PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Eliminative Behavior, Animal”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Evaluation of the role of lower urinary tract disease in cats with urine-marking behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether findings of urinalyses could be used to reliably distinguish gonadectomized cats with urine-marking behavior from those with no problem urination. DESIGN: Case control study. ANIMALS: 58 gonadectomized cats (47 males and 11 females) with urine-marking behavior (ie, marking of vertical surfaces) and 39 (26 males and 13 females) without problem urination or urinary tract-associated conditions. PROCEDURE: Urine was collected by cystocentesis from all cats. Findings of urinalyses of cats with urine-marking behavior were analyzed statistically for sex-related differences and differences between cats that marked vertical surfaces only and those that marked both vertical and horizontal surfaces; findings of urinalyses of control cats were compared between sexes. Subsequently, results of urinalyses of cats with urine-marking behavior were compared with those of control cats. RESULTS: With regard to variables measured via urinalysis, there were no differences between male and female cats within either group. Among cats with urine-marking behavior, there were no differences between those that only marked vertically and those that marked vertically and horizontally. Analyses of data from all cats with urine-marking behavior and control cats revealed no differences that could be associated with urine marking. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data suggest that urine-marking behavior by gonadectomized cats is an aspect of normal behavior. Clinicians are advised to focus on behavioral history of house-soiling cats to differentiate between urine-marking behavior and inappropriate urination; for the latter, urinalysis is appropriate to rule out lower urinary tract disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Single-dose and 13-week repeated-dose neurotoxicity screening studies of chlorpyrifos insecticide.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF), a widely used organophosphate insecticide, was screened for neurotoxic effects in Fischer 344 rats using United States Environmental Protection Agency 1991 guidelines for single-dose and 13-wk repeated dose studies. The studies emphasized a functional observational battery (which included grip performance and hindlimb splay tests), automated motor activity testing and comprehensive neurohistopathology of perfused tissues. Doses of up to 100 mg/kg body weight in corn oil by gavage in the single-dose study and up to 15 mg/kg body weight/day in diet for 13 wk in the repeated dose study were administered. It is known that CPF and other phosphorothionates can be activated to the oxon in local (extrahepatic) tissues. Local activation could possibly cause different effects in different tissues with cholinergic innervation, and thereby create syndromes unique to each phosphorothionate according to their structure. Consequently, the conduct of CPF neurotoxicity screening studies by contemporary guidelines offered opportunity to characterize the CPF over-exposure syndrome in rats. Single-dose high levels of oral exposure to CPF caused a range of clinical signs characteristic of cholinergic overstimulation. Although there was no clinical evidence of wide differences in sensitivity of one cholinergic response versus another, motor dysfunction (incoordination etc.) was more prominent than other signs, for example soiling. Effects were much more apparent in females and regressed over several days. Effects were minimal in the 13-wk study, and there was no evidence of accumulation of toxicity during the 13 wk of daily dietary exposure. Motor activity was decreased at the high dose in males and females at wk 4, but was not significantly different from controls in subsequent weeks. The 'normalization' of motor activity later in the study was interpreted as tolerance to repeated administration of CPF. Comprehensive neuropathological examination revealed no treatment-related lesions in either study.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Nocturnal digestion, cloacal excretion, and digestion-related thermogenesis in pigeons (Columba livia).

Two indicators of nocturnal digestive activity were identified in pigeons. Experiment 1 showed that a sizable amount of food empties from the crop while pigeons are inactive during the night. Experiment 2 showed that the number and volume of cloacal droppings during the night were directly related to the volume of food consumed during the day. The temporal pattern of cloacal droppings in the night was systematically related to features of the nocturnal body temperature (Tb) curves, suggesting that excretory activity is thermogenic in its own right and/or that it is a marker for a thermogenic process in the upper digestive tract. Questions about the relationship between digestion-related thermogenesis and shivering thermogenesis during the night in birds are highlighted by these findings.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A pilot study using synthetic feline facial pheromone for the management of feline idiopathic cystitis.

