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Biomedical subjects

J S Odendaal

Publications and source records attributed to J S Odendaal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Animal-assisted therapy - magic or medicine?

A sound theoretical basis supported by scientifically measured physiological parameters is needed to gain medical support for animal-assisted therapy. Six neurochemicals associated with a decrease in blood pressure were measured in humans (n=18) and dogs (n=18) before and after positive interaction. Results (P<.05) indicated that in both species the neurochemicals involved with attention-seeking or attentionis egens behavior have increased. This information can be used as a rationale for animal-assisted therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A diagnostic classification of problem behavior in dogs and cats.

Veterinary clinical ethology is a relatively new field in veterinary practice; with the development of a new discipline, problems often arise regarding diagnosis and the use of terminology. This article proposes a diagnostic system that can be applied by practitioners and researchers. The classification is divided into six main etiologic categories of behavior problems: (1) problems of a genetic origin, (2) problems caused during the animal's developmental stages, (3) ethogram deviations, (4) disturbed social interaction, (5) disease-related behavior, and (6) adaptation inabilities. Conditions may overlap, and all categories involved in a diagnosis should be mentioned for the sake of clarity and completeness.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A primary health care approach to an outbreak of cutaneous larva migrans.

Primary health care (PHC) has been defined by the World Health Organisation as essential health care made universally accessible to community members, with their full participation, at a cost affordable to the community. PHC could therefore be used in the prevention and treatment of zoonotic diseases in humans, as such diseases are more prevalent in disadvantaged communities. The successful use of PHC principles in the treatment and control of cutaneous larva migrans in children in a semi-rural, low-income community is discussed in this paper. Constraints to implementation of PHC principles were identified as resistance from health care professionals, lack of interdepartmental cooperation and bureaucratic delays. It is concluded that PHC principles can be used successfully for the prevention and treatment of specific zoonoses provided that an aetiological diagnosis is made and the epidemiology of the condition understood. The results also confirmed the relevance of the veterinarian in the control of zoonotic diseases as part of the PHC team.

Ancylostoma↗
PubMed1996

Meaningful relationships in veterinary practice.

Although the veterinarian as a person is not traditionally seen as part of veterinary science research, perceptions are changing. The aim of this investigation was to analyse veterinary practice as a social system, by quantifying interaction within the practice. The veterinarians' biographical parameters of gender, residential area, home language, age and type of practice were taken as independent variables and questions regarding the other factors in practice as dependent variables. Relationships were considered to be statistically significant when p < 0.05 using the chi-square test. Results indicated that younger, female, urban, companion animal, English-speaking veterinarians are relatively more aware of their clients' and patients' needs, as well as the interaction between owner and animal. They are more orientated towards financial success and are more aware of opposition practices. They also ascribe more emotional behaviour to their clients. Rural practitioners in mixed or production animal practices, who are predominantly Afrikaans-speaking, saw their clients as more calculating and omniscient and they are more likely to take their clients' financial position into account. The study revealed the necessity of a new human orientation in successful practice management, from a social system perspective.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

An investigation of the relative morbidity of zoonoses in paediatric patients admitted to Ga-Rankuwa Hospital.

Human-animal interaction is regarded as a positive factor in child development, yet fears have been expressed about the risk of zoonotic diseases. A literature review of zoonotic diseases indicated that it was difficult to judge the relative importance of zoonoses in a population by using incidence or prevalence, as these were not available for all the zoonoses which could occur in children and the data which were available were not comparative. Therefore, in order to investigate the relative importance of zoonoses as a cause of disease in children, relative morbidities were calculated from available medical records from the Department of Paedatrics and Child Health at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital. Diagnoses made were listed and ranked. The relative morbidities of zoonotic diseases were found to be very low. It was concluded that this may have been partially due to the tendency for symptomatic rather than aetiological diagnoses to be made by clinicians, as several of the symptomatic diagnoses made (such as respiratory disease and gastroenteritis) could have had a zoonotic aetiology.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Veterinary ethology and animal welfare.

Renewed interest in veterinary ethology has been stimulated by increasing sensitivity in modern societies with regard to the use of animals, and a concurrent shift in emphasis in the veterinary profession, including veterinary education. Veterinary ethology appears to form the common ground where animal welfare activists and veterinarians can meet. Ethological parameters seem to be adequate when evaluating animal welfare and well-being, as well as for correcting situations of animal abuse. This approach in assessing animal welfare avoids either a mechanistic or an emotional evaluation of the quality of life of an animal. The object of veterinary ethology is to teach responsible animal ownership. A practical checklist is provided which enables the full spectrum of animal welfare and well-being issues to be addressed from a veterinary point of view.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1994

Biographical profile of practising veterinarians in South Africa.

To identify the current South African practising veterinarians' profile, a survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire in 1992. The list of registered veterinarians according to the South African Veterinary Board was used as a frame for the sample. Five hundred questionnaires were processed. The general profile of a practising veterinarian in South Africa was male, between 30-40 years of age, city-dweller, English speaking and working in a mixed practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Demographics of companion animals in South Africa.

A survey conducted in 1992, using a standardised, stratified sample was used to determine companion animal numbers in South Africa as a single geographical entity. The results indicated that there were 3.93 million dogs, 0.97 million cats, 0.98 million birds, 0.22 million other companion animals and 0.1 million horses in South African households. Thirty-seven per cent of households keeping companion animals, kept dogs; cats (13.4%); birds (4.8%); other companion animals (1.1%) and horses (2%). These results may provide information about possible markets in terms of numbers of species kept.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[An analysis of informal veterinary consultations during radio programmes].

