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Biomedical subjects

D S Mills

Publications and source records attributed to D S Mills.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Signs of travel-related problems in dogs and their response to treatment with dog-appeasing pheromone.

Sixty-two dogs with problems when travelling in the car took part in a non-blinded study aimed at differentiating groups of dogs on the basis of the pattern of signs shown by individual dogs and their response to treatment with a collar impregnated with dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP) for six weeks and general behavioural advice. The dogs were taken out in the owner's car at least twice weekly for nine weeks, and their behaviour was assessed every three weeks to determine the frequency of 21 behavioural signs. On the basis of these signs and by using principal components analysis, the dogs were grouped into five well defined groups, defined as 'excitable', 'nausea', 'tense', 'attention-seeking' and 'elimination'. For the purpose of statistical analysis, the attention-seeking and elimination groups were combined when assessing the effect of the treatment. All the groups showed some statistically significant improvements after treatment, but their responses were not uniform. The greatest perceived improvement was among the nausea group and the least was among the excitable group. In the groups for which there were sufficient data for analysis, there was little evidence of a relapse in most of the signs in the three to five months after the collar had been removed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The effect of human command phonetic characteristics on auditory cognition in dogs (Canis familiaris).

Six dogs (Canis familiaris) were trained to sit and come reliably in response to tape-recorded commands. The phonemes within these commands were then changed, and the dogs' behavior in response to these modified commands was recorded. Performance markedly declined in all cases, with the type of alteration affecting response to the modified sit command but not to the modified come command. The results suggest that dogs do not perceive a tape-recorded command as simply a physical sound but that they recognize a relationship between certain sounds.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of dog-appeasing pheromone as a potential treatment for dogs fearful of fireworks.

Thirty dogs that showed signs of fear in response to fireworks participated in an open clinical trial to assess the potential value of dog-appeasing pheromone for the alleviation of their behavioural signs. The treatment was delivered continuously into the atmosphere of each dog's home with an electrically heated diffuser. At the baseline assessments, the owners identified the behavioural signs of fear that their dogs normally displayed in response to fireworks, rated their frequency and assessed the overall severity of their responses. These measures were repeated at the final assessment and the owners also rated the change in their dogs' responses. There were significant improvements in the owners' rating of nine of the 14 behavioural signs of fear that were examined, and in their ratings of the overall severity of the responses. The treatment was generally associated with a reduction in the intensity of fear but there were variations in the responses of individual dogs.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2003

Field study of the efficacy of three types of nose net for the treatment of headshaking in horses.

Thirty-six owners of seasonally headshaking horses took part in a trial to compare the effectiveness of three types of nose net, a traditional cylindrical net (full net) and two forms of larger mesh nets which cover only the nostrils and dorsorostral muzzle (half nets). Baseline data relating to the overall severity of the problem and 18 specific behaviours describing the nature of the problem were recorded on a check sheet by the owners. A within-subjects repeated measures design experiment, with each net used for a week before reassessment, was then used to assess the effect of the nets on the headshaking problem. Approximately 75 per cent of owners reported some overall improvement with each net; around 60 per cent recorded a 50 per cent or greater improvement and 30 per cent a 70 per cent or greater improvement. The nets significantly reduced the overall headshaking score and the following specific behaviours: up-and-down headshaking, nose flipping, acting as if a bee had flown up the nose, shaking at exercise, shaking when excited, shaking in bright sunlight or in windy conditions (P < 0.0001), striking at the face, shaking at night, rubbing the nose when moving, rubbing the nose on objects, sneezing, shaking in the rain and shaking indoors (P < 0.05). There was no evidence of a significant effect on side-to-side headshaking, shaking at rest or rubbing the nose when stationary, but the effect on snorting was uncertain. There were few significant differences between the nets, but the half nets were reported to be significantly better at controlling 'bee up the nose' behaviour. Horses more than 10 years old were reportedly less likely to show a 50 per cent or greater improvement in 'nose flipping' and 'headshaking at exercise.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Construct models in veterinary behavioural medicine: lessons from the human experience.

Veterinary behavioural medicine is marked by inconsistency in the naming and description of animal behavioural disorders, potentially hindering research and reducing the clinical utility of diagnoses. Sources of diagnostic inconsistency are suggested and parallels with human psychiatry are identified. This paper questions the use of categorical models as the basis for classification and reviews criticisms of categorical approaches in psychiatry. Evidence is presented to suggest an inconsistency between discrete categories and the structure of animal behavioural disorders. The potential benefits of exploring alternative models are discussed. It is concluded that it is important to move away from an approach based on advocacy and towards objective assessment of all available data. Existing diagnoses should be viewed as hypothetical constructs, with the underlying hypotheses being identified and subject to investigation. It is emphasized that global communication, empirical investigations and critical review are necessary for the development of a solid scientific basis within veterinary behavioural medicine.

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed2002

Analysis of the variations in clinical signs shown by 254 cases of equine headshaking.

A national survey of headshaking in 254 horses was undertaken to describe the clinical signs of the condition as observed by horse owners. Principal component analysis was used to determine the underlying structure of 11 signs and the criteria by which the affected horses could be most effectively differentiated; the analysis suggested five components with a variance greater than one which together explained over 60 per cent of the total variance. Other analyses of the data indicated that headshaking could develop at any age and that twice as many males were affected as females; 64 per cent of the horses shook their heads seasonally and geldings were more likely than mares to be seasonally affected. Seasonal headshaking tended to be significantly worse on sunny days but improved on rainy days, windy days, at night and indoors.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of a novel method for delivering a synthetic analogue of feline facial pheromone to control urine spraying by cats.

