A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Compression Wraps as an Anxiolytic in Domesticated Dogs.

Many domesticated dogs show signs of anxiety, negatively impacting their own and their owner's mental and physical health. A systematic review evaluating whether pressure wraps decrease clinical signs of anxiety in dogs was completed to identify relevant studies. The main outcomes of interest included behavioral and physiological measures.

Qualitative Exploration of the Hidden Curriculum in Communicating Dog Breed Stereotypes During Veterinary Clinical Training.

Cultural transmission of breed-specific beliefs about canine pain sensitivity occurs during veterinary education and training. However, breed-specific beliefs held by veterinarians do not align well with experimental measures of pain observed across dog breeds and are unlikely to be helpful in clinical decision making. The aim of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of dog breed pain stereotypes are developed and/or reinforced during clinical veterinary training.

Longitudinal evidence for the emergence of multiple intelligences in assistance dog puppies.

Cognitive test batteries suggest that adult dogs have different types of cognitive abilities that vary independently. In the current study, we tested puppies repeatedly over a crucial period of development to explore the timing and rate at which these different cognitive skills develop. Service dog puppies (n = 113), raised using two different socialization strategies, were either tested longitudinally (n =91) or at a single time point (n = 22).

Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in senior and geriatric dogs.

Advancements in veterinary medicine have resulted in increased life spans for dogs, necessitating a better understanding of quality of life for older dogs. This study aimed to evaluate quality of life (QoL) progression and its potential association with mortality in senior and geriatric dogs. The Canine Owner-Reported Quality of Life Questionnaire (CORQ), consisting of 17 questions across four domains (vitality, companionship, pain, and mobility) was employed.

Voxelwise analysis of the central hearing pathway in senior dogs reveals changes associated with fractional lifespan.

Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, affects both elderly humans and dogs, significantly impairing their social interactions and cognition. In humans, presbycusis involves changes in peripheral and central auditory systems, with central changes potentially occurring independently. While peripheral presbycusis in dogs is well-documented, research on central changes remains limited.

A randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates improved owner-assessed cognitive function in senior dogs receiving a senolytic and NAD+ precursor combination.

Age-related decline in mobility and cognition are associated with cellular senescence and NAD + depletion in dogs and people. A combination of a novel NAD + precursor and senolytic, LY-D6/2, was examined in this randomized controlled trial. Seventy dogs with mild to moderate cognitive impairment were enrolled and allocated into placebo, low or full dose groups.

2024 ISFM and AAFP consensus guidelines on the long-term use of NSAIDs in cats.

Practical Relevance: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used and are effective for the management of pain in cats. These Guidelines will support veterinarians in decision-making around prescribing NSAIDs in situations of chronic pain, to minimise adverse effects and optimise pain management. Information is provided on mechanism of action, indications for use, screening prior to prescription, use in the presence of comorbidities, monitoring of efficacy, and avoidance and management of adverse effects.

Pilot Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Long-Term Oral Imepitoin Treatment for Control of (Thunder)Storm-Associated Noise Phobia/Noise Aversion in Dogs Using an Individualized-Dose Titration Approach.

Imepitoin is a low-affinity partial agonist for benzodiazepine binding sites of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors with anxiolytic effects. It has been shown to reduce anxiety during noise-related events in dogs when given at 30 mg/kg PO BID, although this dose was associated with ataxia and increased appetite in some cases. The objective of this study was to assess its safety and efficacy for storm anxiety when started at 10 mg/kg PO BID and titrated to effect up to 30 mg/kg PO BID during storm season.

Longitudinal Analysis of Canine Oral Microbiome Using Whole Genome Sequencing in Aging Companion Dogs.

Aged companion dogs have a high prevalence of periodontal disease and canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS) and the two disorders are correlated. Similarly, periodontal disease and Alzheimer's Disease are correlated in people. However, little is known about the oral microbiota of aging dogs.

Veterinary education and experience shape beliefs about dog breeds. Part 2: Trust.

Dog breed stereotypes are frequently used to inform people's expectations about canine behavior, despite evidence that breed is largely uninformative in predicting individual dog behavior. Further, these beliefs differ among populations. However, it remains unknown how ratings of warmth toward a breed are associated with ratings of other social behavioral domains, and whether differences exist between populations with varying experience with dogs.

Veterinary education and experience shape beliefs about dog breeds Part 1: Pain sensitivity.

Over 95% of veterinarians report believing that dog breeds differ in pain sensitivity. Ratings made by veterinarians differ from those of the general public, suggesting these beliefs may be learned during veterinary training or clinical experiences. Therefore, the current study's primary objective was to evaluate dog breed pain sensitivity ratings during veterinary training and compare these ratings to those of the general public and undergraduates in animal-health related fields.

Pain sensitivity differs between dog breeds but not in the way veterinarians believe.

