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Simple Summary: Therapy dogs have been increasingly incorporated into a variety of medical treatment programs, but research about the stress level of therapy dogs is limited. In this study, 14 therapy dog–handler pairs were embedded in an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program to provide animal-assisted treatment (AAT). Salivary endocrine, cardiac parameters, ear temperature, and behavioral observations were used to assess therapy dogs' stress level during the AAT. The results suggested that incorporating AAT into an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program did not induce stress in the therapy dogs, and that the therapy dogs may have been more relaxed after the session. Therapy dogs have been increasingly incorporated into a variety of medical treatment programs to improve patients' treatment outcomes and wellbeing. However, research investigating the stress level of therapy dogs in this setting is limited. This is the first randomized–controlled and prospective study that investigated the wellbeing of therapy dogs in an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program. In this study, 14 therapy dog–handler pairs were embedded in an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program to provide animal-assisted treatment (AAT). These therapy dog–handler pairs actively participated in stroke rehabilitation by walking with the patient, playing fetch with the patient, and being petted/brushed by the patient, amongst various other AAT activities. To measure canine stress responses during the rehabilitation sessions, salivary cortisol and oxytocin concentrations, heart rate and heart rate variability, tympanic membrane temperature, and a behavioral evaluation were recorded before and after interactions with the patient. The results demonstrated that therapy dogs had significantly decreased heart rate and increased heart rate variability after the AAT session. Right tympanic temperature significantly increased after the session, but there was no significant difference in terms of salivary cortisol or oxytocin levels, nor in stress-related behavioral evaluations after the AAT session. Taken together, the results suggest that incorporating AAT into an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program did not induce stress in the therapy dogs, and that the therapy dogs may have been more relaxed after the session. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explored how well French Bulldogs understand nonverbal communication, specifically whether having a close bond with their owner helps them interpret pointing gestures. Researchers worked with 26 French Bulldogs and their owners, testing whether the dogs could follow their owner's pointing to find a treat hidden in a bowl. To measure the bond between each dog and their owner, they used a questionnaire and checked the dogs' salivary oxytocin levels, a hormone linked to positive emotions. The results showed that factors like the dog's age, gender, neuter status, and training experience affected how well they performed. Dogs with stronger bonds with their owners were generally better at understanding the pointing gestures, although oxytocin levels didn't directly influence their choices. The authors suggest that future research should include more dog breeds to better understand how the owner–dog relationship influences social skills over time. Our understanding of social cognition in brachycephalic dog breeds is limited. This study focused specifically on French Bulldogs and hypothesized that a closer relationship between dog and owner would improve the dogs' understanding of nonverbal cues, particularly pointing gestures. To investigate this, we tested twenty-six dogs and their owners in a two-way object choice test in which the familiar person pointed to the bowl. As understanding of pointing gestures is influenced by human–animal interaction, we used the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) to assess various aspects of the dog–owner relationship, including dog–owner interaction, emotional closeness, and negative aspects of dog ownership and measured salivary oxytocin levels. This study examined the dogs' correct choices and their straight approach patterns to a reward bowl. Several factors influenced the two measures of social cognition, such as the age and sex of the dog, dog–owner interaction, emotional closeness, and the choice time (time it took the dog to reach the reward bowl), but also that neutered dogs and those with no training history showed better cognitive performance. We found a very high number of correct choices, which could be attributed to the owners' high scores on the dog–owner interaction scale. Oxytocin showed no direct effect on these measures. To increase the generalizability of the results, we suggest future studies focus on more than one breed to capture the temporal development of the owner–dog relationship and social cognitive abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Youth mental health services with therapy animals are growing, but more research is needed to understand how participants interact with therapy dogs. This study aimed to develop ethograms to assess youth and dog behaviors during a social stress task, examining how these behaviors change with different levels of physical contact. Results indicated that human and dog behaviors differed based on whether participants interacted with a live or stuffed dog, and if they could touch the dog. Interacting with a live dog was linked to more positive behaviors like smiling, while dog behaviors varied depending on physical contact. Youth mental health interventions incorporating trained therapy animals are increasingly popular, but more research is needed to understand the specific interactive behaviors between participants and therapy dogs. Understanding the role of these interactive behaviors is important for supporting both intervention efficacy and animal welfare and well-being. The goal of this study was to develop ethograms to assess interactive behaviors (including both affiliative and stress-related behaviors) of participants and therapy dogs during a social stress task, explore the relationship between human and dog behaviors, and assess how these behaviors may vary between experimental conditions with varying levels of physical contact with the therapy dog. Using video data from a previous experimental study (n = 50 human–therapy dog interactions, n = 25 control group), we successfully developed behavioral ethograms that could be used with a high degree of interrater reliability. Results indicated differences between experimental conditions in dog and human behaviors based on whether participants were interacting with a live or a stuffed dog, and whether they were allowed to touch the dog. These findings suggest that physically interacting with a live dog may be an important feature of these interventions, with participants demonstrating increased positive behaviors such as laughing and smiling in these conditions. Dog behaviors also varied based on whether they were in the touching/petting condition of the study which could indicate reactions to the session and has potential welfare implications for the dogs. Future research should focus on identifying specific patterns of interactive behaviors between dogs and humans that predict anxiolytic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Previous studies have shown that dog walking could be an effective strategy for increasing physical activity (PA). However, no studies have investigated the impact of dog sports on fitness parameters. This pilot study aimed (a) to evaluate the acute effects of a dog agility course on fitness parameters in young adults and (b) to determine any acute differences after the execution of the dog agility course with and without the dog. Methods In this randomised crossover study, ten physically active young women performed a dog agility course in two different conditions (i.e., with and without the dog). Fitness parameters were recorded using a smartwatch before the dog agility course (T 0 ), immediately after (T 1 ), and 10 minutes after the cool-down phase (T 2). Moreover, the subjective level of perceived exertion during exercise was assessed using the Borg category-ratio scale (Borg CR-10). Results Results showed significant differences in the number of steps ( p = 0.011), walking time ( p = 0.006), average heart rate (HR) ( p = 0.004), maximum HR ( p = 0.003), and perceived exertion ( p = 0.007) between the two conditions at T 1 . Furthermore, significant differences were found for both the average HR and the perceived exertion parameters for both conditions in the three time points (T 0 , T 1, T 2 ). Conclusions Our preliminary results suggest that practising a dog sport could be as effective as other sports and induce several health benefits.