Twenty-two cats with a problem of urine spraying in the home were enrolled onto a double-blinded placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy of feline facial pheromone (FFP) delivered continuously into the atmosphere in the home through an electrically heated diffuser for controlling the problem. The cats were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups according to a predetermined schedule and later analysis suggested that there were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics of the two groups. Compared with a baseline week during which no treatment was given, the mean level of spraying was significantly lower in the treated group after four weeks, but not significantly lower in the control group. The baseline level of spraying and the treatment, but not the week of treatment, were significant predictors of the amount of spraying during the trial. However, only the type of treatment given was a significant factor in the occurrence of new marks. Linear regression analysis suggested that there was a significant relationship between the amount of spraying and the duration of the use of FFP.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of the welfare implications and efficacy of an ultrasonic 'deterrent' for cats.

The effect of the ultrasonic output of a commercial cat 'deterrent' was assessed by measuring the behaviour responses of 10 cats in a standard test arena. The cats were introduced to the arena approximately nine metres outside the stated range of efficacy of the product and small food piles were placed at one metre intervals towards the device. When the cats were released from the basket, their behaviour and location were recorded continuously. The behaviour of the cats with the device on and off was compared by using a general linear model and chi-squared analysis. Differences between individual cats were a significant factor in explaining the variance associated with the amount of 'relaxed behaviours' (P<0.001), and the time spent within the range of the device (P=0.006). The only significant behaviour changes recorded when the device was on, were an increased likelihood of ear flicking (P<0.001), less time spent actively exploring (P=0.043), and an increase in the amount of time spent in the reported ultrasonic range of the device (P=0.003).

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed2000

Observations on the trajectory of the bullet in 15 horses euthanased by free bullet.

The trajectories taken by the free bullets used to euthanase 15 horses were examined. The point of entry of the bullet relative to the recommended site was measured, together with the angle of the trajectory of the bullet relative to a tangent to its point of entry, the deviation of the trajectory from the midline of the brain, the structures of the brain that were damaged and the extent of this damage. Despite a reasonably consistent point of entry, there were wide variations in the damage inflicted, ranging from the total destruction of the hindbrain to injury to the cerebral cortex alone. The extent of the bullet's lateral deviation from the midline appeared to be the most significant factor affecting the level of destruction to the hindbrain, suggesting that angular direction may be more important than precise surface location in effecting a satisfactory kill.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1998

Personality and individual differences in the horse, their significance, use and measurement.

The biological diversity of a species gives rise to individual differences in behavioural tendency. Traditionally, this variation has been considered to be of little scientific importance or value, but the description and quantification of the fundamental basis of this variability is relevant to many aspects of equine science. The reliable identification of these features may allow the development of more accurate diagnostic and prognostic indicators for a range of clinical diseases. Biologically based traits also provide a more rational basis for selective management and breeding programmes in which specific behavioural tendencies are sought. Individual differences in behaviour also reflect the range of subjective feelings experienced by animals and therefore need to be understood by those concerned with animal welfare. Psychometric techniques concerned with the assessment of personality may provide a suitable basis for scientific study in this field. Potentially methodologies include: behavioural tests, objective behaviour measures or the quantification of reports from those familiar with the subjects. The assessment of the validity and reliability of the variables measured in these tests is an integral part of their development. Interobserver correlation in an experiment based on the subjective rating of 20 horses with respect to 14 familiar terms used to describe horse personality was generally low. This suggests that, with the exception of the terms 'flighty' and 'sharp', the empirical terminology commonly used to describe horse personality is unreliable.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Applying learning theory to the management of the horse: the difference between getting it right and getting it wrong.

Horses constantly modify their behaviour as a result of experience. This involves the creation of an association between events or stimuli. The influence of people on the modification and generation of certain behaviour patterns extends beyond the intentional training of the horse. The impact of any action depends on how it is perceived by the horse, rather than the motive of the handler. Negative and positive reinforcement increase the probability of specific behaviours recurring i.e. strengthen the association between events, whereas punishment reduces the probable recurrence of a behaviour without providing specific information about the desired alternative. In this paper the term 'punishers' is used to refer to the physical aids, such as a whip or crop, which may be used to bring about the process of punishment. However, if their application ceases when a specific behaviour occurs they may negatively reinforce that action. Intended 'punishers' may also be rewarding (e.g. for attention seeking behaviour). Therefore, contingency factors (which define the relationship between stimuli, such as the level of reinforcement), contiguity factors (which describe the proximity of events in space or time) and choice of reinforcing stimuli are critical in determining the rate of learning. The many problems associated with the application of punishment in practice lead to confusion by both horse and handler and, possibly, abuse of the former. Most behaviour problems relate to handling and management of the horse and can be avoided or treated with a proper analysis of the factors influencing the behaviour.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Using learning theory in animal behavior therapy practice.

This article reviews the principles of learning and how they can be employed in the scientific validation of animal behavior therapy. The nature of learned behavior is reviewed at a practical level. General programs for increasing and decreasing a behavior are described, along with guidelines for considering and assessing their efficacy in any given situation.

Animals↗