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Pets, Volume 2, Issue 2 (June 2025) – 10 articles

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12 pages, 2180 KiB  
Brief Report
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Hereditary Polymyositis in the Dutch Kooiker Dog
by Yvet Opmeer, Stefanie Veraa, Simon Platt and Paul Mandigers
Pets 2025, 2(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020025 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 564
Abstract
Background: Hereditary immune-mediated polymyositis has been reported in the Kooiker dog breed, associated with a 39 kb deletion and low penetrance. Approximately 10–20 percent of homozygous dogs and 0.5–2 percent of heterozygous dogs develop polymyositis. This study examines whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [...] Read more.
Background: Hereditary immune-mediated polymyositis has been reported in the Kooiker dog breed, associated with a 39 kb deletion and low penetrance. Approximately 10–20 percent of homozygous dogs and 0.5–2 percent of heterozygous dogs develop polymyositis. This study examines whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can assist in diagnosing polymyositis in this breed. Methods: All dogs in this prospective case study were purebred Kooiker dogs referred for clinical examination to assess them for polymyositis. A dataset was compiled, including sex, neuter status, and, if applicable, age of onset, clinical signs, CK activity, electromyogram, and histopathological findings. MRI was performed using a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner, with T1-weighted, T2-weighted, T2W fat-suppressed short tau inversion recovery (STIR), and T1-weighted post-contrast sequences. Results: Five Kooiker dogs were included in the study. Four dogs exhibited clinical signs compatible with polymyositis (one heterozygous and three homozygous for the 39 kb deletion), while one dog was homozygous for the 39 kb deletion but showed no clinical signs. The clinically affected dogs exhibited T2-weighted, STIR, and T1-weighted post-contrast muscular hyperintensity, and the diagnosis was confirmed with histopathology. The asymptomatic dog displayed no MRI abnormalities. Conclusions: MRI has proven to be a valuable tool in assisting with the diagnosis of Kooiker dogs carrying the 39 kb deletion. MRI can act as a screening tool for dogs with the 39 kb deletion, eliminating the need for an initial biopsy. A muscle biopsy, following a confirmatory MRI, is still the preferred method for diagnosing polymyositis. Full article
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14 pages, 211 KiB  
Article
A Commentary on Perspectives of the Pet Effect: Exploring Public Awareness, Community Impact, and Public Policy Implications
by Aubrey H. Fine, Zenithson Ng, Matthew P. Knight, Taylor Chastain Griffin, Lindsey Braun and Steven Feldman
Pets 2025, 2(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020024 - 10 Jun 2025
Viewed by 820
Abstract
Today, the pet effect is a powerful symbol for advancing the understanding and acceptance of the human–animal bond in societal and policy arenas. The primary aim of this commentary is to clarify the concept of the “pet effect” and demonstrate how advocates for [...] Read more.
Today, the pet effect is a powerful symbol for advancing the understanding and acceptance of the human–animal bond in societal and policy arenas. The primary aim of this commentary is to clarify the concept of the “pet effect” and demonstrate how advocates for this bond can leverage its influence to promote meaningful change and inform public policy. Full article
17 pages, 3614 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Effects of Novel Enrichment Strategies on Dog Behaviour Using Collar-Based Accelerometers
by Cushla Redmond, Ina Draganova, Rene Corner-Thomas, David Thomas and Chris Andrews
Pets 2025, 2(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020023 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 898
Abstract
Environmental enrichment is crucial to improve welfare, reduce stress, and encourage natural behaviours in dogs housed in confined environments. This study aimed to use accelerometery and machine learning to evaluate the effect of different enrichment types on dog behaviour. Three enrichments (food, olfactory, [...] Read more.