Background: Veterinarians hold distinct breed-specific pain sensitivity beliefs that differ from the general public but are highly consistent with one another. This is remarkable as there is no current scientific evidence for biological differences in pain sensitivity across dog breeds. Therefore, the present study evaluated whether pain sensitivity thresholds differ across a set of dog breeds and, if so, whether veterinarians' pain sensitivity ratings explain these differences or whether these ratings are attributed to behavioral characteristics.

Winning the race with aging: age-related changes in gait speed and its association with cognitive performance in dogs.

Introduction: In humans, gait speed is a crucial component in geriatric evaluation since decreasing speed can be a harbinger of cognitive decline and dementia. Aging companion dogs can suffer from age-related mobility impairment, cognitive decline and dementia known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. We hypothesized that there would be an association between gait speed and cognition in aging dogs.

Age-associated changes in electroretinography measures in companion dogs.

Purpose: To determine the association between age and retinal full-field electroretinographic (ERG) measures in companion (pet) dogs, an important translational model species for human neurologic aging.

Methods: Healthy adult dogs with no significant ophthalmic abnormalities were included. Unilateral full-field light- and dark-adapted electroretinography was performed using a handheld device, with mydriasis and topical anaesthesia.

Sleep and cognition in aging dogs. A polysomnographic study.

Introduction: Sleep is fundamental for cognitive homeostasis, especially in senior populations since clearance of amyloid beta (key in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease) occurs during sleep. Some electroencephalographic characteristics of sleep and wakefulness have been considered a hallmark of dementia. Owners of dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (a canine analog to Alzheimer's disease) report that their dogs suffer from difficulty sleeping.

Response to Hansen Wheat et al.: Additional analysis further supports the early emergence of cooperative communication in dogs compared to wolves raised with more human exposure.

Here, we address Hansen Wheat et al.'s commentary in this journal in response to Salomons et al. Current Biology, 31(14), 3137-3144.

Activity patterns are associated with fractional lifespan, memory, and gait speed in aged dogs.

Maintaining an active lifestyle is considered a hallmark of successful aging. Physical activity significantly reduces the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease in humans. However, pain and lack of motivation are important barriers to exercise.

A novel task of canine olfaction for use in adult and senior pet dogs.

While much work has been done in the field of canine olfaction, there has been little exploration of hyposmia or anosmia. This is partly due to difficulties in reducing confounds like training history and environmental distraction. The current study describes a novel olfaction test using spontaneous search behavior in dogs to find a hidden food treat in a three-choice task with both light-phase and dark-phase conditions.

Relationship between engagement with the impossible task, cognitive testing, and cognitive questionnaires in a population of aging dogs.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the engagement of aging dogs with a cognitively challenging and potentially frustrating task (the impossible task). Based on previous observations, we predicted that dogs showing signs of cognitive impairment in other cognitive tests and owner-completed questionnaires would show reduced engagement with the task.

Methods: In this task, dogs were shown a piece of food in a clear container that they could not open; time spent interacting with the container and the experimenter was measured.

Relationship between hearing, cognitive function, and quality of life in aging companion dogs.

Background: Elderly people with presbycusis are at higher risk for dementia and depression than the general population. There is no information regarding consequences of presbycusis in dogs.

Objective: Evaluate the relationship between cognitive function, quality of life, and hearing loss in aging companion dogs.

Static posturography as a novel measure of the effects of aging on postural control in dogs.

Aging is associated with impairment in postural control in humans. While dogs are a powerful model for the study of aging, the associations between age and postural control in this species have not yet been elucidated. The aims of this work were to establish a reliable protocol to measure center of pressure excursions in standing dogs and to determine age-related changes in postural sway.

Canine Geriatric Syndrome: A Framework for Advancing Research in Veterinary Geroscience.

Biological aging is the single most important risk factor for disease, disability, and ultimately death in geriatric dogs. The effects of aging in companion dogs also impose significant financial and psychological burdens on their human caregivers. The underlying physiologic processes of canine aging may be occult, or early signs of aging may be ignored because of the misconception that biological aging is natural and therefore inevitable.

Use of Cognitive Testing, Questionnaires, and Plasma Biomarkers to Quantify Cognitive Impairment in an Aging Pet Dog Population.

Background: Aging dogs may suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), a condition in which cognitive decline is associated with amyloid pathology and cortical atrophy. Presumptive diagnosis is made through physical examination, exclusion of systemic/metabolic conditions, and completion of screening questionnaires by owners.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether cognitive function could be quantified in aging pet dogs, and to correlate cognitive testing with validated questionnaires and plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) concentration.

2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.

These updated guidelines present a practical and logical approach to the assessment and management of acute and chronic pain in canine and feline patients. Recognizing pain is fundamental to successful treatment, and diagnostic guides and algorithms are included for assessment of both acute and chronic pain. Particularly for chronic pain, capturing owner evaluation is important, and pain-assessment instruments for pet owners are described.