NoBella Acres

04/14/2022

Understanding Perceptions About Dog Breeds’ Sensitivity To Pain

Theoretically, all dogs should have similar pain thresholds, but according to over 90 percent of respondents, half of which were veterinarians, of an online survey, there are differences among dog breeds. Small-breed dogs, such as Chihuahua and Maltese, were rated as being less tolerant of pain than some of their larger cohorts, such as Doberman Pinscher and Rottweiler.

The survey findings, published March 17, 2020, in PLOS One, piqued interest by the investigators to continue studying beliefs about how dog breeds differ in their sensitivity to pain. The AKC Canine Health Foundation is funding the follow-up research underway at North Carolina State University.

Lead investigators Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, assistant professor of behavioral medicine, and Duncan Lascelles, BVSc, PhD, DECVS, DACVS, professor of translational pain research and management, are working to learn if perceptions about dog breeds’ varied pain thresholds are scientifically grounded. Rachel Cunningham, DVM, a postdoctoral research associate who is now a surgical intern at Michigan State University, and Rachel Park, a graduate student in the Comparative Biomedical Sciences program, conducted the study.

“Our null hypothesis is that dogs regardless of their breed have similar pain thresholds,” Dr. Gruen says. “The risk of ungrounded, preconceived beliefs about dog breeds’ pain tolerance is that it could negatively impact clinical treatments and result in unnecessary pain for dogs believed to have low pain sensitivity.”

The current study comprises 147 dogs representing 10 breeds. Included are Chihuahua, Maltese, Jack Russell Terrier, Boston Terrier, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Border Collie, Siberian Husky, American Staffordshire Terrier, and German Shepherd Dog.

“We screened dogs by performing physical and orthopedic examinations to ensure they are free of conditions causing chronic pain, as this can change their neurobiology and lower their pain thresholds,” Dr. Gruen says. “Owners completed the Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), which gathers information about their dogs’ personalities, breeding, overall health, and behavior.”

Quantitative sensory testing in which the investigators examined the threshold at which dogs would withdraw their paws from pressure or heat provided scientific insights. “Imagine that I slowly push my finger into you until you say, ‘Hey, stop doing that,’” explains Dr. Gruen. “That’s basically what we did but in a more sophisticated way.”

Bonnie Giles of Chesterfield, South Carolina, enrolled her two Golden Retrievers, “Willow,” 11 years old, and “Eve,” 8 years old, in the study. “It is interesting that there may be different pain tolerances among dog breeds,” Giles says. “Both my dogs are really calm, as they are retired breeding moms for service dogs. Willow was a certified therapy dog. I’ve been through C-sections (cesarean sections) and minor veterinary procedures with them. In my opinion, they always seem unfazed by pain.”

The results of the study are expected to be published in 2022. Not revealing their discoveries, Dr. Gruen says, “If there are breed differences in pain sensitivity, future work will look at understanding genetic associations and how to advance understanding of effectively treating pain in a breed-specific manner.

“If there are no differences among breeds related to pain sensitivity, then it is important to understand our perceptions of breed differences to ensure dogs of every breed receive appropriate pain management and to understand where these beliefs came from.”

The notion that human perceptions influence how dog breeds’ pain sensitivity is interpreted aligns with the generalized group characterization hypothesis summarized in the PLOS One article on the survey results. “This hypothesis predicts that people will rate dogs of different breeds as having different pain sensitivity based on group traits like physical appearance and social behavior stereotypes,” says Dr. Gruen.

The online survey included 2,131 responses, of which 1,078 came from veterinarians. Pictures of 28 dog breeds representing a wide range of sizes, body and head shapes, and coat types/lengths were shown though breed names were not identified. Respondents rated their beliefs about the pictured breeds’ pain sensitivity on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 being not sensitive at all and 100 being the most sensitive imaginable.

“Ratings by the general public were driven mostly by size, with smaller dogs rated as more sensitive to pain and larger, heavier dogs rated as less sensitive,” Dr. Gruen says. “Dogs on breed-specific legislation lists that are considered dangerous were generally rated as less sensitive to pain. These findings support the prediction that people rate pain sensitivity in dogs differently for different breeds based on their appearance and common group stereotypes.”