Environmental enrichment is crucial to improve welfare, reduce stress, and encourage natural behaviours in dogs housed in confined environments. This study aimed to use accelerometery and machine learning to evaluate the effect of different enrichment types on dog behaviour. Three enrichments (food, olfactory, and tactile) were provided to dogs for five consecutive days, with four days between each treatment. Acceleration data were collected using a collar mounted ActiGraph®. Nine behaviours were classified using a validated machine learning model. Behaviour and activity differed significantly among the dogs. Dogs interacted most with the food enrichment, followed by the olfactory and then tactile enrichments. The dogs were least active during the olfactory enrichment, whereas activity was relatively consistent during the food and tactile enrichments. For all enrichments, dogs exhibited the most exploratory/locomotive behaviour during the first hour of each enrichment period, but this declined over the treatment period indicating habituation. For exploratory and locomotive behaviour, food enrichment was the most stimulating for the dogs with longer daily engagement than for both olfactory and tactile enrichments. These results illustrate that accelerometery and machine learning can be used to evaluate enrichment strategies in dogs, but it is important to consider variation among dogs and habituation. Full article
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13 pages, 4665 KiB  
Review
Canine Obesity: Contributing Factors and Body Condition Evaluation
by Arthenise Gabriely da Conceição Gomes, Kayo Murilo Almeida de Souza Cruz Morais, Nilsa Duarte da Silva Lima, Regina Tie Umigi, José Teodoro de Paiva and Gisele Maria Fagundes
Pets 2025, 2(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020022 - 7 May 2025
Viewed by 1517
Abstract
Canine obesity, characterized by the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders encountered in veterinary practice. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the predisposing factors and methodologies for assessing body condition in dogs. The discussion encompasses [...] Read more.
Canine obesity, characterized by the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders encountered in veterinary practice. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the predisposing factors and methodologies for assessing body condition in dogs. The discussion encompasses genetic, breed-specific, age-related, lifestyle, dietary, hormonal, and owner-related influences contributing to obesity. Key methods for assessing body condition, including the Canine Body Mass Index (CBMI), Body Condition Score (BCS), Relative Body Weight (RBW), and body fat percentage estimation, are critically evaluated for their effectiveness and clinical utility. This review aims to serve as a valuable resource for veterinary professionals and researchers dedicated to the prevention and management of canine obesity, highlighting both established practices and areas needing further investigation. Full article
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18 pages, 1842 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Disease on Behavior: Altering Behavior in the Course of Disease in Aging Cats
by Joana Eisinger and Franziska Kuhne
Pets 2025, 2(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020021 - 3 May 2025
Viewed by 741
Abstract
Associations between age-related diseases and behavioral alterations have been highlighted in previous studies. This study investigates the prevalence of diseases and behavioral changes in non-diseased and diseased senior cats before and after diagnosis, concentrating on four prevalent diseases: 1. osteoarthritis, 2. chronic kidney [...] Read more.
Associations between age-related diseases and behavioral alterations have been highlighted in previous studies. This study investigates the prevalence of diseases and behavioral changes in non-diseased and diseased senior cats before and after diagnosis, concentrating on four prevalent diseases: 1. osteoarthritis, 2. chronic kidney disease, 3. hyperthyroidism, and 4. cognitive dysfunction syndrome. An online survey was performed by 594 German cat-owners with a cat older than nine years; prevalent diseases, related medications, and scaled behavioral questions before and after diagnosis were queried. Chi-Quadrat-Test and Spearman’s rank correlation were used to detect correlations between behavioral changes and diseases. Multiple linear regression was used to determine dependencies between behavioral changes and each disease pre- and post-diagnosis. Half of the cats had at least one disease diagnosed (54.6%). The most prevalent diseases were osteoarthritis (18.9%), chronic kidney disease (12.3%), and hyperthyroidism (8.9%). Cognitive dysfunction syndrome was diagnosed in 2.9% of the cats. With increasing age, the likelihood of developing at least one disease rose (rs = 0.204, p < 0.001). Disease-associated behavioral changes were found in the four mentioned diseases, with some behavioral changes occurring before diagnosis. These findings underscore the relevance of early detection of underlying diseases to decelerate ongoing behavioral changes in treatable diseases. Full article
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12 pages, 907 KiB  
Article
Pet Feeding Practices: A Survey of Dog and Cat Owners’ Current Feeding Practices, Attitudes, and Motivations Within the UK
by Ashleigh R. Hunter and Pamela J. Murison
Pets 2025, 2(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020020 - 3 May 2025
Viewed by 1141
Abstract
The choice of what to feed is a significant decision for a pet owner and is complicated by the vast array of choices that are available. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feeding choices and practices of UK dog and [...] Read more.
