The MC1R and ASIP Coat Color Loci May Impact Behavior in the Horse.

Shared signaling pathways utilized by melanocytes and neurons result in pleiotropic traits of coat color and behavior in many mammalian species. For example, in humans polymorphisms at MC1R cause red hair, increased heat sensitivity, and lower pain tolerance. In deer mice, rats, and foxes, ASIP polymorphisms causing black coat color lead to more docile demeanors and reduced activity. Horse (Equus caballus) base coat color is primarily determined by polymorphisms at the Melanocortin-1 Receptor (MC1R) and Agouti Signaling Protein (ASIP) loci, creating a black, bay, or chestnut coat. Our goal was to investigate correlations between genetic loci for coat color and temperament traits in the horse. We genotyped a total of 215 North American Tennessee Walking Horses for the 2 most common alleles at the MC1R (E/e) and ASIP (A/a) loci using previously published PCR and RFLP methods. The horses had a mean age of 10.5 years and comprised 83 geldings, 25 stallions, and 107 mares. To assess behavior, we adapted a previously published survey for handlers to score horses from 1 to 9 on 20 questions related to specific aspects of temperament. We utilized principle component analysis to combine the individual survey scores into 4 factors of variation in temperament phenotype. A factor component detailing self-reliance correlated with genotypes at the ASIP locus; black mares (aa) were more independent than bay mares (A_) (P = 0.0063). These findings illuminate a promising and novel animal model for future study of neuroendocrine mechanisms in complex behavioral phenotypes.

Canine laparoscopic-assisted ovary-sparing hysterectomy does not increase risk of stump pyometra.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate incidences of pyometra and orthopedic, behavioral, urinary/reproductive, neoplastic, or atopic disease processes as outcomes for dogs undergoing either a laparoscopic-assisted ovary-sparing spay/hysterectomy (LapOSS) or a laparoscopic ovariectomy (LapOVE). ANIMALS: 33 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of client-owned dogs presenting between August 2013 and May 2020 for elective LapOSS or LapOVE were reviewed. A multiple-choice client questionnaire was emailed to all clients whose dogs' complete medical records were available. RESULTS: 17 of the 33 dogs were in the LapOSS group, and 16 of 33 dogs were in the LapOVE group. Of the 17 dogs undergoing LapOSS, 5 of 17 (29%) underwent an elective OVE at a later date. The mean follow-up time was 4.2 ± 1.8 years for the LapOSS group and 4.3 ± 2.0 years for the LapOVE group. No dogs developed stump pyometra. One LapOSS dog developed mammary tumor, and 2 others developed nonreproductive malignant neoplasia while 2 of the LapOVE dogs developed malignant neoplasia. One of the LapOSS dogs with malignant neoplasia had an ovariectomy prior to development of disease. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Laparoscopic-assisted ovary-sparing spay appears to provide a safe and reliable method of sterilization, with no observable increased risk of pyometra with hysterectomy. Owners must be counseled prior to surgery regarding the consequences of gonadal hormone retention and multiple heat cycles.

A Descriptive Methodology for Studying the Ontogeny of Object Play and Breed Differences in Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris).

Play behavior is a prominent aspect of juvenile behavior for many animals, yet early development, especially play with objects, has received little attention. Our previous study on object play introduced our general methods, focusing on litter differences in the developmental trajectory of object play and toy preferences. Here, we present a detailed ethogram of more than 30 observed object play behaviors. We focus on breed differences in the development of play in the three following breeds: Welsh Terriers, Vizslas, and standard Poodles. Puppies were video recorded from 3 to 7 weeks of age at half-week intervals upon the introduction of a standard set of five toys into their home environments. Ten minutes of video from each session for each puppy were analyzed using the Noldus Observer XT program. Aside from analyzing individual behaviors, they were also grouped into three behavioral categories. These were behaviors that occurred only in a solitary context, only in a social context, or in both contexts. Solitary object play developed first, and social object play developed later across breeds. There was a significant three-way interaction between breed, developmental age, and the context in which play occurred. Pairwise comparisons within each breed, age, and context are discussed, but a prominent result is that the onset of many behaviors occurred later in Welsh Terriers compared to the other breeds.

