Cage size affects comfort, safety and the experienced security of working dogs in cars

Skånberg, Lena; Gauffin, Oskar; Norling, Yezica; Lindsjö, Johan; Keeling, Linda J.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2018.05.028

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…In comparison to production farm animals and horses, only limited information is available on the stress response of dogs to road transport. Road transport of dogs in previous experiments was associated with similar increases in heart rate and the N/L ratio [ 23 , 24 ] but, to the best of our knowledge, there is no previous information on the stress response of transport-naïve dogs, nor their response to repeated road transport.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…When dogs had become used to travelling by car as puppies, the likelihood of transport-related problems at adult age was reduced, suggesting a certain degree of habituation [ 22 ]. In two experimental studies, road transport of dogs was associated with increases in heart rate, behavioral changes and an increase in the neutrophil to leukocyte ratio [ 23 , 24 ]. Changes in heart rate and behavior were less pronounced during slow cruising than normal driving [ 24 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In two experimental studies, road transport of dogs was associated with increases in heart rate, behavioral changes and an increase in the neutrophil to leukocyte ratio [ 23 , 24 ]. Changes in heart rate and behavior were less pronounced during slow cruising than normal driving [ 24 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stress Response of Beagle Dogs to Repeated Short-Distance Road Transport

Herbel

Aurich

Gautier

et al. 2020

Animals

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This study aimed to characterize the response of transport-naïve dogs to one and two-hour road transports based on cortisol in saliva and blood plasma, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio and behavior. Two persons familiar to the dogs were present during transports and control experiments. We hypothesized that transport elicits a stress response, which decreases with repeated transports. Beagle dogs were allocated to three groups (n = 6 each). Group 1 served as control in the stable in week 1 and was transported for one hour in weeks 2, 3 and 4. Groups 2 and 3 served as controls in a non-moving vehicle and in the stable, respectively, in week 2. All three groups were transported for two hours in week 6. Cortisol concentration increased during transports (p < 0.001), and this increase remained constant with repeated transports. Cortisol release during two-hour transports was not affected by transport experience. Cortisol concentration increased twofold in plasma and eightfold in saliva, indicating an increase in free cortisol. The N/L ratio increased during transport (p < 0.05). Heart rate increased at the beginning of transport while HRV decreased (p < 0.001). Heart rate and HRV neither differed among weeks nor between animals with different transport experience. During transports, but also in the stationary vehicle, dogs were mostly sitting, and time spent standing decreased during experiments (p < 0.001). Licking the mouth was the most frequent behavior during transports but not in the stationary vehicle (p < 0.01). In conclusion, a transport-induced stress response was evident in dogs. There was no habituation with repeated transports, and transported dogs may suffer from motion sickness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stress Response of Beagle Dogs to Repeated Short-Distance Road Transport

Herbel

Aurich

Gautier

et al. 2020

Animals

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“…Pig-hunting dogs are often left in these cages whilst owners conduct their business, with most cages an open wire mesh design providing minimal shade [25]. Multiple dogs are transported simultaneously in these cages, with no mandated minimum space requirements for transporting dogs in Australia, although research has shown that dogs experience greater comfort during car travel when afforded more space [95]. The biggest welfare risks associated with this form of travel are heat exhaustion and dehydration due to a lack of shade and the hot conductive surfaces of metal ute trays [96].…”

Section: Hunting Related Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Welfare of Pig-Hunting Dogs in Australia

