scholarly journals Effects of Human Presence and Voice on the Behaviour of Shelter Dogs and Cats: A Preliminary Study

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 406
Author(s):  
Adele Tuozzi ◽  
Christine Arhant ◽  
Kristina Anderle ◽  
Jessica Backes ◽  
Catherine Cords ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Auditory Stimulation ◽  
Vertical Dimension ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Gaze Direction ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Reading Condition ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Preliminary Study

Reading books to shelter animals combining auditory enrichment with human presence is increasingly used although its effects on animal welfare have not yet been investigated. This study compared the behaviour of single-housed shelter dogs and cats during a prerecorded reading condition in the absence or presence of an unfamiliar human (without direct physical contact). Fourteen dogs and twenty-one cats were observed in their enclosure in the two conditions in a counterbalanced order. Behaviours such as scratching the door, gaze direction and location in relation to the audio source/human were analysed from video recording for 10 min per condition. Dogs spent more time in their bed (p < 0.047) and looking at the auditory source (p < 0.004) when a human was present. Cats showed door scratching and rubbing when a human was present (p < 0.043), whereas they tended to spend more time in the vertical dimension (p = 0.051), where the hiding boxes were located, during auditory stimulation without a human present. These results show that the presence of a human induces greater interest compared to just audio stimulation in shelter dogs and cats but may induce frustration likely due to not being able to physically interact in some animals.

scholarly journals Two Ends of the Leash: Relations Between Personality of Shelter Volunteers and On-leash Walking Behavior With Shelter Dogs

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao-Yu Shih ◽  
Mandy B. A. Paterson ◽  
Fillipe Georgiou ◽  
Leander Mitchell ◽  
Nancy A. Pachana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Video Recording ◽  
Body Language ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Hand Gestures ◽  
Walking Behavior ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Human Personality ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Neo Five Factor Inventory ◽  
And Behavior

Human personality influences the way people interact with dogs. This study investigated the associations between the personality of animal shelter volunteers and behavior during on-leash walks with shelter dogs. Video recording and a canine leash tension meter were used to monitor the on-leash walking. Personality was measured in five dimensions (neurotic, extroverted, open, agreeable and conscientious) with the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Neurotic volunteers pulled the leash harder and tended to interact with dogs using more body language; dogs being walked by neurotic volunteers in turn displayed more lip-licking and body shaking and were more likely to be rated as well-behaved. Extroverted volunteers were associated with stronger maximal leash tension at both the human and dog ends of the leash, and they praised the dog more, often in a high pitched voice. These volunteers eliciting more tail-wagging and body shaking by the dog. Extroverted volunteers were also more tolerant of different dog behaviors. Volunteers with personalities characterized by “openness to experiences” were less likely to verbally attract the attention of dogs, praise dogs and talk to them in a high-pitched voice; however, dogs walked by these volunteers were more likely to pull on the leash, and engaged in more lip-licking but less sniffing. “Agreeable” volunteers liked to verbally attract the attention of the dogs and more commonly initiated hand gestures and physical contact, causing the dogs to pull less frequently; dogs in these dyads displayed more gazing and lip-licking behaviors. Conscientious volunteers were less likely to pull the leash and tended to have more physical contact with the dogs but did not favor verbal communication and did not use a high pitched voice.

Wireless parathyroid detection device using autofluorescence and smart glasses: A preliminary study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Chang Hwan Ryu ◽  
Jungirl Seok ◽  
Yu Lim Choi ◽  
Seok-ki Kim ◽  
Yuh-Seog Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Autofluorescence Imaging ◽  
Agreement Rate ◽  
Smart Glasses ◽  
Practical Effect ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Positive Agreement

BACKGROUND: Autofluorescence imaging technology has been utilized for preserving or identifying parathyroid glands (PTGs) during thyroid surgery. We developed a wireless PTGs detection device linked with smart glasses that allows for real-time video recording and screen switching according to the light source. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to confirm the feasibility of the device and whether it would help preserve the PTG during the surgery. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in 30 patients with 66 PTGs. The device’s agreement with the physician’s judgment was evaluated, and we determined how many PTGs were preserved from thyroidectomy. RESULTS: The positive agreement rate for PTGs detection between the surgeon and device was 70.9%. Inadvertent parathyroidectomy was identified in surgical specimens of 6 patients (20%). No PTG was removed when it was confirmed by the device (0/39). Of the 27 glands not detected by the device, there was inadvertent removal of 6 PTGs. CONCLUSIONS: PTGs can be preserved successfully when the detection of them by the device is consistent with the surgeon’s discretion. A large-scale controlled study is necessary to demonstrate the practical effect of this device on hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy.

