Human-Chelonian Bond in Italy: An Exploratory Study of Pet Turtle and Tortoise Ownership.

The adoption of exotic animals as pets is increasing across Europe. This study explores the human-chelonian relationship in the Italian population, specifically the motivations for acquiring reptiles as pets and the nature of the emotional bonds between guardians and chelonians. A total of 91 chelonian guardians replied to an online survey.

Factors Affecting Hair Cortisol Concentration in Domestic Dogs: A Focus on Factors Related to Dogs and Their Guardians.

Considering the controversial findings in the existing literature, this study aimed to deepen the knowledge about Hair Cortisol Concentration (HCC) in dogs by evaluating the influence on HCC of some factors related to dogs and guardians. Hair was collected from two groups: 128 Healthy Dogs (HD) and 25 dogs with a primary Chronic Gastroenteric Disease (CGD). Guardians of HD filled in a questionnaire, including dogs and respondents' demographic information, and the perceived welfare and behaviour of the dog.

Physiological and Behavioral Evaluation of Shelter Dogs During Veterinary Routine Health Checks.

Shelter environments can be inherently stressful for dogs, a highly social species that forms strong attachment bond with humans. This study evaluated stress responses in 26 shelter dogs during routine veterinary examinations, analyzing behavioral scores alongside physiological and hormonal parameters, including heart rate, body temperature, cortisol (CRT), oxytocin (OXT), serotonin (5-HT), tryptophan (TRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). A significant negative correlation was observed between OXT and CRT (ρ = -0.

New 28-Item and 12-Item Dog Owner Relationship Scales: Contemporary Versions of the MDORS with a Revised Four-Component Structure.

Numerous scales have been developed to assess pet-owner relationship quality. One commonly used measure is the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) and its various derivatives. Since this scale was published in 2006, many social changes have occurred, necessitating a review and, if necessary, refinement of this measure.

Relationship between gastrointestinal nematode burden, blood parameters and hair cortisol in Italian local sheep not treated with anthelmintics.

This study explored the interplay between gastrointestinal nematode burden, blood parameters, and hair cortisol in Zerasca sheep, a local breed of Northeastern Tuscany (Italy). Moreover, the correlation between BCS and Eggs per Gram (EPG) was analyzed to verify the possible parasite impact. The study involved twelve ewes sampled for faeces, blood and wool three times, in the morning, from August 2022 to March 2023.

Exploring Dog and Cat Management Practices in Multispecies Households and Their Association with the Pet-Owner Relationship.

This study aimed to investigate differences and similarities of the pet-owner relationship and management of dogs and cats living in the same household. An online survey was completed by 1270 individuals who owned both dog(s) and cat(s). Most of the respondents owned only one dog (56.

Husbandry Conditions and Welfare State of Pet Chinchillas () and Caretakers' Perceptions of Stress and Emotional Closeness to Their Animals.

For pet chinchillas, limited data are available on husbandry and the human-animal relationship despite their impact on health, behavior, and welfare. We conducted an online survey with pet chinchilla caretakers ( = 336), targeting husbandry practices, health, behavioral indicators of welfare, and human-chinchilla relationships. We further investigated associations between caretakers' perceptions of stress in their chinchillas and emotional closeness to their animals.

Hair cortisol concentrations in clipped and combed hair and associations with characteristics, health status and stress in domestic cats.

Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) are measured to assess long-term HPA-axis activity and may represent a valuable non-invasive tool to evaluate chronic stress in cats. This study investigated combing as a novel, low-stress method for HCC assessment, as well as possible associations between HCC and cat characteristics in 167 owned cats. Hair was sampled at veterinary clinics through clipping and/or combing the cat, or at home by the owner combing the cat.

Animals and Cities: A Reflection on Their Potential in Innovating Nature-Based Solutions.

In recent decades, nature-based solutions (NBSs) have spread in scientific research, and they are increasingly deployed in cities' strategic planning. While the number of nonhuman animals in cities is growing, a specific reflection on the advantages of human-animal interactions as potential NBSs is still lacking. This article aims to provide an overview of the current situation of animals in cities and to explore the roles of animals and their interactions with humans in such a context.

The Emotional Impact of Patient Loss on Brazilian Veterinarians.

Veterinarians, unlike human physicians, could potentially care for the patient for several years, from conception to end-of-life care. Because of their close relationship with the animal, healthcare providers (for example, veterinarians and staff) are more likely to be affected by bad events and end-of-life care. The purpose of this study was to assess the emotional impact of patients' deaths on Brazilian veterinarians; 549 Brazilian veterinarians (78.

Intestinal Microbiome in Dogs with Chronic Hepatobiliary Disease: Can We Talk about the Gut-Liver Axis?

The gut-liver axis represents a current topic in human medicine. Extensive research investigates the gut microbiome (GM) modifications in relation to various kinds of chronic hepatobiliary diseases (CHD), with many mechanisms and therapeutical implications recognized. Those aspects in veterinary medicine are still quite unexplored.

Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ): Validation of the Italian Translation.

The aim of this study is to develop an Italian translation of the 100-item Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) version and to validate its psychometric properties, in order to facilitate systematic, large-scale studies on dog behavior for Italian-speaking dog owners. A total number of 803 responses by dog owners were collected online. Using the Principal Axis Method and Common Factor Analysis with Quartimin oblique rotation ( < 0.

The Cat-Owner Relationship: Validation of the Italian C/DORS for Cat Owners and Correlation with the LAPS.

Globally, most people now own a pet. Scales have been developed to understand the impact of pet ownership on people's lives and to measure specific aspects of the owner-pet relationship. The Cat-/Dog-Owner Relationship Scale (C/DORS) is a tool developed to investigate this relationship in both dog and cat owners.

