scholarly journals Laterality as a Predictor of Coping Strategies in Dogs Entering a Rescue Shelter

Symmetry ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanis Barnard ◽  
Deborah L. Wells ◽  
Peter G. Hepper
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Retrieval Task ◽  
Frequent Change ◽  
Preference Testing ◽  
Paw Preference ◽  
Change Of State ◽  
Left Limb ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Cortisol Levels

It has been reported that during the first few days following entry to a kennel environment, shelter dogs may suffer poor welfare. Previous work suggests that motor bias (the preferred use of one limb over the other) can potentially be used as an indicator of emotional reactivity and welfare risk. In this study, we investigate whether paw preference could be used as a predictive indicator of stress coping (measured using cortisol levels and behavioural observation) in a sample of 41 dogs entering a rescue shelter. Cortisol levels and behavioural observations were collected for one week after admission. We scored the dogs’ paw preference during a food-retrieval task. Our results showed that increasing left-pawedness was associated with a higher expression of stress-related behaviours such as frequent change of state, vocalisations and lower body posture. These results are in keeping with previous findings showing that left-limb biased animals are more vulnerable to stress. Paw preference testing may be a useful tool for detecting different coping strategies in dogs entering a kennel environment and identifying target individuals at risk of reduced welfare.

scholarly journals Marking frequency during intraspecific socialization sessions is related to urinary cortisol levels in shelter dogs

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Alberghina ◽  
Gina Pumilia ◽  
Pierluigi Raffo ◽  
Giuseppe Distefano ◽  
Michele Panzera
Keyword(s):  
Creatinine Ratio ◽  
Urinary Cortisol ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Cortisol Levels

The aim of this study was to determine whether behavioural indicators such as marking frequency and whether cortisol/creatinine ratio (C/Cr) are influenced by three socialization sessions.

scholarly journals Laterality as a Tool for Assessing Breed Differences in Emotional Reactivity in the Domestic Cat, Felis silvestris catus

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wells ◽  
McDowell
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Preference Measurement ◽  
Felis Silvestris ◽  
Felis Silvestris Catus ◽  
Indirect Benefits ◽  
Paw Preference ◽  
Breed Differences ◽  
Pet Owner ◽  
Lateral Bias

Cat breeds differ enormously in their behavioural disposition, a factor that can impact on the pet-owner relationship, with indirect consequences for animal welfare. This study examined whether lateral bias, in the form of paw preference, can be used as a tool for assessing breed differences in emotional reactivity in the cat. The paw preferences of 4 commonly owned breeds were tested using a food-reaching challenge. Cats were more likely to be paw-preferent than ambilateral. Maine Coons, Ragdolls and Bengals were more likely to be paw-preferent than ambilateral, although only the Bengals showed a consistent preference for using one paw (left) over the other. The strength of the cats’ paw use was related to cat breed, with Persians being more weakly lateralised. Direction of paw use was unrelated to feline breed, but strongly sex-related, with male cats showing a left paw preference and females displaying a right-sided bias. We propose that paw preference measurement could provide a useful method for assessing emotional reactivity in domestic cats. Such information would be of benefit to individuals considering the acquisition of a new cat, and, in the longer term, may help to foster more successful cat-owner relationships, leading to indirect benefits to feline welfare.

scholarly journals Factors determining the effects of human interaction on the cortisol levels of shelter dogs

2017 ◽  
Vol 186 ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina M. Willen ◽  
Alexandra Mutwill ◽  
Lauren J. MacDonald ◽  
Patricia A. Schiml ◽  
Michael B. Hennessy
Keyword(s):  
Human Interaction ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Cortisol Responses in Adults Who Stutter: Coping Preferences and Apprehension about Communication

1997 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 883-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon W. Blood ◽  
Ingrid M. Blood ◽  
Stephanie B. Frederick ◽  
Heidi A. Wertz ◽  
Kathleen C. Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Communication Apprehension ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Physiological Reactivity ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Cortisol Responses ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Adults Who Stutter

This study evaluated the moderating effects of individuals' coping styles for physiological reactivity to a stressor in the laboratory in 11 persons who stuttered and 11 persons who did not stutter. Reactivity was defined as changes in levels of salivary Cortisol after a stressor. Subjects were grouped according to scores on apprehension about communication. Individuals scoring high on Communication Apprehension showed significantly elevated Cortisol levels compared to those scoring low on Communication Apprehension. Stuttering subjects who scored high on Communication Apprehension and used emotion-based coping strategies showed the largest elevations in Cortisol levels.

scholarly journals Cortisol Levels of Shelter Dogs in Animal Assisted Interventions in a Prison: An Exploratory Study