The choice of what to feed is a significant decision for a pet owner and is complicated by the vast array of choices that are available. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feeding choices and practices of UK dog and cat owners. An online survey was conducted in which owners were asked about their feeding practices, what they look for in pet food, and purchasing habits, as well as collecting owner demographics and pet signalment information. A total of 520 responses were collected for 682 dogs and cats (572 dogs and 110 cats), with most owners only having one pet. Significantly more cats were fed a mix of wet and dry food or solely wet food, while significantly more dogs were fed raw food. Most owners feed their pets twice a day in a standard bowl and obtain nutritional information online. Furthermore, the most common way to purchase their food is online. There are differences between cat and dog owners feeding choices, with cat owners staying with more traditional methods and more dog owners choosing raw or alternative feeding. Raw feeding has increased in popularity compared to previous studies. Full article
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18 pages, 2348 KiB  
Article
Effects of Metronidazole on the Fecal Microbiota, Fecal Metabolites, and Serum Metabolites of Healthy Adult Cats
by Sara E. Martini, Teresa Schmidt, Wenyi Huang, Amanda B. Blake, João P. Cavasin, Jan S. Suchodolski and Kelly S. Swanson
Pets 2025, 2(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020019 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1815
Abstract
Antibiotics are commonly used to aid in the remission of gastrointestinal diseases, but usage may lead to prolonged dysbiosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of metronidazole on fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, and serum bile acids and uremic toxins [...] Read more.
Antibiotics are commonly used to aid in the remission of gastrointestinal diseases, but usage may lead to prolonged dysbiosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of metronidazole on fecal microbiota, fecal metabolites, and serum bile acids and uremic toxins of healthy adult cats. Twelve healthy adult cats (4.7 ± 0.4 yr) received metronidazole (20 mg/kg BW PO BID) for 14 days (day 0–14) and were monitored during a 28-day recovery period (day 15–42). Fecal and blood samples were collected at baseline (day 0), after metronidazole (day 14), and weekly during recovery (on days 21, 28, 35, and 42). Fecal samples were analyzed for microbiota and bacterial metabolites. Serum samples were analyzed for bile acids and uremic toxins. Metronidazole increased dysbiosis index and fecal lactate concentrations (p < 0.0001) and decreased fecal propionate, butyrate, and secondary bile acid concentrations (p < 0.0001) for up to 28 days. Prolonged dysbiosis and Peptacetobacter (Clostridium) hiranonis reductions were observed in 10/12 (83%) cats. Serum uremic toxins were also reduced (p < 0.0001) after metronidazole administration. The observed changes after metronidazole administration illustrate how changes in the gut microbiome alter microbial metabolism and its relation to host dysmetabolism. In conclusion, metronidazole is a potent antibiotic with persistent effects observed in the microbiome and metabolome, even up to one month after administration. Full article
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22 pages, 1674 KiB  
Article
Altered iso- and oxo-Fecal Bile Acid Concentrations in Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy
by Amanda B. Blake, Linda C. Toresson, Chih-Chun Chen, Patricia E. Ishii, Robert Kyle Phillips, Paula R. Giaretta, Joao P. Cavasin, Jonathan A. Lidbury and Jan S. Suchodolski
Pets 2025, 2(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020018 - 18 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1061
Abstract
Bile acids (BAs) are important signaling molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and are associated with health and disease in humans and animals. Intestinal bacteria transform BA through deconjugation, dehydroxylation, and epimerization reactions, producing various isoforms, many of which have not been investigated [...] Read more.