Impact of Variability Factors on Hair Cortisol, Blood Count and Milk Production of Donkeys.

The increased interest in donkeys because of their milk has led to changes in their farm management. Little is known about the effect of the farming systems on donkey health and welfare. Measuring hair cortisol concentrations is an emerging method to assess stress in animals.

Physiological Indicators of Acute and Chronic Stress in Securely and Insecurely Attached Dogs Undergoing a Strange Situation Procedure (SSP): Preliminary Results.

The quality of the attachment bond towards the caregiver may affect the dog's physiological responses to stressful stimuli. This study aimed to measure chronic and acute physiological parameters of stress in ten securely and ten insecurely attached dogs. The twenty experimental subjects were selected from a sample of dogs that participated with their owners in the Strange Situation Procedure.

Serum Amino Acids Imbalance in Canine Chronic Hepatitis: Results in 16 Dogs.

In humans, chronic liver disease may cause alterations in amino acids (AAs) metabolism, with serum branched-chain AAs (BCAAs) decreasing and aromatic AAs (AAAs) increasing. A reduced Fischer ratio (BCAAs/AAAs) has been found to be associated with hepatic fibrosis and is useful for assessing prognosis in human patients. In veterinary medicine, few studies have been performed, and in contrast to human patients, dogs with different kinds of hepatopathy tend to show both increased AAAs and BCAAs.

The Welfare of Fighting Dogs: Wounds, Neurobiology of Pain, Legal Aspects and the Potential Role of the Veterinary Profession.

Throughout history it has been common to practice activities which significantly impact on animal welfare. Animal fighting, including dogfighting, is a prime example where animals often require veterinary care, either to treat wounds and fractures or to manage pain associated with tissue and where death may even result. Amongst the detrimental health effects arising are the sensory alterations that these injuries cause, which not only include acute or chronic pain but can also trigger a greater sensitivity to other harmful (hyperalgesia) or even innocuous stimuli (allodynia).

Defining Terms Used for Animals Working in Support Roles for People with Support Needs.

The nomenclature used to describe animals working in roles supporting people can be confusing. The same term may be used to describe different roles, or two terms may mean the same thing. This confusion is evident among researchers, practitioners, and end users.

Cat-Owner Relationship and Cat Behaviour: Effects of the COVID-19 Confinement and Implications for Feline Management.

The restrictive measures implemented to stem the spread of COVID-19 abruptly changed the lives of many cats and their owners. This study explored whether the lockdown in Italy affected the cat-owner relationship, as well as cat behaviour and welfare. A survey that included questions on owner and cat's demographics, living environment, cat behaviour and a modified version of the Cat/Dog Relationship Scale (C/DORS) was distributed online during the lockdown and was completed by 548 cat owners, mainly women (81.

Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids in Dogs at Different Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Abnormalities of serum amino acid profile, mostly characterized by a reduction in essential amino acids (EAAs) and an increase in non-essential amino acids (NEAAs), have been documented in human chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Amino acid disorders have been associated with CKD complications, such as metabolic acidosis and malnutrition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate EAAs and NEAAs in dogs affected by CKD at different IRIS stages, with particular reference to calcium−phosphate abnormalities, metabolic acidosis, and protein-energy wasting syndrome (PEW).

Early Blood Analysis and Gas Exchange Monitoring in the Canine Neonate: Effect of Dam's Size and Birth Order.

In canines, size at birth is determined by the dam's weight, which would probably affect the newborn's viability due to litter size and birth order. Fetal hypoxia causes distress and acidemia. Identifying physiological blood alterations in the puppy during the first minute of life through the blood gas exchange of the umbilical cord could determine the puppy's risk of suffering asphyxiation during labor.

Development of the Dog Attachment Insecurity Screening Inventory (D-AISI): A Pilot Study on a Sample of Female Owners.

To date, the Strange Situation Procedure is the only tool available to investigate the quality of the dog's attachment bond towards the owner. This study aimed to adapt a parent-report scale, named the Attachment Insecurity Screening Inventory (AISI) 6-12, originally designed to assess 6- to 12-year-old children's attachment insecurity, to dog-owner dyads and assess measures of consistency and validity. The online questionnaire was completed by 524 female dog owners.

Current Advances in Assessment of Dog's Emotions, Facial Expressions, and Their Use for Clinical Recognition of Pain.

Animals' facial expressions are involuntary responses that serve to communicate the emotions that individuals feel. Due to their close co-existence with humans, broad attention has been given to identifying these expressions in certain species, especially dogs. This review aims to analyze and discuss the advances in identifying the facial expressions of domestic dogs and their clinical utility in recognizing pain as a method to improve daily practice and, in an accessible and effective way, assess the health outcome of dogs.

Anthropomorphism and Its Adverse Effects on the Distress and Welfare of Companion Animals.

Anthropomorphic practices are increasing worldwide. Anthropomorphism is defined as the tendency to attribute human forms, behaviors, and emotions to non-human animals or objects. Anthropomorphism is particularly relevant for companion animals.

Oxytocin Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Lactating Dogs.

Genetic variations in the oxytocinergic system, known to regulate social behavior throughout the evolution of mammals, are believed to account for differences in mammalian social behavior. Particularly, polymorphic variants of the oxytocin receptor () gene have been associated with behavioral variations in both humans and dogs. In this study, we offered evidence of the correlation between levels of salivary oxytocin (sOXT), maternal behavior and a single-nucleotide gene variant in (8679684) in nineteen lactating Labrador Retriever dogs.