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 345
Author(s):  
Danila d’Angelo ◽  
Serenella d’Ingeo ◽  
Francesca Ciani ◽  
Michele Visone ◽  
Luigi Sacchettino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Effect ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Therapy Dogs ◽  
Behavioral Reactions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Critical Phase ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
The Impact

Previous studies regarding the Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) have mainly focused on the beneficial effects of human–animal interactions on human health; whereas the impact of such activities on the welfare of the animals involved has received limited attention. So far, few studies have addressed this issue by evaluating the physiological and behavioral reactions of therapy dogs during the interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of AAI on the cortisol levels of shelter dogs. Five dogs participated in weekly AAI working activities with adult inmates held at a prison of the South of Italy for two months. Saliva samples were collected every two weeks in three conditions: at the kennel (baseline), after transportation and at the end of the working sessions. The results revealed a significant decrease in the cortisol baseline at the end of the AAI program, suggesting that the activities carried out with humans and in a different environment could improve the welfare of dogs housed in kennels. Moreover, we found that transportation significantly increased subjects’ cortisol levels, suggesting that it is a critical phase that deserves particular care.

scholarly journals INTEGRATION, AT HAG OR ELSEWHERE, OF H2 (PHASE-2 FLAGELLIN) GENES TRANSDUCED FROM SALMONELLA TO ESCHERICHIA COLI

Genetics ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-614
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Enomoto ◽  
Bruce A D Stocker
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Structural Gene ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Phase Variation ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Frequent Change ◽  
Repressor Gene ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Change Of State ◽  
X Gene

ABSTRACT A fla mutant of E. coli K12 was given fla  + and H1-i by phage P1kc cotransduction from S. typhimurium, then made Fla- by transduction of ah1 from S. typhimurium. Motile clones expressing a Salmonella phase-2 antigen, e,n,x or 1,2, were obtained from the K12 i  ah1 (therefore Fla-) line by P1kc transduction of flagellin-specifying genes, H2-e,n,x or H2–1,2, from Salmonella donors. Of eighteen such transductants sixteen failed to show phase variation, and on transduction back to Salmonella each structural gene for a phase-2 flagellin (or at least for its antigenically determinant part) now behaved as an allele of H1, presumably in consequence of incorporation in the hag region of the K12 recipient, in place of H1-i ah1 . The e,n,x- and 1,2-specifying genes were shown to have been integrated in the K12 chromosome without the linked H1-repressor gene or the adjacent vh2 gene (controlling rate of phase-variation) and they responded to the repressing activity of an H2 allele elsewhere in the cell, in this respect resembling H1 alleles of Salmonella or hag alleles of E. coli. Two K12 e,n,x transductants had flagellin-specifying genes which when transduced back to Salmonella were integrated at H2; they are inferred to have resulted from integration of H2-e,n,x in the K12 chromosome elsewhere than the hag region. These two clones showed phase variation, between a Fla+ phase, with antigen e,n,x, and a Fla- phase (with e,n,x determinant in the nonactive state and the determinant of antigen i inactivated by ah1). The two integrated e,n,x genes when in the "active" state retained the ability to repress expression of exogenote H1 alleles, which indicates that the closely linked H1-repressor gene also was integrated. One of the two exceptional transductants derived its e,n,x gene from a Salmonella donor with the linked vh2  - gene, which in Salmonella almost entirely prevents change of phase, and transduction of this e,n,x gene back to Salmonella recipients proved that vh2  - had been incorporated into the E. coli chromosome along with the e,n,x determinant and the H1-repressor gene. The high frequency of change of phase (Fla+↔Fla-) in the K12 e,n,x  vh2  - transductant concerned suggests that vh2  - fails to prevent frequent change of state of the phase-determinant part of H2 when vh2  - and H2 are incorporated in the E. coli chromosome.

Self-experienced vulnerability, prodromal symptoms and coping strategies preceding schizophrenic and depressive relapses

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 384-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Bechdolf ◽  
Frauke Schultze-Lutter ◽  
Joachim Klosterkötter
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Depressive Syndrome ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Prodromal Symptoms ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Depressive Episodes ◽  
First Time ◽  
Depressive Patients