Orr

Malík

Norris

et al. 2019

Animals

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Simple SummaryThe hunting of feral pigs utilising dogs is a common recreational activity in Australia. These dogs assist hunters to find, pursue, and restrain feral pigs. It is a legal activity in some states and territories of Australia while it is banned in others and is considered a controversial method of pest control. Scant information is available in the peer-reviewed literature regarding the welfare of dogs used in pig hunting. We conducted a review of the limited scientific literature on working dogs in order to determine the health and welfare risks that pig-hunting dogs might face. Possible risks identified include breeding surplus to requirements, the early retirement of dogs due to behavioural incompatibilities, use of punishment-based training techniques including electric shock collars, keeping dogs isolated in kennels or on tethers, exposure to numerous infectious diseases, high rates of traumatic injuries, poor transportation methods, high mortality during hunts, and suboptimal quality of life after retiring from hunting. There are also concerns about the welfare of the wild pigs being hunted by the dogs. We conclude that more research is required into the health and welfare of pig-hunting dogs. The humaneness of this method of pest control urgently requires further assessment. AbstractHunting feral pigs using dogs is a popular recreational activity in Australia. Dogs are used to flush, chase, bail, and hold feral pigs, and their use for these activities is legal in some states and territories and illegal in others. However, there is little knowledge about the health and welfare of dogs owned specifically for the purpose of pig hunting. We conducted a review of the literature on working dogs in Australia and overseas to determine the likely welfare impacts confronting pig-hunting dogs. We identified numerous challenges facing pig-hunting dogs throughout their lives. Risks to welfare include overbreeding, wastage due to behavioural incompatibilities, the use of aversive training techniques including electronic shock collars, solitary kenneling and tethering, high exposure to infectious diseases including zoonotic diseases, inadequate vaccination and anthelmintic prophlyaxis, high incidence of traumatic and other injuries during hunts, climatic exposure during transportation, mortality during hunts, and a suboptimal quality of life after retirement. There are also significant welfare concerns for the wild pigs hunted in this manner. We conclude that research needs to be conducted in order to determine the current health and welfare of pig-hunting dogs, specifically in Australia. The humaneness of this method of pest control urgently requires further assessment.

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“…In a survey of over 28,000 dog owners, 21% reported having left their dog unattended in a car for over 20 minutes ( AA, 2015 ). The interior temperature of a vehicle can change rapidly with an average increase of 1.8°C per 5-minute interval ( McLaren, 2005 ), and is, therefore, a threat to both the welfare of the animals and stability of any medication contained within the vehicle ( Valenzuela et al , 1989 ; Gammon et al , 2008 ; Skånberg et al , 2018 ). While studies have investigated livestock transport and the potential impact of thermal stress, there is a lack of comparable research on thermal transportation conditions for pet dogs ( Mitchell and Kettlewell, 2008 ; Mitchell et al , 2010 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drugs, dogs, and driving: the potential for year-round thermal stress in UK vehicles

Carter¹,

Hall²,

Connolly³

et al. 2020

Open Vet J.

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Background: Dogs are regularly transported or housed in vehicles, with guidelines for housing dogs suggesting that the ambient temperature should be maintained between 15°C and 24°C. Veterinary drugs are routinely stored and carried in vehicles providing ambulatory veterinary care. Non-refrigerated medications typically require storage between 8°C and 25°C.Aim: This study aims to investigate the potential for thermal stress associated with vehicular storage and transportation of drugs and dogs in a temperate climate, such as the United Kingdom.Methods: The study used data loggers to continuously record internal temperatures of four vehicles at 15-minute intervals over a two-year period, to investigate the effect of seasonality and time of day on the internal car temperature.Results: The internal car temperature ranged from −7.4°C to 54.5°C during the study period. Temperatures fell below 8°C every month, except June and July. The internal car temperature exceeded typical drug storage recommendations (>25°C) during every month, and exceeded the canine thermoneutral zone (>35°C) from April to September. Peak temperatures occurred between 14:00 and 17:00 hours.Conclusion: The results demonstrate the year-round potential for thermal stress of both dogs and drugs left in cars. Public awareness campaigns highlighting the risks of leaving dogs in hot cars are typically launched in late spring, but should consider launching earlier in light of these findings. Veterinary surgeons transporting drugs should take measures to ensure that drugs are stored within the manufacturer’s temperature range year-round. This will limit the potential for drug degradation and decreased efficacy. Keywords: Car temperature, Drug storage, Dog transport, Thermal stress.

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Cage size affects comfort, safety and the experienced security of working dogs in cars

Cited by 7 publications

References 31 publications

Stress Response of Beagle Dogs to Repeated Short-Distance Road Transport

Stress Response of Beagle Dogs to Repeated Short-Distance Road Transport

The Welfare of Pig-Hunting Dogs in Australia

Drugs, dogs, and driving: the potential for year-round thermal stress in UK vehicles

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