Synthetic feline facial pheromone (FFP) (Feliway; Ceva Animal Health) was assessed for the management of cats with recurrent feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). Nine of 12 cats completed the randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study. They had their environment treated daily with either FFP or placebo for 2 months, after which time the treatment groups were reversed. Owners used visual analogue scales to define the severity of their cat's clinical signs and behavioural changes. Five (56%) of the owners stated that their cat's overall health was better when they were using FFP. Four (44%) of the owners noticed no difference between when using the FFP and when using the placebo. While there were no statistical differences between the two treatment groups there was a trend for the cats exposed to FFP to show fewer days with clinical signs of cystitis (FFP total, mean per cat+/-standard deviation, 30, 4.3+/-6.7; placebo 69, 9.9+/-19.1), a lower overall clinical score (1667, 238+/-476; 2009, 287+/-425), a reduced number of episodes of cystitis (9, 1.3+/-2.0; 10, 1.4+/-2.1) and reduced negative behavioural traits (e.g., less aggression and fear) (-128, -18.3+/-65.8; -73, -10.4+/-35.1).

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Systemic absorption of amitriptyline and buspirone after oral and transdermal administration to healthy cats.

A prospective study was performed to determine the relative availability of buspirone and amitriptyline after oral and transdermal routes of administration in 6 adult cats. For topical administration, drugs were compounded in a transdermal organogel containing pluronic and lecithin (PLO). Using a crossover design, each cat received a single dose of amitriptyline (5 mg) and buspirone (2.5 mg) by the transdermal and oral route of administration with at least a 2-week washout interval between drug treatments. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours after drug administration for determination of plasma drug concentrations. Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive amitriptyline and buspirone were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. Systemic absorption of amitriptyline and buspirone administered by the transdermal route was poor compared with the oral route of administration. Until supporting pharmacokinetic data are available, veterinarians and cat owners should not rely on the transdermal route of administration for treating cats with amitriptyline or buspirone.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1995

Farm animal well-being and intensive production systems.

Animal welfare, or well-being, is a social issue with ethical, scientific, political, and aesthetic properties. Answering questions about the welfare of animals requires scientific definition, assessment, solutions, and public acceptance. With respect to the actual well-being of the animal, most issues are centered on how the animal "feels" when managed within a specific level of confinement, during special agricultural practices (e.g., tail docking, beak trimming, etc.) and handling. Questions of this nature may require exploration of animal cognition, motivation, perception, and emotional states in addition to more commonly recognized indicators of well-being. Several general approaches have emerged for solving problems concerning animal well-being in intensive production systems: environmental, genetic, and therapeutic. Environmental approaches involve modifying existing systems to accommodate specific welfare concerns or development of alternative systems. Genetic approaches involve changing the behavioral and (or) physiological nature of the animal to reduce or eliminate behaviors that are undesirable within intensive system. Therapeutic approaches of a physical (tail docking, beak trimming) and physiological (drug and nutritional therapy) nature bring both concern and promise with regard to the reduction of confinement stress. Finally, the recent focus on commodity quality assurance programs may indirectly provide benefits for animal well-being. Although research in the area of animal well-being will provide important information for better animal management, handling, care, and the physical design of intensive production systems there is still some uncertainty regarding public acceptance. The aesthetics of modern intensive production systems may have as much to do with public acceptance as with science.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A retrospective study of canine house soiling: diagnosis and treatment.