A sample of informal consultations based on letters which were sent to a radio programme in which the theme was informal veterinary consultations were analysed. The animal-owner profile, the identification of animals involved and the need which motivated owners to seek such consultations were investigated. The results indicated that the most typical animal owner to participate in programmes of this nature was an adult woman living in the country and the most common animal involved was an intact male dog. The most common area of concern was ethological of nature. Behavioural problems were the most common ethological problem, followed by management and care. The significance of this study for the veterinarian is probably that it recognises the role and importance of informal consultations, that deficiencies in formal consultations are indicated and that it emphasises the need of readily available knowledge of ethology, that informal consultations are unsuitable for serious cases, and that informal consultations give further insight into human-animal interaction from a veterinary perspective.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Human companion-animal relationships in the veterinary consulting room.

A questionnaire, based on 14 years' private practice experience and psychological principles, was compiled to establish the reasons why veterinary clients are involved with their pets. Questionnaires were sent to South African veterinarians country-wide and only clients visiting veterinarians were requested to complete the questionnaires anonymously. Questionnaires (n = 612) were returned and the data was processed by computer. The results indicated that clients are involved with their companion animals for emotional, social and relaxational reasons, which all have psychological implications. They are, however, also involved with their animals by caring for them, and they keep them for utility or economical reasons and also due to their general interest in nature. The latter reasons could be seen as natural reasons for keeping pets. The same relationship between clients and their pets continue during veterinary consultations. Because of this continuing involvement, some clients may consult veterinarians mainly for psychological reasons and others mainly for clinical reasons. There is a constant interaction between these motivations for veterinary consultations. Client consultations of veterinarians could thus be categorised into psychological consultations which are predominantly human/client orientated and clinical consultations which are predominantly animal/patient orientated.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[A historical perspective of human-animal interaction as a field of study].

A chronological review is given of the most important people, publications, scientific gatherings and societies which have contributed to the development and recognition of human-animal interactions as a field of study. Lorenz is recognised as the founder of this new field of study. His contribution was to emphasise the role of humans who have to have a thorough knowledge of animal behaviour and he also pointed out the fact that modern man needs to keep contact with nature. Other pioneers were Levinson who pointed out the therapeutic benefits of companion animals and the Corsons who used animals in hospital settings. The explosion of knowledge in this particular field took place during the 1980's. The first world congress on the subject was held in 1980 in London. Societies involved in this new study field, were established in the United Kingdom, Europe, United States of America, Australia, Canada and South Africa. In South Africa the interest in this field emerged during the 1980's with articles published in veterinary periodicals. It has since developed into a multi-disciplinary approach. A new chair was furthermore inaugurated to teach human-animal-interactions as part of the veterinary curriculum. There is no doubt that the new study field has important implications for the veterinary profession.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Interaction between the veterinarian, the client and the patient].

From the literature it has been established that pets can fulfill specific functions with regard to their owners. The purpose of this investigation is to highlight the interaction which takes place between pet owners and their pets as observed during consultations with veterinarians. The emphasis is however on the meaning of the emotional content of the interaction rather than on the actual functioning of the interaction. The interactions were monitored by means of natural observation, information gained through the completion of questionnaires, information about the client obtained from the veterinarian and content analysis of taped conversations which took place during consultations. The results indicate that the interaction between a pet owner and a pet is one of need fulfillment. Content analysis indicated that the owners attempt to fulfill certain needs through their pets, or conversely attempt to project their own emotions onto their pets. Loneliness and aggression are typical examples of this. A veterinarian who is able to identify his client's emotional needs, can alleviate his problems by giving unconditional support, referring the client with serious emotional problems to a psychologist or consulting a psychologist on behalf of the client.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Client profile of an animal companion practice].

The aim of the study was to gather demographic information from consulting clients, to compile a profile of the typical companion animal client in South Africa. This method differed from other studies in that information was collected from actual clients and not from pet owners. Completed questionnaires (n = 612) were received back from veterinary practices (n = 120) in South Africa. The data was processed by a computer. Questionnaires were completed on a voluntary basis and were anonymous. The typical client in this survey was a young married woman, with one or two children, living in a suburban home, with an average income and 2 companion animals. The most common companion animal presented, proved to be a miniature breed of dog. The advantage of this study is that veterinarians may use it to prepare themselves in terms of the most common type of client as well as of a variety of other types. The client profile also gives an indication of the level at which consultations should be conducted, and may aid the veterinarian in developing a specific sensitivity towards certain clients.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Owner-dog relationships--a decade later].

The first cynological study in South Africa was done in 1976. To establish possible new tendencies in dog ownership, the study was repeated a decade later. The questionnaire included questions on breed, nutrition, care, reproduction, behaviour, training and replacement, and the information was gathered by door to door visits. External factors such as the need for specific breeds for specific situations (security, economics) in the country, availability of reading matter about dogs, the convenience of commercial dog foods, the growing tendency for mothers to enter into fixed employment, campaigns against undesired breeding, improved veterinary services, reports on canine heroism in the media, could all have influenced the patterns of dog ownership. The awareness of these tendencies could be of importance to the companion animal veterinarian.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1987

[Bursitis calcarea in a dog].

A case of bursitis calcarea in a Border Collie showing lameness without acute pain in the right hind leg, is reported. A diagnosis of bursitis calcarea was made on radiological examination. Treatment consisted of anti-inflammatory drugs and rest as far as it was practically possible. After initial improvement, full recovery only took place 2 months after treatment had commenced. Bursitis calcarea is a rare disease which seldom shows clinical signs. As far as could be ascertained, this is the first report of the condition in South Africa.

Animals↗