Pets

Intervertebral disc disease is the most common disease of the spine in dogs and is a main cause of pain and neurologic dysfunction. This article reviews fundamental aspects of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of disc extrusions. Chondroid metaplasia of the nucleus pulposus is the central mechanism of disc degeneration. The clinical presentation varies considerably, depending on the breed, the location of the disc extrusion, and the degree of neurological damage. Advanced imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, have greatly improved diagnosis, with magnetic resonance considered the gold standard. As for treatment, both medical and surgical management are effective options, depending on the degree of neurological damage and the initial response to conservative treatment. This comprehensive analysis underlines the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to optimize the quality of life of patients affected by intervertebral disc disease. Full article

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

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

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

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

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 (r_s = 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

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

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

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

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

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

In recent years, the European companion animal veterinary care market has experienced significant growth, with 166 million households (50%) owning one or more of Europe’s 352 million companion animals. This expansion is accompanied by a notable market trend toward the corporatisation of veterinary practices, particularly in urban areas and certain countries. Corporatisation has reshaped the profession, offering benefits such as economies of scale, advanced veterinary treatments, and structured career pathways for early-career veterinarians. However, this shift also prompted discussions on the impact it has on rising costs of care, professional autonomy constraints, and potential reductions in rural practice attractiveness. Our comprehensive study, combining a large-scale survey of European veterinarians, semi-structured questionnaires, and an extensive literature review, maps the current state of corporatisation in Europe, identifies key players, and examines its impact on the veterinary profession and broader society. The findings underscore the rapid expansion of corporate veterinary practices and the accompanying competitive pressure on independent vet-owned clinics. To ensure a sustainable future for the profession, our research highlights the need for further investigation to fully comprehend the effects of corporatisation. Addressing these challenges is essential to protect the interests of animals and their caretakers, veterinarians, and the wider society. Full article

Plant extracts, such as olive extract (OE), have been used in human and pet foods for their biological benefits; however, no available data have demonstrated OE’s effect on palatability in dogs. The current study aimed to evaluate acceptance of dry and canned dog foods with differing inclusions of OE as a flavor component. Flavor compounds in OE were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography, detecting 137 volatile compounds, including acetic acid and hydroxytyrosol. Dog kibbles were coated with liquid commercial palatants containing OE that resulted in application rates of 0 (control), 120, 200, and 500 ppm of OE in the diets. OE was also added at 0 (control), 120, 200, and 500 ppm into a wet food formulation with a commercial palatant before retort processing. Two separate panels of adult beagles were used for monadic testing to determine acceptance rates for kibble (5/treatment; 20 total) and canned foods (4/treatment; 16 total) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. None of the tested inclusions impacted food acceptance in this preliminary study (p > 0.05). As a flavor ingredient, OE can be added into dry or wet dog food up to 500 ppm without deterring effects on palatability. Full article

Olive extract (OE) has been used in human foods for its nutraceutical effects, making it a product of interest for pet food. However, OE’s effect on palatability has not been examined. The study objective was to evaluate the palatability of dry cat foods with OE applied at differing inclusions within liquid or dry palatants. Twenty-seven volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for a potentially earthy or fruit-like flavor profile. Liquid palatants were formulated to supply 0 (control), 15, 30, 50, 75, and 150 ppm OE, and dry palatants were formulated to provide 0, 100, 200, 400, and 600 ppm OE when coated onto kibble. Palatability was evaluated using two-day, two-bowl testing of OE-containing versus control rations in adult cats (n = 20) with two-tailed t-tests to determine if OE affected intake ratio (IR). The observed IR of rations with OE were 0.45 to 0.56. The only preference was the 200 ppm treatment (IR = 0.56; p = 0.01) while the other OE rations were not different from the control (p ≥ 0.05). These findings indicate that palatant formulations can supply kibble diets with up to 150 ppm OE for liquid and 600 ppm for dry applications without negatively impacting cat food palatability. Full article

Children with psychosocial, developmental or physical impairments benefit from equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in multiple ways. However, to date, the animal perspective of such interventions has received comparatively less scientific dedication. Thus, heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) of seven therapy horses that lived in an open stable environment and participated in therapeutic group sessions with children were monitored within 60 min prior to and within 90 min after EAT. Moreover, cardiovascular activity was compared to a control condition on a day without any EAT sessions. No significant differences in HR or HRV were found, neither before nor after EAT nor under the control condition. These findings do not give rise to any concern regarding horse welfare in the studied setting but cannot be generalized to a broader population of equines serving in EAT. Given the enormous heterogeneity in EAT, more in-depth research is warranted using behavioral and physiological indices of equine health and wellbeing. Full article