Abstract Background and aim Dog ownership has been suggested as an intervention to increase physical activity and improve mental health, but few studies have investigated the relationships between dog ownership, physical activity, and mental health outcomes together. This study aimed to (1) investigate whether dog ownership, CA-related physical activity, and non-CA-related physical activity were explanatory variables for the relationships between CA ownership, depression, and anxiety via loneliness and (2) examine whether the relationships between these variables differed for older adult CA owners compared to younger adult CA owners. Method Participants were Australian CA owners from the community (N = 588, 76.3% female) aged 18–84 years (M = 55.34, SD = 14.90). A cross-sectional design and online/phone survey methodology were used. Results Path analysis showed that dog owners (compared to owners of other CA types) engaged in higher levels of both CA-related and non-CA-related physical activity, but only non-CA-related physical activity was associated with mental health outcomes. Multigroup moderation analysis showed that older adult and younger adult CA owners experienced similar moderate levels of loneliness, while in younger adults this moderate loneliness was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety as compared to older adults. Conclusion Our findings indicate people who choose to own dogs over other CA types engage in more active lifestyles, but it is the physical activity they perform independently of their dog that is associated with less loneliness and greater mental health. Members of the public should not be universally encouraged by health or other professionals to own a dog to support their mental health based on a belief that dog ownership leads to beneficial physical activity.

This cross-sectional study examined the association of attachment with the frequency of dog walking and physical activity level among dog owners. We analyzed data collected in an internet survey conducted by the Japan Pet Food Association in 2023. Valid data were obtained from 1041 dog owners. The mean (SD) age of participants was 52.5 (14.9) years, with 57.5% being women. Ordinal logistic regression models showed that a higher attachment score was associated with a higher frequency of dog walking after controlling for important confounders (B = 0.04, SE = 0.02, p<0.01, Adjusted R2 = 0.03). Linear regression models showed that a higher attachment score was associated with a higher moderate-vigorous physical activity level (B = 1.43, SE = 0.44, p<0.01, Adjusted R2 = 0.01). These results suggest that dog owners with strong attachment maintain physical activity levels through caring for their dogs. Higher levels of physical activity might have protective effects against adverse health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A promising strategy to increase population physical activity is through promotion of dog walking. Informed by multi-process action control and nascent dog-walking theory, we examined the effectiveness of a 3-month technology-based (dog tracker) 2-arm randomised controlled dog-walking intervention to increase dog-owner daily physical activity in the general community in Sydney, Australia. Results: 37 participants were allocated to the intervention group (mean age = 43.2 [SD 11.9]) and 40 to the control group (mean age = 42.3 [SD 11.9]). Both groups averaged more than 10,500 steps/day at baseline. There was no evidence of within- or between-group physical activity differences across timepoints. The results remained consistent after exclusion of participants who had data collected during COVID-19 lockdowns. Compared with baseline, both groups had significant increases in sedentary time during the post-intervention, and 6 month follow-up. The absence of significant differences between-group physical activity differences may be attributable to the ceiling effect of both groups already being sufficiently active. These results provide useful guidance to future studies intended to assess the efficacy of technology-based dog-walking interventions. Future dog-walking interventions should specifically target physically inactive dog owners. Trial Registration: ACTRN12619001391167 (10/10/2019); Retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owned dogs are often regarded as family members, best friends, or even as substitutes for children. These new roles and their effects on human well-being have received scientific attention, but little is known about how attributing such social functions to dogs might influence the caring behaviour of the owner, which in turn can impact canine welfare. Our online survey of Hungarian dog owners (N = 790) aimed to describe what owners appreciate the most and the least in their dogs and to investigate the relationship between the social and non-social functions of the dog, the characteristics of the owner and the dog, the management practices of the owner, as well as the dog's behaviour, including behaviour problems. We found that most owners appreciated petting and physical contact with their dog (97.6%), followed by 'unconditional love' (93.7%), the dog's beauty (88.4%), and walking with the dog (86.5%). The most frequently mentioned problems were socialisation issues (20.4%) and lack of time (15.9%). Regarding canine behaviour, jumping up (33.2%), chasing animals (28.5%), territoriality (26.7%), and overexcitement (20.9%) were common problems. Almost a quarter of owners rated their dogs as totally obedient and 30.6% as totally safe off-leash. We identified three profiles of dog owners based on the roles they attribute to their dogs. Dogs with both companionship and practical functions (31.1%) were perceived as more obedient and provided higher safety benefits to their owners than others. Dogs regarded as 'companion animals' (19.4%) spent less time with their owners and had older owners than others. Lastly, owners labelled as 'dog parents' (49.5%) were more likely to keep their dog indoors only than others. Importantly, the roles attributed to dogs were not associated with owner-reported canine behaviour problems. We concluded that while the functions humans attribute to dogs are multiple and appear to have direct implications for the dogs' daily lives, these variations in management practices do not necessarily seem to compromise their welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Dog ownership has been suggested as an intervention to increase physical activity and improve mental health, but few studies have investigated the relationships between dog ownership, physical activity, and mental health outcomes together. This study aimed to (1) investigate whether dog ownership, CA-related physical activity, and non-CA-related physical activity were explanatory variables for the relationships between CA ownership, depression, and anxiety via loneliness and (2) examine whether the relationships between these variables differed for older adult CA owners compared to younger adult CA owners. Method: Participants were Australian CA owners from the community (N = 588, 76.3% female) aged 18–84 years (M = 55.34, SD = 14.90). A cross-sectional design and online/phone survey methodology were used. Results: Path analysis showed that dog owners (compared to owners of other CA types) engaged in higher levels of both CA-related and non-CA-related physical activity, but only non-CA-related physical activity was associated with mental health outcomes. Multigroup moderation analysis showed that older adult and younger adult CA owners experienced similar moderate levels of loneliness, while in younger adults this moderate loneliness was associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety as compared to older adults. Conclusion: Our findings indicate people who choose to own dogs over other CA types engage in more active lifestyles, but it is the physical activity they perform independently of their dog that is associated with less loneliness and greater mental health. Members of the public should not be universally encouraged by health or other professionals to own a dog to support