SummaryFor the first time, the present study explores pre-episodic disturbances, i.e. self-experienced vulnerability and prodromal symptoms, and related coping strategies preceding schizophrenic and depressive relapses. After complete recovery from the acute episode, 27 patients with recurrent schizophrenic and 24 patients with recurrent depressive episodes were assessed retrospectively for pre-episodic disturbances and related coping strategies with the “Bonn scale for the assessment of basic symptoms—BSABS”. All (100%) of the schizophrenic and 23 (96%) of the depressive patients showed pre-episodic disturbances. Patients with schizophrenia showed significantly more often an increased emotional reactivity and certain perception and thought disturbances. Depressive patients reported significantly more often an impaired tolerance to certain stress and disorders of emotion and affect. Sixty-three percent of the schizophrenics and 87% of the depressives reacted to pre-episodic disturbances with coping strategies. The pre-episodic disturbances in patients with schizophrenia could be described in terms of mild psychotic productivity, those in depressives in terms of mild depressive syndrome. Future studies will have to show if these findings can be replicated in first episode or initial prodromal state samples and if the assessment of mild psychotic productivity and mild depressive syndrome can be used for early diagnosis and early intervention in schizophrenia and depression.

scholarly journals Effect of Stroking on Serotonin, Noradrenaline, and Cortisol Levels in the Blood of Right- and Left-Pawed Dogs

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 331
Author(s):  
Mirosław Karpiński ◽  
Katarzyna Ognik ◽  
Aleksandra Garbiec ◽  
Piotr Czyżowski ◽  
Magdalena Krauze
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Plasma Noradrenaline ◽  
Brain Hemispheres ◽  
Left Brain ◽  
Paw Preference ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
The Right ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
The Brain

It has been assumed that stroking relieves stress responses in dogs, and dogs with the activation of the left-brain hemisphere (right-pawed) may show better adaptation to stress conditions. The aim of the study was to determine whether the stroking stimulus induced changes in the level of selected neuroregulators in dogs’ blood and whether these changes depended on the sex and the predominance of the activity of one of the brain hemispheres. The study involved 40 dogs of various breeds and both sexes. The experimental animals were subjected to a behavioral tests (Kong test), and the levels of noradrenaline, serotonin, and cortisol were determined in their blood plasma. The results of the behavioral test revealed that most dogs exhibited increased activity of the left hemisphere. Furthermore, irrespective of the sex and paw preference, stroking the animal was found to alleviate the stress response, which was reflected in reduced cortisol levels and increased serotonin levels. It was found that the plasma noradrenaline, cortisol, and serotonin levels were lower in the female dogs than in the males. Additionally, the plasma noradrenaline and serotonin levels were higher in the right-pawed dogs than in the left-pawed dogs. The present results confirm the assumption that right-pawed dogs adapt to stressful conditions more readily.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effects of a temporary fostering program on shelter dog welfare

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Gunter ◽  
Erica N. Feuerbacher ◽  
Rachel J. Gilchrist ◽  
Clive D.L. Wynne
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Urinary Cortisol ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Animal Shelters ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
The Impact

One of the greatest stressors for dogs living in animal shelters is social isolation. Many studies have demonstrated that human interaction reduces cortisol in shelter dogs, with the possibility that longer periods of interaction may yield greater effects. These types of interventions are contingent upon removing the dog from the kennel and any such reductions in cortisol are often lost when the dog returns to the kennel. More recently, animal shelters are utilizing short-term fostering programs to provide relief from the perceived stresses of kennel life; however the effects of these programs are not well understood. This study assessed the impacts of one- and two-night fostering programs on the urinary cortisol levels, resting pulse rates, longest bout of uninterrupted rest, and proportion of time spent resting of dogs awaiting adoption. Five animal shelters, open and limited-admission facilities, from across the United States participated in the study. During the study, dogs’ urine was collected in the morning before, during, and after fostering stays for cortisol: creatinine analysis. Non-invasive health monitors were worn by the dogs, which collected heart rates and activity levels, in the shelter and in foster homes. In total, 207 dogs participated in the study, and 1,076 cortisol values were used in our analysis. Across all shelters, we found that dogs’ cortisol: creatinine ratios dropped significantly during their fostering stay, but returned to baseline levels after return to the shelter. However, the observed reduction in cortisol varied in magnitude across shelters. We found that dogs of greater weight, age, and average resting pulse rate had higher cortisol levels; and dogs with longer bouts of uninterrupted rest had lower cortisol levels. Dogs had their longest bouts of rest during sleepovers, followed by in the shelter after their sleepovers. Lastly, significant differences were found when comparing in-shelter cortisol values at our five shelters, differences that were in some cases greater than the impact of the fostering intervention itself. Considering the diversity of facilities that participated in this study, it is possible that as yet unstudied, shelter-specific, environmental factors could be contributing to the overall welfare of shelter dogs. Thus while a reprieve from the shelter is impactful for dogs awaiting adoption, mitigating the stressors present in kenneling conditions should also be addressed to improve the lives of shelter dogs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document