scholarly journals The Effect of Extensive Human Presence at an Early Age on Stress Responses and Reactivity of Juvenile Ostriches towards Humans

Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pfunzo Muvhali ◽  
Maud Bonato ◽  
Anel Engelbrecht ◽  
Irek Malecki ◽  
Denise Hough ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Stress Sensitivity ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Human Voice ◽  
Sexual Display

The effect of extensive human presence and regular gentle handling performed at an early age (0–3 months old) on stress responses and reactivity of juvenile ostriches towards humans was investigated. A total of 416 ostrich chicks over two years were exposed to one of three treatments for three months after hatching; namely, Human Presence 1 (HP1, N = 144): extensive/prolonged human presence with physical contact (touch, stroking), gentle human voice, and visual stimuli; Human Presence 2 (HP2, N = 136): extensive/prolonged human presence without physical contact, but with gentle human voice and visual stimuli; and the Standard treatment (S, N = 136): human presence limited to routine feed and water supply as a control. At 7.5 months of age, the plasma heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio was measured before and 72 h after feather harvesting and feather clipping to determine acute stress responses, while chronic stress was measured by quantification of corticosterone (CORT) concentrations in the floss feathers of the birds. Birds’ behavioural response towards a familiar or an unfamiliar handler was evaluated at 12 months using docility and fear tests, and through behavioural observations conducted on random days between the ages of 8–13 months. Willingness to approach, and to allow touch interactions, aggressiveness, and exhibition of sexual display towards the handler, was recorded. No difference in the H/L ratios before and after feather harvesting and clipping was observed in HP1 birds, whereas H/L ratios showed a significant increase 72 h post feather harvesting and clipping in HP2 and S birds (p < 0.05). Birds from the S treatment exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) higher feather CORT concentration compared with HP1 birds, while HP2 birds had intermediate responses. Birds’ reactivity towards humans and temperament as evaluated using behavioural observations, docility, and fear tests was not affected by treatment (p > 0.05). However, HP1 and HP2 birds were more inclined (p < 0.05) to approach a familiar rather than an unfamiliar handler during the behavioural observations, indicating an ability to distinguish between a familiar and an unfamiliar handler. Overall, the results indicate that early gentle human interactions with ostrich chicks can be beneficial in reducing physiological stress sensitivity later in life and facilitate the ability of ostriches to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar handlers.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Study Investigating the Impact of Musical Concerts on the Behavior of Captive Fiordland Penguins (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) and Collared Peccaries (Pecari tajacu)

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2035
Author(s):  
Lara Fanning ◽  
Hannah Larsen ◽  
Peta S. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Animal Behaviour ◽  
Anthropogenic Noise ◽  
Pecari Tajacu ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Captive Animal

Captive animal welfare is important for establishments that exhibit species for education, conservation, and research. However, captive animals are often exposed to a number of potential stressors, such as visitors and anthropogenic noise. We aimed to identify the impact of a concert series on the behaviour of Fiordland penguins (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus; n = 2), and solitary- (n = 1) or group- (n = 4)-housed collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu). Animal behaviour, visitor density, and visitor behaviour was monitored pre-concert (afternoons; 16:00–19:00), during the concert (evenings; 19:00–21:00), and post-concert (nights; 21:00–00:00) on concert days (penguin n = 7 days; peccary n = 8 days) and in the same periods on days when there was no concert (penguin n = 8 days; peccary n = 6 days). Fiordland penguins spent more time surface swimming and diving in the pool on concert afternoons and evenings (all p < 0.001), more time in the nest on concert nights (p < 0.001), preened less on concert afternoons and nights (p = 0.019), and engaged with their habitat less on concert evenings and nights (p = 0.002) compared to these periods on days without a concert. The group-housed peccaries slept more in the afternoon and evening (p ≤ 0.01) and were more vigilant at night (p = 0.009) on concert days compared to no-concert days. The solitary-housed peccary slept more on concert nights (p = 0.035), rested more frequently across all time periods on concert days (p < 0.001), and used the front of the enclosure more across all concert time periods (p < 0.001) compared to no-concert days. We provide evidence that behaviour was altered on event days; however, we cannot determine the nature of these changes. Further research is needed to understand the impact of music concerts on zoo animal welfare.