their mental health based on a belief that dog ownership leads to beneficial physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral and physiological synchrony facilitate emotional closeness in attachment relationships. The aim of this pseudorandomized cross-over study was to investigate the emotional and physiological link, designated as co-modulation, between dogs and their owners. We measured the heart rate variability (HRV) and physical activity of dogs belonging to co-operative breeds (n = 29) and their owners during resting baselines and positive interaction tasks (Stroking, Training, Sniffing, Playing) and collected survey data on owner temperament and dog–owner relationship. Although overall HRV and activity correlated between dogs and their owners across tasks, task-specific analyses showed that HRV of dogs and owners correlated during free behaving (Pre- and Post-Baseline), whereas the activity of dogs and owners correlated during predefined interaction tasks (Stroking and Playing). Dog overall HRV was the only predictive factor for owner overall HRV, while dog height, ownership duration, owner negative affectivity, and dog–owner interaction scale predicted dog overall HRV. Thus, the characteristics of dog, owner, and the relationship modified the HRV responses in dog–owner dyads. The physiology and behavior of dogs belonging to co-operative breeds and their owners were therefore co-modulated, demonstrating physiological and emotional connection comparable to those found in attachment relationships between humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To report the surgical technique, complications, and outcomes of 8 dogs that underwent a unilateral pantarsal arthrodesis stabilized using a circular external skeletal fixator (CESF) construct for the treatment of uni- or multilevel tarsal instability. ANIMALS 8 dogs. CLINICAL PRESENTATION Medical records from 2010 to 2023 from 2 small animal hospitals were retrospectively reviewed for dogs undergoing pantarsal arthrodeses stabilized with CESF. Data collected for each dog included signalment, injury etiology, construct configuration, radiographic imaging, antimicrobial use, complications, length of time until construct removal, and outcome based on clinical evaluation by the owner and veterinary surgeon. RESULTS 8 dogs met the requirements of inclusion for the study. Dogs had a mean age of 5.5 years (range, 0.42 to 13 years) and weight of 15.1 kg (range, 2.5 to 26.4 kg). Angulated 3- and 4-ring constructs were used in 5 and 3 dogs, respectively, with or without hybridization. Tarsi were stabilized with a mean angle of extension of 124.80 (range, 111.5° to 136.5°). Fixator removal was performed at a mean time of 11.3 weeks (range, 6 to 16 weeks). Complications developed in 4 dogs, 2 of which had poor clinical outcomes despite additional interventions, including recurrent digit trauma and poor limb use postoperatively. Six dogs had excellent outcomes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE A CESF may be considered as an alternative to plate stabilization when performing a pantarsal arthrodesis. This fixation requires rigorous postoperative care but obviates the need for supplemental postoperative coaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assess dog owners' concern levels and veterinary care decisions pertaining to behaviors that might signify pain before and after receiving brief pain-related educational information. Additionally, evaluate dog owners' perceptions of a modified version of the Colorado State University Canine Acute Pain Scale to identify their dog's pain level, determine whether they should take their dog to the veterinarian, and describe their dog's pain to their veterinarian. SAMPLE 367 survey respondents who resided in the US and were the primary caretaker of at least 1 dog. METHODS An electronic survey was created in Qualtrics and distributed via Prolific. Data were analyzed. RESULTS When assessing differences between participants' concern levels before and after educational pain-related information, significant differences were found for 2 of the 3 scenarios. Significant differences were also found between participants' veterinary-related behaviors before and after educational pain-related information for all 3 scenarios. The most common reasons for not seeking immediate veterinary care included elements related to cost, convenience, and dog-related stress during veterinary visits. Most participants reported finding the Canine Acute Pain Scale useful for identifying their dog's pain level (89%), determining whether they should take their dog to the veterinarian (84%), and describing their dog's pain to their veterinarian (89%). CLINICAL RELEVANCE Owners' interpretations of and subsequent actions (or inactions) to behaviors that might suggest pain carry great implications for companion animals' overall well-being. Following exposure to brief educational material about signs and symptoms of canine pain, owners in our study reported significant increases in stated concern related to their dog's change in behavior and intention to seek veterinary care. These findings suggest that even very brief pain related educational material can have a positive impact on owners' perceptions of canine behavioral changes and increase the possibility that they will seek veterinary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leash pulling is a commonly reported problem behavior for dog owners, as a result, a variety of leash equipment types are offered to mitigate pulling force. We were particularly interested in prong collars as their inherently aversive design has made their use a subject of debate. Though banned in certain countries and widely available in others, to date, there is no research comparing them to other leash walking equipment. Methods: We compared four types of leash walking equipment: a martingale (flat collar as baseline measure), a front-connection harness, a polymer prong-style collar (Starmark), and a standard metal prong collar. Twenty-three dogs were walked on all four types of equipment for 5-min each. Equipment was attached to a leash which was connected to a battery-powered strain gauge to measure the dog's pulling force. All walks were video recorded for behavior analysis. Results: There were statistically significant differences among the leash equipment types in pulling impulse (Newtons × seconds), (χ2(2) = 30.6, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences in impulse between the martingale and the other equipment: harness (Z = −3.69, p < 0.001), Starmark collar (Z = −3.62, p < 0.001) and prong collar (Z = −3.92, p < 0.001). No other differences among equipment types were significant. Fifteen behaviors were examined as welfare indicators but only three: looking at the handler, lip licking, and sniffing occurred across all dogs and all walks. There was a statistically significant difference in frequency of lip licking behavior across the four types of leash-equipment (χ2(2) = 8.17, p = 0.04) and post-hoc analysis showed a difference between the martingale and the harness (Z = −2.65, p = 0.008). While our research did not provide any clear evidence of poorer welfare due to equipment type, we caution the generalizability of these findings and recommend further assessment of these items of leash-walking equipment in real-life scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that dog walking could be an effective strategy for increasing physical activity (PA). However, no studies have investigated the impact of dog sports on fitness parameters. This pilot study aimed (a) to evaluate the acute effects of a dog agility course on fitness parameters in young adults and (b) to determine any acute differences after the execution of the dog agility course with and without the dog. Methods: In this randomised crossover study, ten physically active young women performed a dog agility course in two different conditions (i.e., with and without the dog). Fitness parameters were recorded using a smartwatch before the dog agility course (T0), immediately after (T1), and 10 minutes after the cool-down