Evaluation of a pet-separating automatic feeder and high-frequency meal feeding for weight loss in multi-cat households.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were two-fold: (1) to determine if a feeder system providing individualized food access and automatic dispensing of meals makes weight-loss programs in multi-cat homes easier for cat owners; and (2) to assess if feeding six meals daily reduces food-seeking behavior and increases calorie requirements vs two meals per day. METHODS: Adult cats with body condition scores (BCSs) of 7/9 or greater underwent a weight-loss plan for up to 6 months using a traditional feeding bowl with two meals per day (B2) or an automatic feeder with two meals (A2) or six meals (A6) per day. Cats were weighed at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 and 26 and food intake was adjusted to maintain weight-loss rates between 0.5% and 1.5% body weight per week. Owner questionnaires were completed at each study visit. RESULTS: Twenty-three cats were included in the study. Cats fed from the automatic feeders were more likely to reach ideal body condition (P = 0.006), with 83.2% of cats in A6, 40% of cats in A2 and no cats in B2 achieving a BCS of ⩽6/9. Owners of cats fed from automatic feeders reported the weight-loss plan was easier vs owners of cats fed from bowls (P = 0.01). Owners using the automatic feeders also reported fewer incidences of certain food-seeking behaviors. Neither percent body weight lost per week nor calorie intake per kg differed between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Feeding six instead of two meals daily did not result in faster rates of weight loss or the need to increase calorie intake to maintain appropriate rates of weight loss. However, use of an automatic feeder that provided separated, portioned meal feeding made the weight-loss program easier, reduced food-seeking behaviors and improved the overall success of the weight-loss plan.

Case Distribution, Sources, and Breeds of Dogs Presenting to a Veterinary Behavior Clinic in the United States from 1997 to 2017.

The purpose of this retrospective case study was to evaluate trends over time in case distribution, sources, and breeds of dogs presenting to the behavioral medicine service at a veterinary college referral hospital in the United States. For case distribution and sources, the available records from the behavior service (n = 1923) from 1997 to 2017 were evaluated. Breeds of dogs presenting to all services (n = 51,052) were compared to behavior cases (n = 822) from 2007 to 2016. Over twenty years, 72.2% of dogs presented for aggression, 20.1% for anxieties/fears/phobias, and 7.4% for miscellaneous behavioral problems. Dogs acquired from breeders decreased and dogs from shelters, rescues, or adopted as a stray increased over twenty years (p < 0.0001). The Herding (p = 0.0124) and Terrier (p < 0.0001) groups were overrepresented for behavior problems as compared to all other services over ten years. Variations in terminology and diagnostic approach made comparisons with earlier studies difficult, which underscores a need for a more consistent methodology in veterinary behavioral medicine. Understanding trends in sources of dogs could direct resources aimed at guiding owners when acquiring a pet dog and preventing behavioral problems. Findings related to breeds could help guide research focused on the genetic contributions to behavior.

Extrapyramidal side effects in a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) treated with haloperidol and clomipramine.

A diagnosis of adverse extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) was reached in a 14-year-old female blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) that presented with disseminated dystonia (manifesting as pacing, head bobbing, and circling), intermittent ataxia, and coarse-muscle tremors of 60 hours duration. The patient had been treated 23 days previously with haloperidol decanoate (1.7 mg/kg IM once), and for 3 days before hospitalization with clomipramine HCl at a prescribed dosage of 3.9 mg/kg PO q12h. The patient was treated with supportive care, a gradual reduction in the clomipramine dose, and intramuscular and oral diphenhydramine (2 mg/kg q12h). As commonly observed in human patients with drug-induced EPS, a dramatic resolution of clinical signs was observed within 2 hours after the first intramuscular administration of diphenhydramine. It is recommended that EPS be considered in macaws experiencing neurologic signs secondary to clomipramine administration and, in particular, in those treated concurrently or previously with haloperidol.

Effect of environmental noise and music on dexmedetomidine-induced sedation in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies in human patients suggest depth of sedation may be affected by environmental noise or music; however, related data in domestic animals is limited. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of noise and music on dexmedetomidine-induced (DM- 10 µg/kg, IM) sedation in 10 dogs. METHODS: In a crossover design, post-DM injection dogs were immediately subjected to recorded human voices at either 55-60 decibel (dB) (Noise 1) or 80-85 dB (Noise 2); classical music at 45-50 dB (Music); or background noise of 40-45 dB (Control+). Control- included IM saline injection and exposure to 40-45 dB background noise. Sedation was assessed via monitoring spontaneous behavior and accelerometry (delta-g) throughout three 20-min evaluation periods: baseline, noise exposure, and post-treatment. Sedation was further assessed during two restraint tests at 30 min (R1) and 40 min (R2) post-injection. A mixed model for crossover design was used to determine the effect of noise exposure and time on either spontaneous behavior scores or delta-g. The restraint scores were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Spontaneous behavior scores indicated less sedation during Noise 2 compared to Control+ (P = 0.05). R2 restraint scores for all DM treatments except Noise 2 indicated significantly higher sedation than Control- [C+ (P = 0.003), M (P = 0.014) and N1 (P = 0.044)]. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that the quality of sedation is negatively impacted by high-intensity noise conditions (80-85 dB), but exposure to music did not improve sedation in this population of research dogs.