Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on December 22, 2006). "May 2006" The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Wilter Ricardo Russiano Vicente / Banca: Márcia Rita Fernandes Machado / Banca: Marion Burkhardt de Koivisto / Resumo: A superpopulação de cães é uma luta constante para a saúde pública e o bem-estar animal. A ovariosalpingohisterectomia (OSH) em cadelas é a cirurgia mais freqüentemente realizada na prática clínica veterinária, especialmente com o intuito de se evitar a reprodução. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo colaborar identificando em cima da literatura estudada, as vantagens e desvantagens de quatro técnicas de esterilização para o controle populacional de cães, que são: OSH pela linha mediana ventral, OSH pelo flanco, OSH pela videolaparoscopia e OSH por Natural Orifices Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES). O estudo baseou-se numa revista de literatura e divide-se em três partes: apresentação; revista de literatura sobre bem-estar animal, controle populacional de cães, técnicas de esterilização; conclusão, apresentando-se esquematicamente as vantagens e desvantagens de cada técnica revista. A revisão permitiu uma avaliação do controle populacional de cães, tecendo um panorama sobre a grande variedade de literatura existente em alguns métodos e escassas em outros, reforçando a necessidade de mais pesquisas associando bemestar animal e estratégias de controle populacional de cães / Abstract: The overpopulation of dogs is a constant issue for public health and animal welfare. The ovariosalpingohisterectomy (OSH) in dogs is the surgery most frequently performed in clinical veterinary, especially in order to avoid reproduction. This study has aims to contribute according to literature studied, the advanteges and disadvantages of four methods of sterilization for population control of dogs that are submitted to OSH by the ventral midline, flank, videolaparoscopies and Natural Orifices Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES). The study was based on a review of the literature and is divided into three parts: presentation; review of the literature about animal welfare, population control of dogs, methods of sterilization; overview, presenting systematically the advantages and disadvantages of each method reviewed. The review has allowed an assessment of population control of dogs, showing the wide variety of existing literature on some methods and scarce in others, reinforcing the need for more research involving animal welfare and strategies for population control of dogs / Mestre

This study investigates the symbolic role of the domestic dog in Iron Age and Roman Britain through contextual analysis of their faunal remains and interpretation of their representations in iconography. Previous studies have highlighted linkages between the species and ideas about death, healing and regeneration (Jenkins 1957, Ross 1967, Toynbee 1973, Henig 1984, Green 1992). Although these connections clearly did exist in the cosmologies of Britain and the Western provinces of Rome, this detailed examination of the evidence seeks to identify reasons why this might have been so. The enquiry was also designed to highlight any previously unnoticed patterns in the dataset that might add a further dimension to our understanding of how the domestic dog was perceived at a symbolic level. It has been established for some time that dogs appear in statistically significant numbers, compared to other species, in the special animal deposits that are a feature of certain Iron Age pits (Grant 1984, Wait 1985, Hill 1995). Dramatic evidence for ritual practice involving animals found at a Romano-British temple complex in Springhead, Kent, and comparable finds from both sacred and secular sites, suggest that domestic dogs were also a favoured sacrifice during this period. As well as analysing such archaeological evidence, this study draws on anthropological, psychological and historical writings about human relationships with the domestic dog in an attempt to forward our understanding of religious expression during antiquity.

