Improved adoptability is a common goal among rescue shelters. Dogs are more likely to be adopted if they are friendly, mannerly, and approachable. The possibility of improving rescue shelter dogs' behavior through an obedience program has not been examined. We developed an approachability test to determine whether dogs became more approachable during and after a standardized 12-week obedience program. We also quantified jumping behavior and pulling on the leash to measure if these problematic behaviors also improved through training. The subjects consisted of 26 dogs donated to the Triple Crown School for Professional Dog Trainers for one of the 12-week sessions. The approach test was administered six times, at two-week intervals. The tests were videotaped and jumping and pulling behaviors were quantified after testing. Scores for approachability were based on the proximity between the tester and the dog at the end of each test. For the dogs that completed all 12 weeks of the study, contingency analyses were performed for each behavioral measure. Relative to the start of the 12-week training program, the dogs became more approachable (p<0.025), jumped less (p<0.025), and pulled on the leash less (p<0.025) than when the study began. These results reinforce the importance of obedience training as a tool for increasing a rescue shelter dog's adoptability and permanence once placed in a home.

In dogs, nutrition has been implicated in the development of numerous chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Health claims for dog food are not regulated in Canada, thus many claims do not have a scientific basis. The development of a pet food with proven health benefits is important to pet owners as well as the pet food industry. The purpose of this study was to develop a low glycemic canine diet that will provide health benefits for dogs, namely decreased serum insulin and glucose concentrations, reduced food intake and weight gain, and improved cardiovascular health. To achieve this objective, four studies were performed. These studies examined the acute and longer term health effects of feeding unprocessed as well as extruded carbohydrate sources as both single ingredients and in complete dog diets. In addition, metabolic and cardiovascular health parameters were measured in dogs when they were lean, obese and after weight loss. Post-prandial serum glucose and insulin responses were used to determine glycemic index of the carbohydrate sources and to evaluate glucose tolerance. Flow-mediated dilation, echocardiography and blood pressure were used to assess cardiovascular health. Computed tomography was performed to measure body fat amount and distribution. Leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein were also analyzed. The results of these studies found that peas had a lower glycemic index compared to barley and rice, but that after extrusion, the glycemic index of the pea diet was not different than the rice diet. Post-prandial hyperglycemia in dogs was associated with acute changes in endothelial function which may be related to increased methylglyoxal concentrations. However, several negative health effects were observed in dogs after only 12 weeks of obesity and weight loss reversed some, but not all, of these changes. The pea-based diet reduced post-prandial insulin response in obese dogs after 12 weeks on the diet even though no changes were observed in body fat amount or distribution. In conclusion, this research supports the usefulness of peas as an ingredient in canine diets and provides valuable data for the pet food and pulse industries, as well as for veterinarians and pet owners.

According to Onkvisit and Shaw (1987), many products and possessions can be perceived as extensions of consumers' self-identity.  Some consumers might even try to enhance their image through conspicuous or status consumption. According to Mosteller (2008), possessing a pet is closely related to the theory of the extended self. Among other types of conspicuously consumed goods, rare or unusual animals may be purchased to satisfy the consumer's need for status (Hirschman, 1994). In 2011, more than 70 million households in Europe kept a pet. The direct and indirect industry of pet breeders, veterinarians etc. creates more than half a million jobs throughout Europe. Although in recent years many studies have been conducted from psychological or medical point of view of companion animals' and their owners' interactions, the academic knowledge from consumer behaviour perspective is still scarce. Authors of this thesis employed attitudes, various self and conspicious consumption theories in order to dig deeper into the topic of pets as status symbols, in particular rare and pure-bred cats and dogs. With the help of convenience sampling technique, internet survey was distributed. Authors questioned 165 students in Jönköping International Business School and created a data sample which was later used in statistical analysis. By combining descriptive statistics, Principal component analysis and Cluster analysis, a research design for the topic at hand was developed, which allowed to squeeze out every bit of valuable information. According to the statistical analysis, four most important factors influencing pet-related conspicuous consumption are (in order of importance): Ostentation, Social Recognition, Conformity and Materialistic Indulgence. With regards to these factors, all participants were grouped in four clusters: Blue Blooded People, Indifferent Boasters, Status Candidates and Approval Seekers. This research design resulted in vast array of managerial implications and creation of academic knowledge in respective consumer behaviour field.

Little research has focused on the relationship between lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity and cholesterol metabolism in dogs and cats. To study weight loss and cholesterol metabolism in dogs, four experimental weight-loss diets were fed to 12 obese female beagles for 8 wk in a partial crossover design (n = 6). High- (HGI) or low-glycemic index (LGI) starch and diacylglycerol or triacylglycerol oil were combined to compose diets with similar fatty acid (FA) profiles. Body weight was measured weekly. Fasted blood samples were drawn at wk1, wk4, and wk8 to measure plasma total (TC), unesterified (UC), and esterified cholesterol (EC) concentrations, LCAT activity, and FA composition of the phospholipid (PL) and EC fractions. All groups lost weight. UC increased from wk1 to wk4 (p < 0.05). LCAT activity increased from wk1 to wk4 and remained elevated at wk8 (p < 0.05). Plasma PL FA profiles reflected the diets fed with few diet or time effects. Plasma EC FA profiles reflected the specificity of LCAT for linoleic acid (LA) with minimal diet or time effects. We conclude that weight reduction in dogs occurs in conjunction with increased LCAT activity and altered plasma cholesterol fractions but not changes in plasma PL or EC FA profiles. To measure the activity and demonstrate the FA specificity of LCAT in felines fed varying types of fat, 29 female cats were fed diets enriched with high-oleic sunflower (n = 9), menhaden fish (n = 10), or safflower (n = 10) oil (8g oil/100g kibble) for 4 wk. Fasted blood samples were drawn at d0, d14, and d28 for determination of the blood parameters mentioned previously. LCAT and TC showed no time or diet effects. UC decreased at d28 compared to d0 and d14, while EC increased at d28 compared to d0 and d14 (all p < 0.05). Plasma EC FA profiles reflected the specificity of LCAT for LA with many diet and time effects but contained no docosahexanoic acid (DHA). We conclude that feline LCAT has no measurable affinity for DHA, but both feline and canine LCAT demonstrated specificity for LA regardless of diet fed.

