 paired odor combinations was tested on 12 dogs. Fresh odors were preferred to aged ones, and meat odors were chosen more often than non-meat odors. Fried liver with onions and baked chicken were the top ranking fresh and old odors. Liver was the highest ranking raw meat.

Aggressive Behavior Problems

Accurate diagnosis of the cause of aggression in horses is essential to determining the appropriate course of action. The affective forms of aggression include fear-induced, pain-induced, intermale, dominance, protective, maternal, learned, and redirected aggressions. Non-affective aggression includes play and sex-related forms. Irritable aggression and hypertestosteronism in mares are medical problems, whereas genetic factors, brain dysfunction, and self-mutilation are also concerns.

Neuromuscular development of Felis catus

Neuromuscular development was studied for 12 weeks in 22 kittens. Vertebral extensor, flexor and combined dominance was recorded in several phases. Thoracic limb support began between days 1 and 10, while the initiation of pelvic limb support ranged up to day 25. Crossed extensor and Landau reflexes were present in most kittens at various times up to day 19, although the Magnus response was not seen. Auricular muscle control developed at 1·5 weeks, about the same time as claw control.