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the relative frequency and type of elimination problem seen in dogs at a university referral practice and to evaluate the efficacy of the suggested treatments. Cases presented to the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell University between 1987 and 1996 were reviewed. Of 1,173 cases, 105 (9%) were house-soiling cases. Of these cases, the authors obtained outcome information from 70. Within the diagnosis of house soiling, incomplete housebreaking (n=59; 84%) were the most frequent referral cases, of which 48 cases (81%; 95% confidence interval, 69% to 90%) improved. Separation anxiety was considered the second most common underlying cause (n=27; 39%), of which 85% (n=23; 95% confidence interval, 66% to 96%) improved. Behavior modification was the most often suggested treatment (n=58), with 48 (83%) cases improving. Behavior modification consisted of accompanying the dog to the preferred elimination area, rewarding the dog for eliminating there, and punishing the dog only when caught in the act of house soiling. These results suggest that correct house training, behavior modification involving positive reinforcement, and appropriate punishment are essential to diminish house-soiling problems in dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Prefrontal lesion reverses abnormal mesoaccumbens response in an animal model of schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: A neonatal hippocampal lesion induces postpubertal behavioral alterations resembling phenomena observed in schizophrenia. We have recently reported that nucleus accumbens neurons exhibit altered response to ventral tegmental area activation, but only when animals with this lesion reach adulthood. Because a prefrontal cortical lesion eliminates postpubertal abnormal behaviors in these animals, we investigated whether altered accumbens responses were reversed with this manipulation. METHODS: In vivo intracellular recordings were conducted in accumbens neurons in rats that had received neonatal hippocampal lesions combined with either adult prefrontal cortical lesion or sham treatment. Accumbens response to mesolimbic pathway activation was recorded in these animals. RESULTS: Accumbens neurons from animals with a neonatal hippocampal lesion and an adult prefrontal sham operation still showed altered accumbens response to mesolimbic stimulation. On the other hand, most animals with combined neonatal hippocampal and adult prefrontal lesions exhibited responses similar to those of naïve animals. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that abnormal behaviors in these animals might be related to excessive prefrontal drive of accumbens neurons upon dopamine activation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The pathophysiologic basis of behavior problems.

A wide range of physical disorders in small animals manifest as abnormal behavior. Owners may present physically ill animals exhibiting aggression or other personality changes, self-mutilation or excessive pruritus, hyperactivity, abnormal elimination patterns, or other problems. Pathophysiology should be investigated in cases of sudden or persistent changes in the behavior of an animal.

Aggression↗
PubMed1978

[Psychotropic effect of Elroquil].

The psychotropic effect of Elroquil has been studied in 13 cats (8 of them having electrodes implanted in the hypothalamus). Diazepam was used as the reference drug. By electrical stimulation of the brain structures various states of excitation, such as rage, anxiety, restlessness and negation could be provoked. Evaluation was made by a scoring scale and multivector analysis. When administered in doses of 15--20 mg/kg, Elroquil had a reliable tranquilizing effect, without any negation occurring. Only in doses of 40 mg/kg had aggressiveness and rage to be subdued. However, a neurosis-like condition could not be managed. Characteristically, Elroquil neither changed the group behavior of the animals, nor eliminated conflict situations. Ataxia was not stimulated. The vegetative correlation of emotional strain was changed in length but not in intensity.

Aggression↗
PubMed1992

Behavioral effects of neural transplantation.

Considerable evidence suggests that transplantation of fetal neural tissue ameliorates the behavioral deficits observed in a variety of animal models of CNS disorders. However, it is also becoming increasingly clear that neural transplants do not necessarily produce behavioral recovery, and in some cases have either no beneficial effects, magnify existing behavioral abnormalities, or even produce a unique constellation of deficits. Regardless, studies demonstrating the successful use of neural transplants in reducing or eliminating behavioral deficits in these animal models has led directly to their clinical application in human neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease. This review examines the beneficial and deleterious behavioral consequences of neural transplants in different animal models of human diseases, and discusses the possible mechanisms by which neural transplants might produce behavior recovery.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Axonal regeneration in the adult lamprey spinal cord.

Larval sea lampreys recover from complete spinal transection by a process involving directionally specific axonal regeneration. In order to determine whether this is also true of adults, 14 adult lampreys were transected at the level of the 5th gill and allowed to recover for 10 weeks. Müller and Mauthner cells and their giant reticulospinal axons (GRAs) were impaled with microelectrodes and injected with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The tissue was processed for HRP histochemistry and wholemounts of brain and spinal cord were prepared. All animals recovered coordinated swimming; 61 of 121 (50%) neurites emanating from 30 axons regenerated caudal to the scar into the distal stump. Of the neurites which had grown beyond the scar, 92% were correctly oriented, i.e., caudalward and ipsilateral to the parent axon. Retransection in two additional animals eliminated the recovered swimming. Thus, behavioral recovery in adult sea lampreys is accompanied by directionally specific axonal regeneration.

Animals↗