Orientadora: Maria Rita Pacheco / Banca: Silvana Martinez Baraldi Artoni / Banca: João Morelli Júnior / Banca: Tânia de Freitas Raso / Banca: Angela Cleusa de Fatima Banzatto de Carvalho / Resumo: Este trabalho objetivou analisar a morfologia e a morfometria das regiões cervical, torácica e lombar da medula espinhal de cães. Utilizou-se vinte cães sem raça definida, adultos, sendo dez cães hígidos, com sorologia negativa para toxoplasmose, utilizados como controle (grupo 1) e dez cães soropositivos para toxoplasmose (grupo 2). Para o estudo morfométrico, obtido por meio de um sistema analisador de imagens, os parâmetros analisados foram: área, perímetro, diâmetro máximo, diâmetro mínimo e fator de forma do citoplasma e núcleo dos neurônios. Também se avaliou a espessura da bainha de mielina axonal. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente, mediante o teste t de Student ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. Com relação a morfologia, não se observaram diferenças entre os dois grupos e as características morfológicas se apresentaram de acordo com a literatura. Baseado na morfometria, notou-se que os neurônios dos cães soropositivos eram maiores e mais arredondados em comparação aos do grupo controle, devido a um possível edema celular. Não houve diferença estatística na espessura da bainha de mielina entre os grupos estudados. Conclui-se que não houve alteração morfológica visível, pela microscopia de luz, em ambos os grupos, naquela ocasião. Os resultados morfométricos demonstram que há alteração no tamanho e estrutura dos neurônios, ocorrendo aumento e perda do formato estrelado, nos animais soropositivos, provavelmente devido a um processo de edema celular. Estes resultados sugerem que outras investigações deverão ser feitas para se comprovar a hipótese de que os neurônios destes cães, ainda assintomáticos, perderam a função condutora. / Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze canine spinal cord morphology and morphometry of cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. Twenty adult dogs were studied, ten toxoplasmosis seronegative, used as control (group 1) and ten seropositive above 1:256 (group 2). For the morphometry, the parameters were area, maximum and minimum diameter, perimeter and roundness, of neurons’ cytoplasm and nucleus. Axon myelin sheath thickness also was measured. The results were statistically analyzed by Student’s t-test, with a significance level of 5%. There were no morphologic differences between the two groups, and the morphologic characteristics were in agreement with literature. Based on morphometry, neurons of seropositive dogs were greater and had a more rounded shape when compared with control group, due to a possible cellular edema. Statistically significant differences were not found for axon myelin sheath thickness among groups. We can conclude that there was no visible morphologic alteration, at the time of the study but, the morphometric results showed that there were changes in neurons size and shape, occurring size increases and lose of the star shape in seropositive dogs, probable because of cellular edema. These results suggests others studies to prove the hypothesis that neurons of these dogs, still assyntomatics, lost there conductive function. / Doutor

Úlceras indolentes são úlceras corneais superficiais, espontâneas, que apresentam curso prolongado e que tendem a recidivar. Comumente observadas em cães de meia idade, da raça Boxer, provoca dor de início agudo e necessita de tratamento específico, já que este, quando não realizado de forma correta, pode prolongar o curso da lesão por semanas a meses. A doença é explicada por diversas alterações da superfície ocular. Com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia dos tratamentos ambulatoriais preconizados no Serviço de Oftalmologia do Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo (HOVET-FMVZ-USP), e as principais considerações observadas no levantamento dos prontuários, realizou-se estudo retrospectivo dos casos atendidos entre os anos de 1997 e 2008. Segundo os resultados, observou-se que a maioria dos cães da raça Boxer apresentaram úlcera indolente, distrofia corneal e catarata; que as úlceras indolentes foram mais frequentemente observadas em fêmeas de meia idade e que a maioria dos proprietários demoraram mais de 15 dias para levar seus animais ao HOVET-FMVZ-USP; que as alterações oculares mais frequentemente referidas pelos proprietários foram o blefarospasmo, olho vermelho e a secreção; que as principais características das lesões observadas após o exame oftalmológico foram que a maioria das úlceras eram transparentes, apresentando epitélio não aderido ou com algum grau de vascularização; unilaterais, mais frequentemente observadas no olho direito; de aparecimento espontâneo e localizadas no centro da córnea. Quanto ao tratamento, observou-se que os inibidores das proteinases foram as medicações mais frequentemente prescritas e que sua administração não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização corneal ou na formação de granuloma. Vitamina C, apesar de ter prolongado de maneira significante o tempo de cicatrização corneal, reduziu a inflamação, consideração observada pela diminuição da presença de granuloma. Debridamento/cauterização corneal, além de não interferir na formação de granuloma, acelerou, significativamente, o processo de cicatrização. A antibioticoterapia e a administração de Atropina 1 % não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização, mas se relacionaram diretamente, de forma estatisticamente significante, à presença de granuloma. O uso de anti-inflamatórios tópicos e sistêmicos também não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização, mas diminuíram, de maneira significante, a presença de granuloma nos cães em que foram administrados. Observou-se também que a não administração de atropina 1 %, antibióticos e anti-inflamatórios não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização, nem na formação de granuloma; que o tempo de alteração ocular, antes da primeira consulta e as características das lesões não interferiram, de maneira relevante, no tempo de cicatrização corneal. Portanto, conhecer os diversos tipos de tratamento se mostra fundamental para o sucesso da resolução da doença, já que este deve ser específico, realizado de forma cautelosa e por tempo indeterminado, cuidando para que a lesão não progrida e promovendo o retorno da transparência corneal. / Indolent ulcers are superficial corneal ulcers that occurs spontaneously, presents prolonged course and tend to relapse. Commonly observed in middle-aged Boxer dogs, causes pain of acute onset and requires appropriate treatment. The disease is explained by several changes on the corneal surface. Aiming to assess the effectiveness of clinical treatments, recommended by the Ophthalmology Service of the Veterinary Hospital, of the Veterinary College, of the University of São Paulo (HOVET-FMVZ-USP) and to evaluate major considerations registered on its medical records, a retrospective study was conducted (1997 2008). Results demonstrated that, during studied period: most Boxer dogs presented indolent ulcers, corneal dystrophy and cataracts; indolent ulcers were frequently observed in middle-aged female Boxers and most owners took more than 15 days to bring their animals to the hospital; blepharospasm, red eye and ocular discharge were the most owner´s referred ocular alterations at the primary consultation; main features of examined lesions were transparent ulcers presenting non adherent epithelium and/or some degree of vascularization; unilateral, often observed at the right eye, of spontaneous onset and located at the center of the cornea. Regarding treatment, proteinase inhibitors were the most often prescribed medications; its administration did not affect corneal healing or granuloma formation. Vitamin C prolonged, significantly, the corneal healing time, although, its administration reduced its inflammation, observed by the decrement on the granuloma frequency. Corneal debridement / cauterization, did not interfere on granuloma formation and was capable to accelerate, significantly, the healing process. Antibiotics and 1 % atropine did not affect the healing time, but were statistically related to the presence of granuloma. Topical and systemic antiinflammatories did not interfere at the healing time, but decreased, significantly, the presence of granuloma. Not to administer atropine 1%, antibiotics and antiinflammatories, did not interfere at the corneal healing time nor the formation of granuloma. Duration period of ocular alterations before the first consultation and characteristics of the lesions did not interfere at the corneal healing time. Therefore, to know the various types of treatments seems to be fundamental to the resolution of the indolent ulcer, as treatment must be specific, performed cautiously and for indefinitely period, preventing the progression of the lesion, and promoting the return of corneal transparency.