phase (T2). Moreover, the subjective level of perceived exertion during exercise was assessed using the Borg category-ratio scale (Borg CR-10). Results: Results showed significant differences in the number of steps (p = 0.011), walking time (p = 0.006), average heart rate (HR) (p = 0.004), maximum HR (p = 0.003), and perceived exertion (p = 0.007) between the two conditions at T1. Furthermore, significant differences were found for both the average HR and the perceived exertion parameters for both conditions in the three time points (T0, T1, T2). Conclusions: Our preliminary results suggest that practising a dog sport could be as effective as other sports and induce several health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Raw-meat diets (RMD) for dogs, comprising unprocessed or non-heat-treated animal material, are increasingly popular. However, RMDs have been demonstrated to be contaminated with antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria, and there is concern that such diets may pose a zoonotic disease risk. Additionally, dogs fed RMD may shed more AMR-fecal bacteria compared to those fed conventional cooked diets. Data from the UK remain limited; the present study investigated the presence of AMR-Escherichia coli in the feces of RMD and non-RMD (NRMD)-fed dogs in the UK, the E. coli AMR gene complement, and the lifestyle risk factors associated with AMR-E. coli carriage. Methods: Fecal samples from UK-owned dogs (N = 193 RMD, N = 239 NRMD) and questionnaires discussing lifestyle factors, were obtained between October 2020-August 2021. Samples underwent culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing to determine the presence of AMR-E. coli. Whole genome sequencing determined AMR gene carriage. Risk factors for the presence of AMR-E. coli were determined by multivariable modeling. Results: RMD dogs carried significantly more fecal AMR E. coli (p < 0.001), including third-generation cephalosporin resistant, extended-spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) producing, and multidrug resistant isolates and multivariable modeling confirmed raw-meat diets to be a significant risk factor. The blaCTX-M-15 gene was the most frequently identified blaESBL gene. The blaCTX-M-55 and blaSHV-66 genes were also prevalent and were only found in RMD dogs. The mobile colistin resistance gene, mcr-4 was identified in one ESBL-producing E. coli isolate from a NRMD-fed dog. Conclusion: This study has shown that dogs fed RMD in the UK are significantly more likely to shed E. coli which is resistant to highest priority critically important antibiotics, and multidrug resistant E. coli, than dogs fed NRMD. Additionally, AMR-E. coli isolates from RMD-fed dogs harbor multiple, diverse, and novel AMR genes. Therefore, provision of RMD to dogs could pose an important potential threat to human and animal health, especially given the close nature of the relationship many owners share with their pets. Awareness of these findings should be shared with pet owners, veterinary and medical professionals, pet food manufacturers and public health to mitigate potential risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Discriminating the underlying cause of gait abnormalities can be challenging in a clinical setting, especially in the presence of bilateral disease. Pressure-sensitive walkways (PSWs) have been utilized to characterize the gait of dogs with various neurologic or orthopaedic conditions. The potential use of the PSW includes the discrimination of conditions that can be similar in clinical presentation, such as bilateral hindlimb lameness and hindlimb ataxia. The primary aim of this study was to describe the spatial, temporal, and kinetic gait parameters of dogs with hindlimb ataxia or bilateral hindlimb lameness and compare them to those of normal dogs. Forty-six dogs were prospectively recruited. The normal group included 20 dogs with normal neurologic and orthopaedic exams. The orthopaedic group included 15 dogs with bilateral hindlimb orthopaedic diseases with weight-bearing hindlimb lameness and normal neurologic exams. The neurologic group included 11 dogs with ambulatory paraparesis and normal orthopaedic exams. Each dog was walked across the PSW, and at least 3 valid trials were collected. The stride time, stance time, swing time, stride length, gait velocity, peak vertical force (PVF), vertical impulse (VI), and limb symmetry were recorded. The mean values of all parameters from the valid trials were calculated and used for data analysis. The outcomes were compared among all groups. Results: Compared with the normal group, the orthopaedic group had a significantly greater percent body weight distribution (%BWD) and vertical impulse distribution (VID) in the forelimbs. When comparing the spatiotemporal parameters, the neurologic group showed an increase in forelimb stance time compared to that of the normal group. Compared with that in the normal group, the stride velocity in the forelimbs in the orthopaedic group was greater. There were no significant differences in the kinetic parameters between the neurologic group and the normal group, nor in stride time or stride length among the groups. Conclusion: The gait parameters obtained by PSW demonstrated that the orthopaedic and neurologic groups may have different compensatory mechanisms for their gait deficiencies. These parameters can potentially be used to construct a predictive model to evaluate PSW as a diagnostic tool in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Despite potential benefits, human-nature interactions are understudied in winter. • The frequency of high-engagement nature interaction was low in studied urban parks. • Visitors interacted most often with flora, then fauna and abiotic natural elements. • Behaviors like technology use associated with a lower odds of nature interaction. • Naturalized water features in greenspaces may encourage winter nature interaction. Interaction with urban nature provides many nature-derived benefits for people. However, human-nature interaction studies are conducted primarily during the vegetative season, but remain largely unexplored in winter. We therefore used non-participatory methods (i.e. systematically observing park users on-site) to characterize human-nature interactions in three urban parks in Stuttgart, Germany in the winter of 2020/2021 (N = 13,474 observations). Descriptive statistics were calculated and two multivariate logistic regression models built to serve as the basis for analyses. Results indicated that high-engagement human-nature interaction (i.e. nature photography, active observation, touching, or collecting natural elements) was generally low (2.4 % of observations) and that park visitors most frequently interacted with flora, then fauna, and finally abiotic natural elements. Certain visitation behaviors including technology use and visiting alone were associated with a lower odds of high-engagement nature interaction, whereas walking a dog was associated with a higher odds of high-engagement nature interaction. Additionally, odds of high-engagement nature interaction were higher at sites with a naturalized pond. While these findings are context-specific, they provide insight into the number of people that participate in high-engagement nature interaction, details into how they interact with urban nature in winter, and have potential implications for the design and management of urban greenspaces in future cities that best support both people and nature year round. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Canine inflammatory mammary carcinoma is an aggressive and painful type of mammary gland cancer in dogs, often leading to poor quality of life and short survival times. This study investigated the effectiveness of a treatment combining two drugs, toceranib and carprofen, as a first-line therapy for 15 dogs diagnosed with this condition. The aim was to evaluate both the cancer's response to the treatment and any improvements in the dogs' quality of life. The results showed that while no measurable responses were observed, 60% of the dogs experienced stabilization of the disease. Importantly, there were significant improvements in the dogs' overall well-being, including reduced pain and better mobility, appetite, and happiness. The median progression-free survival and the overall survival time were of 76 and 90 days, respectively, which is a notable outcome for such a severe condition. These findings suggest that this drug combination can provide meaningful relief and extend life for dogs suffering from inflammatory mammary carcinoma, offering hope and better management options for pet owners and veterinarians dealing with this challenging disease. Canine inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IMC) is an aggressive and rare type of mammary gland cancer in dogs where vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxigenase-2 overexpression usually occur, which contribute to its invasive and angiogenic nature. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combined treatment regimen of toceranib phosphate and carprofen in dogs with measurable IMC. Fifteen female dogs with histopathologically confirmed IMC were included, undergoing a regimen of toceranib (2.4–2.75 mg/kg PO, three times weekly) and carprofen (4.4 mg/kg/24 h PO). Initial evaluations included physical exams, tumor measurements, complete blood count, biochemistry, urinalysis, three view thoracic radiographs, and abdominal ultrasound. Follow-up assessments of physical condition and quality of life (QOL) were conducted bi-weekly, with tumor response evaluations monthly, using RECIST v1.0 criteria. While no complete or partial responses were observed, 60% of the dogs maintained stable disease, with a median progression-free survival of 76 days and an overall survival of 90 days. Notably, 60% of the dogs showed clinical benefit through improved QOL and disease stabilization. The treatment was well-tolerated, with only grade I/II toxicities reported. Despite limited biological activity against the cancer, this protocol may enhance QOL in dogs with IMC, offering a valuable palliative option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Urban Scavengers: Human Activities Underpin Sandy Beach Scavenging Dynamics" published in the Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America explores how urbanization impacts sandy beach scavenger assemblages and scavenging rates in central California. The study found that urbanization changes the composition of vertebrate scavenger guilds and that beaches with higher domestic dog activity have lower scavenging rates. The research highlights the significant influence of human activities on sandy beach ecosystems and suggests potential interventions like coastal habitat restoration and restrictions on dog walking to enhance ecosystem function on urban beaches. [Extracted from the article]

Booming UK ownership of designer-crossbreed dogs resulting from intentional crossing of distinct purebred breeds is often motivated by perceived enhanced health, despite limited evidence supporting a strong 'hybrid vigour' effect in dogs. Improved evidence on the relative health of designer-crossbreed dogs could support prospective owners to make better acquisition decisions when choosing their new dog. This study used a cross-sectional survey of UK owners of three common designer-crossbreeds (Cavapoo, Cockapoo, and Labradoodle) and their progenitor breeds (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, and Poodle) to collect owner-reported health disorder information. The authors hypothesised that designer-crossbred breeds have lower odds of common disorders compared to their progenitor breeds. Multivariable analysis accounted for confounding between breeds: dog age, sex, neuter status, and owner age and gender. The odds for the 57 most common disorders were compared across the three designer-crossbreeds with each of their two progenitor breeds (342 comparisons). Valid responses were received for 9,402 dogs. The odds did not differ statistically significantly between the designer-crossbreeds and their relevant progenitor breeds in 86.6% (n = 296) of health comparisons. Designer-crossbreeds had higher odds for 7.0% (n = 24) of disorders studied, and lower odds for 6.4% (n = 22). These findings suggest limited differences in overall health status between the three designer-crossbreeds and their purebred progenitors, challenging widespread beliefs in positive hybrid vigour effects for health in this emerging designer-crossbreed demographic. Equally, the current study did not suggest that designer-crossbreeds have poorer health as has also been purported. Therefore, owners could more appropriately base acquisition decisions between designer-crossbreeds and their purebred progenitors on other factors important to canine welfare such as breeding conditions, temperament, conformation and health of parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy (CE) or small-cell lymphoma (SCL) exhibit marked differences in faecal microbiota and organic acid profiles compared with healthy dogs, as well as immune abnormalities in intestinal mucosal tissue. However, few studies have analysed trace organic acids, such as succinic acid, which have been suggested to be associated with IBD in humans. Therefore, in this study, we compared the faecal microbiota and organic acid profiles as well as serum inflammatory markers between dogs with disease (n = 11; 6 with CE and 5 with SCL) and healthy controls (n = 16). We also performed machine learning and correlation analysis to obtain more detailed insights into the characteristics of affected dogs. These results revealed that dogs with CE and SCL had lower levels of Erysipelotrichaceae (e.g. Turicibacter and Allobaculum), exhibited abnormalities in the succinic acid metabolism (i.e. succinic acid accumulation and decreased levels of Phascolarctobacterium as succinic acid-utilising bacteria) and increased levels of pathobiont bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella. Additionally, the presence of Dubosiella was significantly negatively correlated with Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index scores. These findings are expected to aid the development of microbiome-based medications and/or supplements, although further verification is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing evidence that a relationship exists between mental and emotional wellbeing and the gut microbiota. Little is known regarding how the microbiota reacts to repeated acute stress events in dogs, and whether it is a predictor of stress response. In this study, we explored the impact on the gut microbiota and digestive health with two common events many pet dogs find stressful. Twenty healthy adult dogs, living within a colony, were exposed to either car travel or separation three times across eight-week intervals. Faecal samples were collected 24 h before, within 24 h, and 24–48 h after. Faecal quality and pH, and microbiota diversity and composition were analysed in context with wider published work on physiological stress measures. No significant changes were observed in faecal quality or pH with either stress event at any timepoint, indicating all pets remained in good digestive health. Microbiota analysis demonstrated no significant impact on alpha or beta diversity with either stressor. Microbial signatures previously linked to stress were not identified in these dogs and no changes were observed in the functional gut composition. Irrespective of whether the pet was considered "stressed" (i.e., exhibited an increase in serum cortisol), there was no effect on the microbiota and no taxa were predictive of stress response. Collectively, this work demonstrates, for this population, certain acute stress events have no meaningful impact on the canine gut microbiota, and it has no impact on the associated stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cavaletti pole height on temporospatial (TPS) and ground reaction force (GRF) variables as compared to a walking gait in healthy dogs. Animals: A total of 25 client-owned dogs were included in this study. Procedures: This study used client-owned dogs to explore the effects of cavaletti pole height on TPS and GRF variables. Dogs were first walked over a validated pressure-sensitive walkway (PSW) and then walked over the PSW over which six cavaletti poles were set. Cavaletti pole height was initially set at 2 inches and then increased incrementally to 4 inches, 6 inches, and 8 inches. TPS and GRF variables were obtained for all dogs walking across a PSW without cavaletti poles and at each cavaletti height. TPS variables were then compared to those obtained at a normal walking gait. Results: Increasing cavaletti height resulted in significant decreases in walking gait velocity and the number of gait cycles per minute. Conversely, significant increases in gait cycle duration (duration of one complete cycle of gait, which includes the time from the initial contact of one paw to the subsequent contact of the same paw) and gait time (duration to walk the total distance on the PSW) were noted. Increases in stance time, normalized maximum force, and normalized vertical impulse were observed. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Cavaletti height does influence TPS variables in healthy dogs at a walking gait. The effects were most notable with regard to velocity. Due to the lack of consistent velocity for all cavaletti heights, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the effect of cavaletti height on ground reaction forces. Further investigation is needed to elucidate whether it is the velocity, cavaletti height, or combination of both that impacts ground reaction force variables. When selecting cavaletti pole heights for a therapeutic exercise program, an increase in cavaletti height results in a slower walking gait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to describe the historical, physical, neurologic, and clinicopathologic findings in dogs with a definitive diagnosis of marijuana/tetrahydrocannabinol toxicity. ANIMALS A total of 223 dogs with known ingestion of marijuana or a positive tetrahydrocannabinol result on human urine multidrug test. METHODS Retrospective study from January 2017 to July 2021. RESULTS Median age was 1 year (1 month to 12 years). A common history was becoming acutely neurologic after going outside or to a public place (62/223 [27.8%]). Most owners denied possibility of exposure (152/223 [68%]). Median vitals were normal, but hyperthermia (38/212 [22.6%]), tachycardia (82/222 [37%]), and systemic hypertension (37/61 [60.7%]) were common abnormalities. The most common clinical signs included ataxia (197/223 [88.3%]), hyperesthesia (168/223 [75.3%]), urinary incontinence (102/223 [45.7%]), lethargy (140/223 [62.5%]), and vomiting (58/223 [26%]). The most common combinations of neurologic signs included ataxia and hyperesthesia (157/223 [70.4%]) and ataxia, hyperesthesia, and urinary incontinence (81/223 [36.3%]). Mild hyperkalemia (39/76 [51.3%]) and mild hypercalcemia (53/67 [79.1%]) were common. Twenty-two dogs were hospitalized. Survival was 100%. CLINICAL RELEVANCE A common presentation for marijuana toxicosis included young dogs with acute ataxia and hyperesthesia, with and without urinary incontinence, after going outside or to a public place. Vitals were often normal, but hyperthermia, tachycardia, and hypertension were common. Bloodwork was mostly normal, but mild hyperkalemia and mild ionized hypercalcemia were common. Marijuana should be high on the differential list with these history, physical examination, neurologic, and electrolyte abnormalities, regardless of owner denial or negative human urine multidrug test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs can discriminate stressed from non-stressed human odour samples, but the effect on their cognition is unstudied. Using a cognitive bias task, we tested how human odours affect dogs' likelihood of approaching a food bowl placed at three ambiguous locations ("near-positive", "middle" and "near-negative") between trained "positive" (rewarded) and "negative" (unrewarded) locations. Using odour samples collected from three unfamiliar volunteers during stressful and relaxing activities, we tested eighteen dogs under three conditions: no odour, stress odour and relaxed odour, with the order of test odours counterbalanced across dogs. When exposed to stress odour during session three, dogs were significantly less likely to approach a bowl placed at one of the three ambiguous locations (near-negative) compared to no odour, indicating possible risk-reduction behaviours in response to the smell of human stress. Dogs' learning of trained positive and negative locations improved with repeated testing and was significant between sessions two and three only when exposed to stress odour during session three, suggesting odour influenced learning. This is the first study to show that without visual or auditory cues, olfactory cues of human stress may affect dogs' cognition and learning, which, if true, could have important consequences for dog welfare and working performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of dog-walking injuries has recently gained notoriety through major media outlets in North America, including the Washington Post, NPR, and US News and World Report. In this review, we have compiled data from the main studies published in the past 2 decades that assess the incidence, demographics, and injury patterns related to dog leash walking. The available papers indicate that dog leash-related injuries have increased, particularly among women over 65. The most common causes of injury are dog-pulling behavior, which can result in tripping or tangling, with or without a fall, as well as upper extremity injuries. However, there is a lack of information regarding dog size, breed, training status, the type of leash used at the time of injury, and the role each factor may have in the incidence of injuries. The available data did not allow for evaluation of the impact of weather conditions on injury incidence. Information about the involved dogs, type of lead device, and weather conditions could be useful in identifying risk factors associated with dog ownership and guide prospective pet owners and their families to mitigate the risk of injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Ginseng has been regarded as a precious medicinal herb with miraculous effects in Eastern culture. The primary chemical constituents of ginseng are saponins, and the physiological activities of ginsenosides determine their edible and medicinal value. The aim of this study is to comprehensively and systematically investigate the kinetic processes of 20(S)--protopanaxadiol (PPD) in rats and dogs, in order to promote the rational combination of ginseng as a drug and dietary ingredient. Methods: PPD was administered, and drug concentration in different biological samples were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and radioactive tracer methods. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as absorption, bioavailability, tissue distribution, plasma protein binding rate, excretion rate, and cumulative excretion were calculated, along with inference of major metabolites. Results: This study systematically investigated the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) of PPD in rats and dogs for the first time. The bioavailabilities of PPD were relatively low, with oral absorption nearly complete, and the majority underwent first-pass metabolism. PPD had a high plasma protein binding rate and was relatively evenly distributed in the body. Following oral administration, PPD underwent extensive metabolism, potentially involving one structural transformation and three hydroxylation reactions. The metabolites were primarily excreted through feces and urine, indicating the presence of enterohepatic circulation. The pharmacokinetic processes of PPD following intravenous administration aligned well with a three-compartment model. In contrast, after gastric administration, it fitted better with a two-compartment model, conforming to linear pharmacokinetics and proportional elimination. There were evident interspecies differences between rats and dogs regarding PPD, but individual variations