While dog size appeared to influence veterinarians’ ratings, it was not as strong a relationship as seen with ratings by the general public. “Veterinarians tended to rate the dogs based on commonly held beliefs about different dog breeds,” she says. “For example, two large breeds, German Shepherd Dog and Siberian Husky, were rated among the most sensitive to pain by veterinarians.”

When deciding on individual factors believed to influence pain sensitivity and response to pain in dogs, the general public was somewhat evenly distributed among: a breed’s skin thickness, 41 percent; environment raised, 40.1 percent; genetics, 39 percent; and temperament, 35.6 percent. Most veterinarians attributed pain sensitivity to temperament, 80.9 percent; followed by genetics, 33.3 percent; environment, 29.5 percent; and skin thickness, 9.3 percent.

As to Giles’ belief that her Golden Retrievers are largely unfazed by pain, the online survey reinforced her interpretation. The general public rated Golden Retrievers around 51 percent on the 1 to 100 scale, indicating the breed has an average threshold for pain. Veterinarians rated Goldens around 32 percent, giving the breed a rating that reflects low sensitivity to pain.

“Ultimately, we think there is strong evidence that people rate pain sensitivity based on breed-specific stereotypes or phenotypic traits and dog breed archetypes,” reflects Dr. Gruen. “Further investigation is needed to more fully comprehend the impact.”

04/13/2022

Finding Your Pet Via GPS

GPS location should be used in conjunction with microchips in a pet, not as a substitute. Most vets charge less than $50 to put the rice-sized permanent chip inside a pet. Ninety-nine percent of shelters and vet clinics have scanners. It's about as foolproof a way of being reunited with a lost pet as exists.

If you're in an area with coverage, A GPS tracker sends your pet's whereabouts to its companion app. It's not always instantaneous—there can be a few minutes delay while the device realizes your pet is out of the safe zone. That's enough time for a fast pet to make a getaway, but better than not knowing at all that Fido jumped the fence.

Note that there are typically monthly or annual fees associated with GPS tracking.

07/09/2021

You really want a pet bird—so much in fact that you've already picked out a name, chosen a location for its cage, and thoroughly researched your favorite species. While you might think you are prepared to dive into the world of bird ownership, there are many aspects of keeping a bird that some people don't learn until after they've brought their bird home. And they often find bird ownership was more of a lifestyle adjustment than they expected. Here are 10 tips regarding what it really takes to care for a bird on a daily basis.

Get Rid of Unsafe Cookware
Teflon or nonstick cookware can be fatal to pet birds. The coating gives off a toxic, odorless fume when heated that can kill a bird within minutes. This especially can occur when the cookware is heated to a high temperature, but it's not worth the risk to your bird's safety for any level of cooking. So if you're looking to bring a bird into your home, plan to get rid of any unsafe cookware and invest in pots and pans made of stainless steel or another bird-safe material.

Say Goodbye to Candles and Air Fresheners
As with the cookware fumes, scented candles, oils, air fresheners, cleaning supplies, and other chemical products can all pose a health hazard to your pet. Birds have extremely sensitive respiratory systems, which are easily irritated by chemicals and fumes. This can result in sudden death, depending on the quantity and substance the bird has inhaled. Or it can cause ongoing health issues. Discuss safe cleaning supplies with your veterinarian, and freshen your home with clean outdoor air if possible.

Never Smoke in the House
It should come as no surprise that cigarette smoke is just as bad—if not worse—for your bird as it is for you. If you choose to use to***co products, use them outside and a safe distance away from any open windows. Don't forget to wash your hands before handling your bird if you've recently smoked. And remember the lingering scent on your clothing and any items within your home can have a negative impact on your bird's health, as well.

Plan on Waking Up Early
If you don't cover their cage with a light-blocking cloth, birds will wake up with the sun. And even if you do cover them, they'll usually wake up once they start hearing noises, especially outdoor birds. They are ready to start their days bright and early and will expect you to do the same. So be prepared to adjust your sleep schedule to accommodate your feathered friend. Your bird will need fresh food and water soon after waking, along with some play and socialization.

Invest in a Good Vacuum
Birds can be quite messy. Large species tend to make the most mess just because of their size, but even small birds can scatter food and feathers far and wide. In many cases, you will need to sweep or vacuum daily to keep up with the constant flow of debris that will accumulate around your pet's cage. A good vacuum that can suck up the little bits of food and feathers will make your life a lot easier. In addition, make sure you have the time and ability to keep up with this chore.