scholarly journals Who Is Pulling the Leash? Effects of Human Gender and Dog Sex on Human–Dog Dyads When Walking On-Leash

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao-Yu Shih ◽  
Mandy B. A. Paterson ◽  
Fillipe Georgiou ◽  
Nancy A. Pachana ◽  
Clive J. C. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Physical Contact ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
High Position ◽  
Pull Strength ◽  
Behavioural Interactions ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Walking Exercise ◽  
Women Volunteers

Previous studies have indicated that human gender and canine sex influences human–dog interactions. However, the majority of studies have considered the interaction when dogs were off-leash and the behavioural interactions when dogs are walked on a leash have not been addressed. This study investigated human–dog interactions when shelter volunteers take shelter dogs for an on-leash walk. Video records were made of 370 walks, involving 74 volunteers and 111 shelter dogs, and a leash tension meter was used to determine the pull strength of dogs and walkers. Human gender and canine sex had dyadic effects during the walk. Male dogs tended to pull more frequently and created increased leash tensions. Dogs displayed more stress related behaviours when interacting with men than women, with the signs being spending less time holding the tail in the high position, and more frequent gazing and lip-licking behaviours. Finally, there was a greater pre-disposition in women to use verbal commands, and language typically used with babies, while men were more inclined to have physical contact with dogs. This study’s results may be used to match shelter dogs with appropriate men and women volunteers for walking exercise of the dog, and to improve potential dog socialisation efforts by shelters.

scholarly journals The Application of Infrared Thermography in Monitoring Reproduction Physiology Status of Ruminant Due to Heat Stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Fitra Aji Pamungkas ◽  
B P Purwanto ◽  
W Manalu ◽  
A Yani ◽  
R G Sianturi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Temperature Distribution ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Infrared Thermography ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Safe Technique ◽  
Non Destructive

Assessment on reproduction physiological parameters of ruminant caused by thermal stress usually uses invasive methods. However, these methods are less accurate because they are subjective, require a significant time and resources, and there are problems in animal welfare. Infrared thermography is one alternative solution that can be used. Infrared thermography is a modern, non-invasive, non-destructive, and safe technique to visualize thermal profile and surface temperature. This paper describes the application of infrared thermography in monitoring reproduction physiology status of ruminant. This method does not require physical contact and allows direct visualisation of temperature distribution so that it can be used as a reference in understanding and evaluating several parameters in livestock.

scholarly journals Animal-based measures on fattening heavy pigs at the slaughterhouse and the association with animal welfare at the farm level: a preliminary study

animal ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Maisano ◽  
M. Luini ◽  
N. Vitale ◽  
S. Rota Nodari ◽  
F. Scali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Preliminary Study

scholarly journals Sow preference for types of flooring in farrowing crates

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Phillips ◽  
D. Fraser ◽  
B. K. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Strong Preference ◽  
Testing Apparatus ◽  
Concrete Floor ◽  
Preference Testing ◽  
Continuous Access ◽  
Floor Material

A preference-testing apparatus was used to provide sows with continuous access to three identical farrowing crates, each with a different type of flooring. The crates radiated from a central hub area sufficiently large for sows to enter or leave any crate freely. In exp. 1, nine sows from a concrete-floored gestation room were offered crates over concrete, plastic-coated rod, and galvanized metal rod. In exp. 2, 18 sows were pre-exposed for a period of 1 wk to one of the three floors before entry into the preference testing apparatus. Video recording was used to determine sow position from 3 d before to 13 d after farrowing in exp. 1 and for a 3-d period before and 3-d period after farrowing in exp. 2. In exp. 1, sows showed a strong preference (P < 0.05) for the concrete floor before farrowing, but this preference had diminished by the final week in the apparatus (P ≈ 0.16). In exp. 2, sows pre-exposed to metal or plastic-coated flooring made more voluntary use of these products, but the metal floor was strongly avoided during and immediately after farrowing. Overall, concrete seemed to be a preferred floor material for sows at farrowing. Key words: Sow, farrowing crate, flooring, preference testing, animal welfare

scholarly journals Effects of Emotionally Charged Auditory Stimulation on Gait Performance in the Elderly: A Preliminary Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 690-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
John-Ross Rizzo ◽  
Preeti Raghavan ◽  
J.R. McCrery ◽  
Mooyeon Oh-Park ◽  
Joe Verghese
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Auditory Stimulation ◽  
Gait Performance ◽  
Preliminary Study
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