Human–animal relationships have long been idealized as universally positive, but recent studies highlight the complexities and contradictions inherent in this bond. This study re-analyzes previously published data to examine the nuanced effects of pet ownership on human well-being, particularly under stressful circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from three independent surveys (n = 840) were re-analyzed to explore the bio-psychosocial implications of pet companionship. Key instruments included the Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS). Results revealed that pet ownership was significantly associated with higher levels of psychosocial stress, challenging the assumption that pets universally improve quality of life. Notably, individuals with current pet ownership reported lower quality of life compared to non-owners. However, qualitative analyses illustrated perceived emotional and social support among pet owners, reflecting the “pet-effect paradox.” Mental health variables such as depression and loneliness emerged as stronger predictors of well-being than pet attachment. This study introduces the “Aunty Phenomenon” as a conceptual framework to describe the idealization of pet relationships, while acknowledging the responsibilities they entail. These findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach to human–animal bond research. Full article

Background: The growth of the older adult population calls for innovative and cost-effective ways of promoting their physical, psychological, and cognitive health. Human–animal interaction, including pet ownership, is related to positive and negative aspects of human health. Not all pet owners respond in the same way. The levels of pet attachment and pets’ influence on their owners’ lives could moderate the relationship between psychological status and health outcomes. Purpose: We examined the moderating role of pet attachment in the relationships of psychological status (mental wellbeing, happiness, anxiety, depression) to physical function (physical wellbeing, usual- and rapid-gait speeds, physical performance battery) in community-residing older adult pet owners. Methods: A cross-sectional, secondary analysis of pet-owning older adult participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (n = 178). Results: In regression analyses, controlling for age, gender, and comorbidities, pet attachment and pet influence moderated the relationships of physical wellbeing to mental wellbeing and anxiety (p < 0.05). Pet influence also moderated the relationship between anxiety and usual gait speed (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Greater attachment and influence buffer the relationship of perceptions of poor mental function with perceptions of poor physical wellbeing suggesting one mechanism for health benefits of human-animal interaction. Full article

Several recent studies have reported a significantly greater prevalence of Clostridium perfringens encoding the novel pore-forming netF toxin gene in dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome. However, the presence of netF in other canine diarrheal diseases remains poorly characterized. This retrospective, cross-sectional study aimed to describe the prevalence and abundance of netF-positive C. perfringens in fecal samples from 352 dogs with acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Dogs were divided into five groups: acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS), acute diarrhea (AD), chronic enteropathy (CE), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), and healthy controls (HCs). The abundances of C. perfringens 16S rRNA, the C. perfringens enterotoxin gene and the C. perfringens netF gene in fecal samples were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In total, 7 of 15 (46.7%) dogs with AHDS, 10 of 75 (13.3%) dogs with AD, 2 of 120 (1.7%) dogs with CE, 1 of 12 (8.3%) dogs with EPI, and 1 of 130 (0.8%) HC dogs tested positive for netF. This study provides further evidence that NetF may be a significant contributor to the etiology of AHDS and potentially to a subset of acute nonhemorrhagic diarrhea cases, while it was only rarely detected in chronic gastrointestinal disease phenotypes. Full article

(1) Each year, thousands of students leave their pets behind to attend university, often causing separation anxiety and losing a vital stress-coping resource. While many universities offer animal visitation programs (AVPs), their effectiveness in supporting student wellbeing during this transition remains unclear. This randomized controlled trial evaluated psychological mood risk and resilience in a randomly selected sample of first-year university students (n = 145) separated from their childhood pets. (2) Participants were randomly assigned to receive access to a seven-session, biweekly 2 h drop-in program (n = 77) featuring unstructured interactions with therapy dogs or a waitlist control group (n = 68). Assessments of wellbeing were conducted at the start, middle, and end of the semester including depression, anxiety, worry, stress, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, and self-compassion. (3) Regression analyses showed that access to the semester-long drop-in program significantly flattened trajectories of depression (B = −3.05, p = 0.01, d = 0.514), worry (B = −3.92, p = 0.04, d = 0.416), and stress (B = −1.94, p = 0.05, d = 0.386) compared to the control group. Students in experimental conditions also showed improvements in self-compassion (B = 4.03, p < 0.001, d = 0.605). (4) These findings suggest regular access to unstructured drop-in programs featuring therapy dogs may provide valuable psychological support for students adjusting to university life. Full article