Bile acids (BAs) are important signaling molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and are associated with health and disease in humans and animals. Intestinal bacteria transform BA through deconjugation, dehydroxylation, and epimerization reactions, producing various isoforms, many of which have not been investigated in companion animal diseases. We aimed to develop and analytically validate a novel liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of 30 BAs in dog feces, with a simple extraction procedure and on-line solid-phase extraction. Validation demonstrated good accuracy, precision, sensitivity, spiking recovery, dilution, and stability for 29 BAs. The method was applied to fecal samples from healthy dogs (H; n = 121) and dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE; n = 58). The immediate and downstream products of bacterial 7α-dehydroxylation reactions with cholic acid were lower in concentration in dogs with CE when compared to healthy dogs (deoxycholic acid, 3-oxo-deoxycholic acid, and 12-oxo-lithocholic acid; q < 0.001). Across all fecal samples, the products of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (including oxo- and iso-BA) made up an average of 30% of the total measured fecal BA pool (glycine-BA, 0.1%; taurine-BA, 2.2%; unconjugated BA, 53%). Full article
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17 pages, 1738 KiB  
Article
Reducing Human-Directed Kennel Reactivity in Shelter-Housed Dogs
by Rachel Gilchrist and Clive D. L. Wynne
Pets 2025, 2(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020017 - 15 Apr 2025
Viewed by 784
Abstract
Many stressors have been identified for shelter dogs, and while stress is a natural physical response, exposure to shelter stressors has been implicated in poor dog welfare including the formation of maladaptive behaviors that manifest as unappealing responses toward humans. Inappropriate behavioral reactions [...] Read more.
Many stressors have been identified for shelter dogs, and while stress is a natural physical response, exposure to shelter stressors has been implicated in poor dog welfare including the formation of maladaptive behaviors that manifest as unappealing responses toward humans. Inappropriate behavioral reactions to humans lead to longer lengths of stay in the shelter, so identifying ways to reduce these responses to human presence would not only benefit the immediate welfare of the dog but could also decrease the amount of time the dog spends in the shelter. Previous studies have shown that response-independent food paired with an auditory stimulus reduced behaviors that likely prolong time to adoption; however, these interventions used an explicit discriminative stimulus where a more easily deployed design would be effective without requiring an additional stimulus to precede the food. The purpose of the present study was to extend that work to evaluate the effect of noncontingent reinforcement on reducing behavioral reactions to humans in the presence both of the experimenter and other people. Overall, the intervention was effective at decreasing human-directed behavioral responses but did not decrease the dogs’ length of stay. Changes in reactive behaviors appear to be limited to the presence of the experimenter during the first and last trials, with improvements generalizing to non-experimenters only for two behaviors: staying in the front half of the kennel and facing the kennel front. Our recommendation for shelters is that this intervention would be most effective at improving behaviors directed at a person delivering treats to the dog. Full article
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14 pages, 1664 KiB  
Article
A Protocol for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Using Freeze-Dried Capsules: Dosage and Outcomes in 171 Dogs with Chronic Enteropathy
by Francesca Brugnoli, Barbara Simionati, Ilaria Patuzzi, Angiolella Lombardi, Maria Cecilia Giron, Edoardo Savarino, Sonia Facchin and Giada Innocente
Pets 2025, 2(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/pets2020016 - 15 Apr 2025
Viewed by 864
Abstract
Background: In veterinary medicine, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shows promise for treating chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs, but standardized protocols for dosage, preparation, and administration are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of freeze-dried FMT capsules (cFMT) and to investigate the [...] Read more.
Background: In veterinary medicine, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shows promise for treating chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs, but standardized protocols for dosage, preparation, and administration are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of freeze-dried FMT capsules (cFMT) and to investigate the existence of a possible optimal dosage for dogs with CE. Methods: A multicenter prospective study was conducted on 171 dogs with CE, treated with freeze-dried FMT capsules (100 mg for dogs ≤ 10 kg, 200 mg for dogs > 10 kg). The dosage of freeze-dried FMT material was expressed in different ways, to investigate the effect of putative active principles. Clinical outcomes were assessed by classifying dogs as responders (R) or non-responders (NR) based on veterinary evaluations from a questionnaire, along with changes in the CIBDAI score and variations in 15 clinical signs of chronic enteropathy (CE). Data were collected before and 15 days after treatment. Results: Of the 111 dogs included in the final analysis, 82% showed a positive clinical response, with no significant differences in clinical response between capsule sizes or dosage, irrespective of how it was expressed. Conclusion: Effective dosage range for cFMT administration in dogs affected by CE was defined. The oral administration of 100 mg of freeze-dried cFMT daily for a month was shown to be sufficient to achieve an 80% response rate. Further studies are needed to explore additional factors that may influence the overall effectiveness of cFMT in treating CE. Full article
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