Cortisol and Secretory Immunoglobulin A Response to Stress in German Shepherd Dogs

Svobodová, Ivona; Chaloupková, Helena; Končel, Roman; Bartoš, Luděk; Hradecká, Lenka; Jebavý, L

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0090820

Cited by 40 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 46 publications

(60 reference statements)

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“…If combined with behavioral and other physiological measurements, the study of salivary cortisol responses is likely to yield more reliable results in reflecting animal welfare. For example, in dogs, decreases in secretary immunoglobulin A (IgA) have been linked to stressful experiences and negative correlations with cortisol were reported [ 74 , 75 , 76 ]. A stress-induced discharge of the sympathetic nervous system stimulates secretion of noradrenaline and adrenaline, accelerating heart rate [ 77 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Perspectives on Therapy Dog Welfare in Animal-Assisted Interventions

Glenk

2017

Animals

154

123

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Simple SummaryIn animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) animals are used as adjuncts to therapy to positively affect human health. The practice of implementing dogs into therapeutic environments is emerging and as a result, there has been a growing scientific interest on human health outcomes over the past decades. Research efforts into the canine perspective of AAIs have been scarce. Accordingly, there is little consensus on the impact of such interventions on the animals involved. This paper aimed to contribute to the limited body of knowledge by reviewing available studies on therapy dogs’ welfare during AAIs. Moreover, discussion of theoretical and methodological issues, implications for practice and suggestions for future research are provided.AbstractResearch into the effects of animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) has primarily addressed human health outcomes. In contrast, only few publications deal with the therapy dog experience of AAIs. This paper provides an overview on potential welfare threats that therapy dogs may encounter and presents the results of a review of available studies on welfare indicators for therapy dogs during AAIs. Previous investigations used physiological and behavioral welfare indicators and dog handler surveys to identify work-related stress. Research outcomes are discussed in the light of strengths and weaknesses of the methods used. Study results suggest that frequency and duration of AAI sessions, novelty of the environment, controllability, age and familiarity of recipients modulate animal welfare indicators. However, this review reveals that currently, clear conclusions on how the well-being of dogs is influenced by the performance in AAIs are lacking due to the heterogeneity of programs, recipient and session characteristics, small dog sample sizes and methodological limitations. This paper further aimed to identify unresolved difficulties in previous research to pave the way for future investigations supporting the applicability of scientific findings in practice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Perspectives on Therapy Dog Welfare in Animal-Assisted Interventions

Glenk

2017

Animals

154

123

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“…Salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is a proven stress biomarker in human medicine [40]. It is known to be negatively correlated with cortisol concentration after acute stress in adult dogs but not in puppies [41]. In addition, sIgA has significant diurnal variation, which renders it less useful as a biomarker.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of salivary vasopressin as an acute stress biomarker in healthy dogs with stress due to noise and environmental challenges

Jeong

Song

et al. 2020

BMC Vet Res

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Background Stress is associated with various detrimental changes in physiological health that affect an animal’s quality of life. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic-adreno-medullar (SAM) axis are two main physiological pathways that constitute the stress response of an organism. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a mediator of the HPA axis and is known to be related to social behaviours and stress. The serum concentration of AVP is higher in more aggressive dogs and humans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Salivary biomarker analysis is a non-invasive method to assess stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using salivary AVP as an acute stress biomarker in dogs. Salivary AVP concentration was measured before and after exposure to all relevant environmental stimuli (i.e. car trip to the lab, physical examination by the veterinarian, and sampling procedure,) and then after 30 min of vacuum noise exposure. Behavioural assessments, physiologic parameter assessments, and serum cortisol analysis were conducted in combination. Statistical analysis was conducted separately in the total study population, the less stressed group, and the more stressed group, respectively. Results Based on stress behaviour analysis scores, 28 dogs were classified into less or more stressed groups. All four physiologic parameters (blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate) were significantly increased after noise and environmental challenges, in the more stressed group. Serum cortisol did not show any significant change. Salivary AVP significantly decreased after noise and environmental stimulation in the more stressed group but not in the less stressed group. Salivary AVP and blood pressure changes were negatively correlated in the more stressed group. Conclusion Salivary AVP may be a potential acute stress biomarker in dogs.

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“…Plasma and salivary cortisol concentrations are usually elevated 15–30 minutes after a stressor, whereas urine cortisol is more often used to provide the cumulative HPA axis activity over several hours. Salivary cortisol levels have been used as a noninvasive and easily obtained surrogate for plasma and urinary cortisol in dogs and have been measured in various environments . Salivary cortisol concentrations were found to be higher in dogs hospitalized for elective procedures versus dogs under basal conditions and were correlated with stress‐related behaviors .…”

Section: Identifying the Stressed Patientmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Salivary cortisol concentrations were found to be higher in dogs hospitalized for elective procedures versus dogs under basal conditions and were correlated with stress‐related behaviors . Salivary cortisol concentrations were also increased in puppies and adult female dogs undergoing defense training, and in shelter dogs performing rigorous exercise, possibly indicative of stress or arousal in these animals . One study found that in dogs with separation anxiety, salivary cortisol concentrations were lower after interacting with their owners …”

Section: Identifying the Stressed Patientmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychogenic stress in hospitalized veterinary patients: Causation, implications, and therapies

Lefman

Prittie

2019

J Vet Emergen Crit Care

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Objective: To review the sources, adverse effects, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of psychogenic stress in hospitalized human and veterinary patients. Data Sources: Data were collected by searching PubMed for veterinary and human literature from the past 10 years. Human Data Synthesis: Psychogenic stress has been linked to immune suppression; gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and cutaneous diseases; delayed wound healing; alterations in pain perception; and neurologic impairment. Sources of psychogenic stress include environmental alterations such as excessive noise and light, social and physical factors, sleep disruption, drugs, and underlying disease. Nonpharmacologic options for stress reduction include environmental and treatment modifications, music therapy, and early mobilization. Pharmacologic options include sedation with benzodiazepines and dexmedetomidine. Trazodone and melatonin have been examined for use in sleep promotion but are not currently recommended as standard treatments in ICU. Veterinary Data Synthesis: Activation of the stress response in veterinary patients is largely the same as in people, as are the affected body systems. Possible sources of stress can include social, physical, and environmental factors. No gold standard currently exists for the identification and quantification of stress. A combination of physical examination findings and the results of serum biochemistry, CBC, and biomarker testing can be used to support the diagnosis. Stress scales can be implemented to identify stressed patients and assess severity. Nonpharmacologic treatment options include low-stress handling, pheromones, environmental modifications, and sleep promotion. Pharmacologic options include trazodone, benzodiazepines, dexmedetomidine, and melatonin. Conclusion:The prevalence and clinical significance of psychogenic stress in hospitalized veterinary patients is unknown. Future studies are needed to specifically examine the causative factors of psychogenic stress and the effects of various therapies on stress reduction. The recognition and reduction of psychogenic stress in veterinary patients can lead to improvements in patient care and welfare.

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Cortisol and Secretory Immunoglobulin A Response to Stress in German Shepherd Dogs

Cited by 40 publications

References 46 publications

Current Perspectives on Therapy Dog Welfare in Animal-Assisted Interventions

Current Perspectives on Therapy Dog Welfare in Animal-Assisted Interventions

Evaluation of salivary vasopressin as an acute stress biomarker in healthy dogs with stress due to noise and environmental challenges

Psychogenic stress in hospitalized veterinary patients: Causation, implications, and therapies

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