The use of livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) to mitigate farmer-predator conflict in Namibia was evaluated. As farmer-predator conflict has two sides, LGDs were evaluated in terms of livestock production and conservation. The main objectives in terms of livestock production were to document: 1) the perceived ability of LGDs to reduce livestock losses in a cost-effective manner; 2) the farmers’ satisfaction with LGD performance; and 3) factors influencing LGD behaviour. The main objectives in terms of conservation were to record: 1) predator killing by farmers relative to LGD introduction; 2) direct impacts of LGDs on target (damage-causing) species; and 3) the impact of LGDs on non-target species. This evaluation was conducted on LGDs bred by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) and placed on farms in Namibia. The data were collected during face-to-face interviews with farmers using LGDs. Historical data from the CCF programme were used in conjunction with a complete survey of the farmers in the CCF LGD programme during 2009-2010. In terms of livestock production, 91 percent of the LGDs (n = 65) eliminated or reduced livestock losses. Subsequently, 73 percent of the farmers perceived their LGDs as economically beneficial, although a cost-benefit analysis showed that only 59 percent of the LGDs were cost-effective. Farmers were generally satisfied with the performance of their LGDs. However, farmer satisfaction was more closely linked to good LGD behaviour than the perceived reduction in livestock losses. The most commonly-reported LGD behavioural problems (n = 195) were staying at home rather than accompanying the livestock (21 percent) and chasing wildlife (19 percent). LGD staying home behaviour was linked to a lack of care on subsistence farms, as high quality dog food was not consistently provided. Care for LGDs declined with LGD age on subsistence, but not commercial, farms. In terms of conservation, predator-killing farmers killed fewer individuals in the year since LGD introduction than previously; this result was only significant for black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas. However, 37 LGDs killed jackals, nine killed baboons Papio ursinus, three killed caracals Caracal caracal and one killed a cheetah Acinonyx jubatus (n = 83). Farmers and LGDs combined killed significantly more jackals in the survey year than the same farmers (n = 36) killed before LGD introduction. Conversely, five farmers killed 3.2 ± 2.01 cheetahs each in the year before LGD introduction, whereas LGDs and these farmers combined killed only 0.2 ± 0.2 cheetahs per farm in the survey year. Only 16 LGDs (n = 83) killed non-target species. The high LGD success rate in terms of livestock production was facilitated by livestock husbandry practices in the study area. In terms of conservation, LGDs were more beneficial for apex predators than for mesopredators and had a minor impact on non-target species.

Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / MSc / Unrestricted

Unsocialized stray dogs live unrestrained in urban areas, having limited to no direct contact with humans. Aggressive behaviour towards humans leads to their apprehension to shelters, where they tend to stay permanently. This study aimed to determine if unsocialized stray dogs could be rehabilitated and develop the social skills needed for adoption. Six unsocialized stray dogs (Group Stray) and 12 socialized dogs (C1: Control Group 1, n=6; C2: Control Group 2, n=6) housed in a shelter were selected. Stray and C2 dogs went through two training phases: social rehabilitation towards humans and leash training. Sociability towards humans and behaviour on a leash were tested in all groups following Valsecchi et al. (2011). Sociability Tests (ST) and Leash Tests (LT) were conducted before any intervention (ST1), after sociability training (ST2, LT1) and after leash training (ST3, LT2). Training sessions and tests were video recorded and posteriorly analysed by four observers. Results showed that for Stray, but not for C1 and C2, there was a significant increase in sociability from ST1 to ST3. Moreover, for Stray Group there was a significant decrease in the frequency of fear-related behaviours between ST1 and ST3. For leash behaviour, no significant changes were found from LT1 to LT2 for neither group. However, there was considerable individual variation, as not all strays overcame their extreme fear towards humans. These findings suggest that dog­–human interactions can be improved through training for dogs who do not show extreme fear and/or aggression towards humans.

In today’s world, more than 400 different dog breeds have been registered and the number continues to increase, as people come up with new ways of breeding dogs. Purebred dogs are prone to many inherited disorders, inbreeding depression and a decreasing gene pool. Mixed-breed dogs, on the other hand, are said to be less prone to these problems, as they have a higher genetic variation. This review combined knowledge from the last 25 years of research in the field of mixed-breed dogs and purebred dogs to see what we know and what we still need to examine further. The literature all in all agrees that mixed-breed dogs have an increased longevity, although other factors determine longevity other than breed. They also have a decreased risk of some of the major diseases such as organ disorders and cancer but are instead prone to other problems such as ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, behavioural problems such as aggression, accidents and diabetes. Future research needs to take the inverse relationship of body mass and longevity into account when measuring longevity between breeds and more studies should be made in the field of canine cancer, as this accounts for most deaths overall in dogs. / I dagens värld har mer än 400 olika hundraser registrerats och antalet fortsätter att öka gradvis, eftersom människor kommer med nya sätt att avla hundar. Renrasiga hundar kan ha stora problem med ett flertal ärftliga störningar, inavelsdepression och en minskande gen pool. Å andra sidan sägs hundar med blandad ras vara mindre benägna för dessa problem, eftersom de har en högre genetisk variation. Denna översyn sammanfattar kunskap från de senaste 25 årens forskning inom området blandade hundar och renrasiga hundar för att se vad vi vet och vad vi fortfarande behöver undersöka ytterligare. Litteraturen är överens om att hundar med blandad ras har en ökad livslängd, även om andra faktorer avgör livslängder än rasen. De har också en minskad risk för några av de huvudsakliga sjukdomarna som organ defekter och cancer, dock kan de ha andra problem såsom brustet kranialkorsband, beteendeproblem som aggression, olyckor och diabetes, vilket påverkar livslängden. Framtida forskning måste ta hänsyn till det omvända förhållandet mellan kroppsmassa och livslängd vid mätning av livslängd mellan raser. Fler studier bör göras inom området cancer hos hundar, eftersom detta står för de flesta dödsfall totalt sett hos hundar.

Very few behavior-change programs with canines produce effects that persist beyond the training condition. The present study is an experimental demonstration of a constructional program that established calm patterns of behavior as alternatives to hyperactive ones. Three dogs that exhibited hyperactive patterns were chosen as subjects. Seven conditions common to canine-caretaker relationships were used to determine which factors resulted in the hyperactive patterns. Then, sitting and lying down were taught as beginning points using touch as a reinforcer. The final behavior, maintained by naturally occurring reinforcers, was established errorlessly. The study used a control-analysis strategy of behavior change with a changing-criterion design. The intervention resulted in an immediate reduction in hyperactivity and an increase in sitting and lying down for all dogs.