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Ageing does not significantly affect performance in a spatial learning task in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus)
| Contributor(s):: McCune, S., Stevenson, J., Fretwell, L., Thompson, A., Mills, D. S.
A spatial learning task was used to examine cognitive function in 36 cats (1.0-15.1 years of age), with a control for motor function. No significant age-related decline in cognitive function was found. Initial selection of 75 cats showed no significant age differences between young (0-3 years),...
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Alternatives to nose-ringing in outdoor sows. 1. The provision of a sacrificial rooting area
| Contributor(s):: Bornett, H. L. I., Edge, H. L., Edwards, S. A.
The nose-ringing of outdoor pigs (Sus scrofa) is commonly practised in many countries as a means to inhibit rooting and reduce pasture damage and soil erosion. This practice has been questioned on ethical grounds and alternatives are being sought. Sixteen multiparous pregnant sows were housed in...
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Assessing ridden horse behavior: professional judgment and physiological measures
| Contributor(s):: Hall, C., Kay, R., Yarnell, K.
The assessment of ridden horse behavior by 12 equestrian professionals (riding instructors n=4, riders n=4, veterinarians n=4) was compared with observed behavior and physiological measures (salivary cortisol and eye temperature). Horses (n=10) were ridden at walk, trot, and canter in a...
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Assessment of ridden horse behavior
| Contributor(s):: Hall, C., Huws, N., White, C., Taylor, E., Owen, H., McGreevy, P.
Assessments of the behavior of ridden horses form the basis of performance evaluation. The purpose of any performance being evaluated will determine the factors considered important, factors indicative of "poor" performance, and what makes a successful equine athlete. Currently, there is no...
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Assessment of the efficiency of captive-bolt stunning in cattle and feasibility of associated behavioural signs
| Contributor(s):: Gouveia, K. G., Ferreira, P. G., Costa, J. C. R. da, Vaz-Pires, P., Costa, P. M. da
Efficient stunning is essential for the welfare of animals destined for slaughter. Several studies have dictated certain signs as reliable for the assessment of stunning efficiency in cattle. However, there is still a lack of data concerning the viability of these signs. The aim of the following...
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Aversion to carbon dioxide stunning in pigs: effect of carbon dioxide concentration and halothane genotype
| Contributor(s):: Velarde, A., Cruz, J., Gispert, M., Carrion, D., Torre, J. L. R. de la, Diestre, A., Manteca, X.
Aversion to the dip-lift stunning system and to the inhalation of 70 and 90% carbon dioxide was assessed in 18 halothane-free (NN) and 14 heterozygous halothane (Nn) slaughter weight pigs using aversion learning techniques and behavioural studies in an experimental slaughterhouse. Pigs were...
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Canine mental genetics
| Contributor(s):: Whitney, L. F.
Certain behaviour patterns of the wolf are briefly examined and are likened to similar modified patterns in the domestic dog, thus implying acceptance of the theory that the dog's ancestor was the wolf. The author's earlier findings on characteristics peculiar to different breeds of sporting dog...
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Canine olfactory genetics
| Contributor(s):: Quignon, P., Robin, S., Galibert, F.
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Conditioned aversion in sheep induced by Baccharis coridifolia
| Contributor(s):: Almeida, M. B. de, Schild, A. L., Brasil, N. D. A., Quevedo, P. de S., Fiss, L., Pfister, J. A., Riet-Correa, F.
In Southern Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, the invasive weed Baccharis coridifolia often poisons naive animals. Farmers prevent B. coridifolia poisoning using several unconventional methods to reduce ingestion: (1) burning plant material under an animals' nose, and having the...
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Ever been close to a nosey pig?
| Contributor(s):: Putten, G. van
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Frequency of nose and tail injuries in cattle and water buffalo at livestock markets in Bangladesh
| Contributor(s):: Alam, M. R., Gregory, N. G., Uddin, M. S., Jabbar, M. A., Chowdhury, S., Debnath, N. C.
A total of 560 cattle and water buffalo were examined at livestock markets in Bangladesh. The aim was to assess the frequency of nose and tail injuries that could have occurred during handling and transport. The frequency of nose piercing was 64
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Genetic relatedness of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) isolated from a dog and the dog owner
| Contributor(s):: Soedarmanto, I., Kanbar, T., Ulbegi-Mohyla, H., Hijazin, M., Alber, J., Lammler, C., Akineden, O., Weiss, R., Moritz, A., Zschock, M.
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Genetics of canine olfaction and receptor diversity
| Contributor(s):: Quignon, P., Rimbault, M., Robin, S., Galibert, F.
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Group composition for fattening entire male pigs under enriched housing conditions - influences on behaviour, injuries and boar taint compounds
| Contributor(s):: Holinger, M., Fruh, B., Hillmann, E.
In organic farming, the production of pork from entire male pigs seems to be the most promising alternative to castration, as organic animal husbandry aims at high standards of animal welfare and elimination of mutilations. However, previous research on behaviour of entire male pigs was mostly...
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Heterogeneity and phylogenetic relationships of community-associated methicillin-sensitive/resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in healthy dogs, cats and their owners
| Contributor(s):: Wan, M. T., Fu, S. Y., Lo, Y. P., Huang, T. M., Cheng, M. M., Chou, C. C.
Aims: To investigate the distribution of staphylococcal enterotoxin genes (se) and the molecular features of community-associated methicillin-sensitive/resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MSSA/MRSA) isolates in the nostrils of healthy pets and their owners.Methods and...
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Immunohistochemistry of the Canine Vomeronasal Organ
| Contributor(s):: JC Dennis, JG Allgier, LS Desouza, WC Edward, EE Morrison
The canine's olfactory acuity is legendary, but neither its main olfactory system nor its vomeronasal system has been described in much detail. We used immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded sections of male and female adult dog vomeronasal organ (VNO) to characterize the expression of...
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in resident animals of a long-term care facility
| Contributor(s):: Coughlan, K., Olsen, K. E., Boxrud, D., Bender, J. B.
Animals provide benefits to elderly and chronically ill people by decreasing loneliness, increasing social interactions, and improving mental health. As a result, many hospitals and long-term care facilities allow family pets to visit ill or convalescing patients or support animal-assisted...
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Molecular Characterization of Pneumococcal Isolates from Pets and Laboratory Animals
| Contributor(s):: Mark van der Linden, Adnan Al-Lahham, Werner Nicklas, Ralf René Reinert
Background Between 1986 and 2008 Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from 41 pets/zoo animals (guinea pigs (n = 17), cats (n = 12), horses (n = 4), dogs (n = 3), dolphins (n = 2), rat (n = 2), gorilla (n = 1)) treated in medical veterinary laboratories and zoos, and 44 laboratory animals...
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Motor and sensory laterality in thoroughbred horses
| Contributor(s):: McGreevy, P. D., Rogers, L. J.
We investigated lateralisation in horses because it is likely to be important in training and athletic performance. Thoroughbred horses (n=106) were observed every 60 s for 2 h, when they were at pasture, and the position of the forelimbs in relation to one another was recorded. There was a...
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Perception of dogs' stress by their owners
| Contributor(s):: Mariti, C., Gazzano, A., Moore, J. L., Baragli, P., Chelli, L., Sighieri, C.
Questionnaires potentially have a broad applicability in measuring stress levels in dogs, as owners know their dogs' behavior and personality better than anyone else. The aim of this research was to evaluate how owners perceive stress in their dogs through understanding of displayed behaviors....