Remove Toxic Houseplants
Many common houseplants are toxic to birds, with outcomes ranging from mild illness to sudden death. Some of these plants include amaryllis flowers, lilies, philodendrons, and shamrocks. Don’t trust that your bird won’t investigate plants just because it doesn’t seem curious about them at the moment. Find new homes for these plants in spaces where your bird will never be. And in the future, choose bird-safe plant options, such as the spider plant or African violet.

Watch What You Wear
Birds are naturally attracted to shiny objects, even when they're part of your apparel. It's best to take off jewelry and any clothing with sequins or other shiny features before handling your bird to protect yourself, your pet, and your apparel. Also, especially with birds that like to chew, watch out for your buttons. Remove the temptation for your bird to chew something they're not supposed to because some of these items can be health hazards.

Plan to Commit Lots of Time and Effort
If you bring home a bird that's already tame, you can be sure a lot of time and effort went into shaping its personality. To maintain the fruits of that labor, or to tame an unsocialized bird, you must handle and interact with your bird daily. Some birds actually need several hours of daily socialization with their humans to maintain their mental and physical health. Aside from that, cage cleaning and feeding a healthy diet with fresh foods also take time and effort every day.

Expect Noise
Some birds can talk. But all of them can chirp, cackle, screech, and coo, among other noises. Birds make a variety of sounds throughout their waking hours, and there's usually no way to get them to be quiet if they don't want to be. Large birds tend to be able to produce the loudest vocalizations, but even small birds can emit constant chatter. So if you want a bird, you'll have to accept the noise in your space.

10 Things to Know Before Adopting a Pet Bird
Don't Assume Your Bird Will Be a Social Butterfly
Birds are generally flock animals, but that doesn't mean they love everyone. While certain species are prone to becoming "one-person birds," it can happen to any bird, particularly if only one person cares for it. If you want a bird for your family, it's imperative that everyone participates in the bird's care and socialization. Otherwise, your pet might play favorites and even become territorial over one person.

06/17/2021

05/15/2021

Are there animals in heaven?
Written By: Bill Tinsley

My aunt once asked me if there will be animals in Heaven. Perhaps it is a good question to ask during this season when pets have played such an important role in helping us survive COVID-19. When many of us have had to distance from family, friends, co-workers, and classmates our pets have stepped up.

The CDC says that pets, especially dogs, help our social, emotional, and mental development. Of course, most of us don’t need the CDC to tell us this. Our pets become part of the family. If they are that important on earth, will there be animals in heaven?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the twentieth-century theologian and martyr, once counseled a 10-year-old boy whose German Shepherd died. The boy was distraught. He asked Bonhoeffer if his dog would be in Heaven. Bonhoeffer said, “I quickly made up my mind and said to him: ‘Look, God created human beings and also animals, and I’m sure he also loves animals. And I believe that with God it is such that all who loved each other on earth – genuinely loved each other – will remain together with God …”

Man, of course, was made in God’s image. God breathed into us the breath of life and we became a living soul. But God’s love for all creatures in his creation is abundantly clear. After He had divided the light from darkness, He filled the earth with living things: fish, birds, and beasts (in that order). “God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:24-25) before man ever walked the earth.

After sin entered the world, mankind sank deeper into selfishness, deceit, violence, murder, and rebellion. When God’s judgment could be postponed no longer, He sent a catastrophic flood. But God showed his love for man and beast by providing a means of escape through Noah’s ark. God instructed Noah, “You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” (Genesis 6:19-21).

Looking forward to the day when the Messiah’s Kingdom would replace our world, Isaiah wrote: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. … They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6-9).

If God so loved us that he blessed us with the companionship and service of animals on earth and chose them to surround the birth of His Son, would He withhold His love from us in heaven by depriving us of these creatures who shared our mortal joys and sorrows? Is it possible that having demonstrated his glory in the beauty and balance of nature in this world that the new heaven and the new earth would be limited to men and angels?

Bill Tinsley reflects on current events and life experience from a faith perspective. His books are available at www.tinsleycenter.com.