of this drug were minimal within the same species. Conclusion: This study systematically studied the kinetic process of PPD in rats and also investigated the kinetic characteristics of PPD in dogs for the first time. These findings lay the foundation for further research on the dietary nutrition and pharmacological effects of PPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free Choice Profiling (FCP) methodology allows observers to qualitatively assess animal behavior using their own vocabulary. This study aims to investigate the ability of 3 different observer groups to recognize pain-related emotions in 20 dogs using FCP methodology, and to compare FCP data with the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale-Short Form (GCPS- SF) scores. The observer groups consisted of 10 dog owners, 10 veterinary students and 10 veterinarians. Ten healthy ("healthy") dogs and 10 dogs showing clinical signs of pain ("pain") were filmed, and the resulting 20 footages were shown to observers who were blind to the pain-related nature of the study. All observers described and scored animals' emotional expression using FCP; then, students and veterinarians scored all dogs using GCPS- SF. FCP data were analyzed using Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA). Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ) was used to determine the correlation among observer groups' FCP scores of the first two FCP dimensions (DIM1 and DIM2), and to compare GCPS-SF scores with FCP scores for the students and veterinarian observer groups. Each observer group reached a significant (p < 0.001) good consensus profile. "Healthy" dogs were mainly described as "quiet" and "lively", while the majority of "pain" dogs were considered "in pain" and "suffering". The correlation among FCP scores was high between owners' DIM1 and students' DIM1 (ρ = -0.86), owners' DIM2 and students' DIM2 (ρ = 0.72) and students' DIM2 and vets' DIM1 (ρ = 0.70). The correlation between GCPS-SF scores and FCP scores was high for students' DIM2 (ρ = 0.77) and for veterinarians' DIM1 (ρ = 0.92). Qualitative methods such as FCP could be used in association with semi-quantitative methods to evaluate the effect of pain on animal emotional expression. Observers' cultural background and personal experience did not substantially affect qualitative behavioral assessment in dogs with acute somatic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With an increasing number of grandparents providing care to their grandchildren, calls have been made for these caregivers to be considered important stakeholders in encouraging children's engagement in health-promoting behaviors, such as physical activity. Understanding the perspectives of grandparents who provide care is crucial to informing efforts that aim to increase children's physical activity, yet little is understood about their perceptions of specific barriers and enablers to promoting children's physical activity and reducing screen time. The present study sought to explore these perceptions. Methods: Semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with grandparents who reported providing care to a grandchild aged 3 to 14 years. A total of 20 grandparents were sampled (mean age = 67.8 years). Data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Key reported barriers to physical activity included (i) the effort (physical and logistical) and financial cost associated with organizing physical activities, (ii) grandparents' age and mobility issues (e.g., due to injury or illness), (iii) caring for children of different ages (e.g., older children having different physical activity interests than younger children), and (iv) a local environment that is not conducive to physical activity (e.g., lack of appropriate facilities). Barriers to reducing screen time included (i) parents sending children to care with electronic devices and (ii) children's fear of missing out on social connection that occurs electronically. Strategies and enablers of physical activity included (i) integrating activity into caregiving routines (e.g., walking the dog), (ii) involving grandchildren in decision making (e.g., asking them in which physical activities they wish to engage), (iii) encouraging grandchildren to engage in activity with other children, and (iv) creating a physical and social environment that supports activity (e.g., owning play equipment). A common strategy for reducing screen time was the creation of a home environment that is not conducive to this activity (e.g., removing electronic devices from view). Conclusions: Findings suggest that grandparents may benefit from resources that assist them to identify activities that are inexpensive and require minimal effort to organize. Activities that account for grandparents' age and health status, as well as any environmental barriers, are likely to be well-received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Working dogs, specifically search and rescue dogs, represent a fundamental resource in the social field for their activities carried out both in daily life and in disaster conditions. Canine well-being must therefore represent an obligation for the governance of a country as well as veterinary clinical research. Our aim was to verify the use of accurate tools for monitoring cardiac activity during operating in the field. The study conducted with electrocardiogram and Holter methods highlighted, in 31 healthy dogs, the presence of few electrical alterations during work with the use of the Holter or, immediately afterwards, with the use of the electrocardiogram. The aim of this study was to observe electric cardiac activity in real working conditions, with the application of Holter and the electrocardiogram in search and rescue dogs. Thirty-one handlers of search and rescue dogs voluntarily participated in this study. Nine dogs were selected to wear the Holter, and twenty-three were submitted to electrocardiographic recordings (one dog, excluded by Holter examination, was then included in the ECG group). Our results showed few cardiac rhythm alterations, such as escape beats, premature ventricular beat, and depression and elevation of the ST segment, particularly during the working phase in the Holter group and during recovery time immediately after activity in the electrocardiographic group. Detected alterations in real working conditions may provide more information than routine checks, and Holter monitoring can be more functional. However, not all dogs tolerate wearing the Holter harness, and more time is thus needed to apply the equipment. In addition, the results are not immediate, and the absence of water is essential because it would damage the equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Changes in renal blood flow may play an important role in the onset and progression of kidney disease. Evaluation of this parameter is of great interest because it may be reduced early in the progression of renal disease even before other indications of renal dysfunction. Non-invasive measurement of renal blood flow would greatly advance our understanding of renal disease and aid in evaluating therapeutic approaches. An imaging method that allows this and offers several advantages over other imaging methods is the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method, arterial spin labeling (ASL). However, ASL-MRI has not been previously used for renal perfusion assessment in dogs and parameters required for accurate quantification in this species are unknown. In this study, critical parameters for renal perfusion quantification with ASL-MRI in dogs were determined. The use of dog-specific parameters obtained from this study resulted in lower perfusion values than those obtained by using standard scanner settings. In conclusion, this study determined preliminary parameters essential for ALS-MRI-based renal blood flow quantification in dogs. These optimized parameters could provide a more reliable estimate of renal blood flow for dogs when using ASL-MRI. Further research is needed to confirm these values, but it can help guide future research. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI allows non-invasive quantification of renal blood flow (RBF) and shows great potential for renal assessment. To our knowledge, renal ASL-MRI has not previously been performed in dogs. The aim of this pilot study was to determine parameters essential for ALS-MRI-based quantification of RBF in dogs: T1, blood (longitudinal relaxation time), λ (blood tissue partition coefficient) and TI (inversion time). A Beagle was scanned at 3T with a multi-TI ASL sequence, with TIs ranging from 250 to 2500 ms, to determine the optimal TI value. The T1 of blood for dogs was determined by scanning a blood sample with a 2D IR TSE sequence. The water content of the dog's kidney was determined by analyzing kidney samples from four dogs with a moisture analyzer and was subsequently used to calculate λ. The optimal TI and the measured values for T1,blood, and λ were 2000 ms, 1463 ms and 0.91 mL/g, respectively. These optimized parameters for dogs resulted in lower RBF values than those obtained from inline generated RBF maps. In conclusion, this study determined preliminary parameters essential for ALS-MRI-based RBF quantification in dogs. Further research is needed to confirm these values, but it may help guide future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'Bow-Wow Patrol (BWP)', established to avert local crime by encouraging dog walking, may help build social relationships among individuals through dog walking. However, details of its social influence remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the social roles of BWP in the urban areas of Japan. A total of 18 BWP organisation members from two Tokyo municipalities were recruited using snowball sampling between November 2021 and July 2022. In an interview, participants were asked about their perceptions of changes in their social relationships through the BWP. Qualitative content analysis was conducted after text mining using the KH Coder software. The mean age of the participants was 63.9 years, and 83.3% engaged in BWP 7 days a week. The content analysis revealed six social roles of the BWP: establishment of social networks with schools as the centre, establishment of loose networks inside and outside the BWP organization, enhancement of a sense of trust among neighbours, enhancement of a sense of trust in communities, norms of reciprocity among dog owners, and dog and owner characteristics. This study found that the BWP in urban Japan strengthens social cohesion and expands social networks among dog walkers, encouraging them to continue walking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs can negatively affect the wellbeing of people and nature, but if this changes along a socioeconomic gradient, then social inequity might be at fault. Here, we identify environmental injustice at the city scale by modeling differences in the density of urban dog populations according to varying levels of socioeconomic development across municipalities of Chile's capital, Santiago. Our analysis demonstrates a strong relation between dog density and social inequity, specifically because dog density increases along with poverty, but decreases in municipalities with higher municipal income. We offer specific proposals to ameliorate and reverse this inequity. These results expose another aspect of the impacts people and nature are subjected to by dogs, adding a new social lens to address the dog problem worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in old dogs and cats. Patients with CKD have impaired renal structures and decreased renal function. Because renal degeneration is generally irreversible, treatment of CKD is focused mainly on conserving the remaining renal function. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the effects of oligo-fucoidan, fucoxanthin, and L-carnitine in canine CKD patients. The supplements were supplied for 6 months and showed a reno-protective effect, consistent with previous animal model studies. Based on our results, the combination of oligo-fucoidan, fucoxanthin, and L-carnitine has the potential to delay the progression of canine CKD and be used as an adjuvant therapy. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) commonly occurs in old dogs and cats. Oligo-fucoidan, fucoxanthin, and L-carnitine (OFL) compounds have a variety of reno-protective properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-fibrotic effects. Because their effects have not been investigated in naturally occurring canine CKD, we examined their reno-protective activities in dog patients with CKD. A total of 50 patients (OFL, n = 28; control, n = 22) were included in the analysis. A significant difference was identified in serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations between the control and OFL groups at 6 months. No significant difference in electrolytes was found between the groups. A significant difference was identified in serum creatinine concentration between the control and OFL groups in azotemic (CKD IRIS stage 2–4) at 6 months. The OFL compounds showed a reno-protective effect, consistent with previous animal studies. The OFL combination can potentially delay the progression of canine CKD and be used as an adjuvant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the nutritional needs and health outcomes of ageing cats and dogs. It discusses the lack of explicit nutritional guidelines for feeding ageing animals and emphasizes the importance of increased scientific knowledge in this area. The article also highlights the differences in nutrient requirements between cats and dogs and the impact of dietary format on their health. It discusses the role of the gut microbiome in ageing and calls for updated nutrient guidelines that consider the unique nutritional requirements of ageing cats and dogs. The article also discusses the mechanisms of aging in cats and dogs, the effects of diet on their aging process, and the lack of specific nutritional guidelines for senior pets. It mentions the need for further research to understand the aging process in cats and dogs and develop targeted dietary interventions to improve their healthspan. The article provides a table summarizing nutrients that have been proven to be effective in improving certain aspects of cats' and dogs' health. It also discusses the health concerns affecting senior pets, such as sarcopenia, inflammageing, and cognitive function. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to understand the specific nutrient requirements of aging cats and dogs and develop nutritional guidelines for them. [Extracted from the article]

This document discusses the emerging industry of promoting human performance and health. It highlights the challenges faced by individuals in today's society, such as stress and physical pain, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The document explores three opportunities for promoting human performance and health: untraditional treatments or assisted interventions, a systematic mechanism for balancing economic development and human health, and the use of technology for medical insurance auditing. It also includes two articles on the use of aromatherapy for improving physical and mental health, and two articles on air pollution analysis and forecasting. The document concludes by discussing research opportunities and challenges in these emerging industries. [Extracted from the article]

The editorial discusses the impact of nonpharmacological interventions on glycemic control in diabetes management. Lifestyle changes, including nutrition therapy, physical activity, and psychosocial care, play a crucial role in achieving treatment goals and improving quality of life for individuals with diabetes. Studies on fruit consumption, carbohydrate counting, resistance training, and dog ownership provide insights into how these interventions can affect HbA1c levels and overall glycemic control in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The research emphasizes the importance of integrating nonpharmacological approaches with pharmacological treatments to optimize diabetes management. [Extracted from the article]