The purpose of this study was to design a dosing regimen and evaluate the safety of zonisamide (ZNS) following multiple dosing and to determine appropriate monitoring methods. Clinical pharmacokinetics were studied in 8 adult dogs (4 male and 4 female) ranging from 3 to 4 years of age using a randomized crossover design following single intravenous (IV) and oral administration, 6.85 and 10.25 mg/kg, respectively. Samples were collected intermittently for 48 hours. Dogs were then dosed orally (10.17 mg/kg) twice daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected weekly and at discontinuation of the drug. Additionally, urine was collected to determine 24 hour urine ZNS clearance following IV administration. Safety was based on clinical pathology, thyroid and urine testing during both studies. ZNS was measured using high performance liquid chromatography in serum, plasma, erythrocytes (RBC) and whole blood. Data were subjected to standard non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis using computer assisted linear regression (WinNonLin?). Comparisons were made in different compartments using one-way ANOVA to identify any differences. Safety parameters at study beginning and end were compared using a Student t-test. ZNS concentrations differed among blood compartments after single dosing, with oral maximum concentration (Cmax) being greatest in RBC (28.73?g/ml) and least (14.36?g/ml) in plasma. Volume of distribution also differed, being greater (1096.05ml/kg) in plasma and least in (379.23ml/kg) RBC. Clearance of ZNS was 57.55ml/hr/kg from plasma and 5.06ml/hr/kg from RBC. Elimination half- life in plasma was 16.4 hr in serum and 57.4 hr in RBC. Bioavailability was 126.8% for RBC and 189.6% for plasma. Following multiple dosing, at steady-state, Cmax averaged 65.8?g/ml with fluctuations of 17.2% between dosings. Accumulation of ZNS was 3.5 (plasma) and 4.3 (RBC). Concentrations did not differ among blood compartments at the end of multiple dosing. Although differences did occur across time in clinical pathology tests, all were within normal limits at study end except for T4. In conclusion, ZNS dosed at 10 mg/kg twice daily for dogs would maintain therapeutic levels (10 to 70?g/ml) recommended in human epileptic patients. Therapeutic monitoring would be best measured in serum or plasma accompanied with thyroid and urine testing.

Improved adoptability is a common goal among rescue shelters. Dogs are more likely to be adopted if they are friendly, mannerly, and approachable. The possibility of improving rescue shelter dogs' behavior through an obedience program has not been examined. We developed an approachability test to determine whether dogs became more approachable during and after a standardized 12-week obedience program. We also quantified jumping behavior and pulling on the leash to measure if these problematic behaviors also improved through training. The subjects consisted of 26 dogs donated to the Triple Crown School for Professional Dog Trainers for one of the 12-week sessions. The approach test was administered six times, at two-week intervals. The tests were videotaped and jumping and pulling behaviors were quantified after testing. Scores for approachability were based on the proximity between the tester and the dog at the end of each test. For the dogs that completed all 12 weeks of the study, contingency analyses were performed for each behavioral measure. Relative to the start of the 12-week training program, the dogs became more approachable (p<0.025), jumped less (p<0.025), and pulled on the leash less (p<0.025) than when the study began. These results reinforce the importance of obedience training as a tool for increasing a rescue shelter dog's adoptability and permanence once placed in a home.

A study was performed to investigate the effect of diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and other related nutrients, in the effort to improve skin and hair coat conditions in canines. The study included 24 dogs fed a baseline diet (Ol’Roy®), with an acclimation period of 12 weeks (Phase I). Nine female beagles and 15 male hound mixed-bred dogs were used. For the next 12 weeks (Phase II) the dogs were randomly divided into three groups and fed one of three specially formulated complete and balanced diets. Differences among the three diets were as follows: Diet A contained lower but adequate amounts of dietary zinc and linoleic acid than Diet B. Diet C was similar to Diet B with respect to zinc but contained less linoleic acid and more alpha-linolenic acid. In the beginning, a preliminary study assessing skin lipids showed that hair is a suitable material to analyze. This study lead to the subsequent investigation, using plucked and shed hair samples obtained on weeks 3, 7, and 11 (Phase I) and again on weeks 1, 3, 7, and 11 (Phase II). One objective of this research was to investigate the dietary effects of the combination of linoleic acid in combination with zinc on canine sebum lipids during a 12 week diet phase. Another objective was to investigate if any correlation existed between the hair cycle anagen and telogen phase of the hair follicle and the lipid constituents present in the sebum during the 12 week acclimation phase and the 12 week feeding trial. Two hypotheses were tested. First, the lipid content of hair can be altered by fat and fatty acid composition of the diet. Second, the modification of dietary fat and polyunsaturated fatty acids lead to changes in hair lipids that may be related to improved skin and hair coat scores. Over the 12 week feeding period of Phase II, test results revealed statistically significant increases in both CE and CE/WD, and a prolonged growth of hair follicles in the anagen phase of diet B dogs, which are both consistent with improved skin and hair coat scores.

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 17, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Thesis advisor: Dr. Matthew E. Gompper. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (PhD (Veterinary Tropical Diseases)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print format.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.