Companion Animal Science Exam 1

What is the primary focus of the course on companion animals?

To understand the human-animal bond and responsibilities of animal ownership.

What are some key aspects of companion animal domestication covered in the course?

Anatomy, behavior, physiology, nutrition, health, and disease.

What role do companion animals play in human health and well-being?

They reduce stress, alleviate depression, and positively affect the cardiovascular system.

What are companion animals defined as?

Animal species that have a special association or interaction with people.

What are some examples of companion animals?

Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even some large animals like goats and horses.

How long have dogs been domesticated?

At least 16,000 years.

What species are dogs descended from?

The grey wolf (Canis lupus).

When were cats domesticated, and from which wild species do they descend?

About 10,000 years ago from the wild African bush cat (Felis lybica).

What are some therapeutic uses of companion animals?

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to improve quality of life and assist in the stress/grief/bereavement process.

What has been the trend in companion animal populations in the U.S.?

Significant increase in the number of dogs and cats, with 68% of U.S. households owning a pet.

What factors contribute to the increase in companion animal ownership?

Increased personal security concerns, smaller households, and greater engagement with animals.

What is the projected percentage of the population over 65 years by 2030?

More than 20% of the total population.

What was the pet industry worth in 2010?

More than $47 billion.

What are some components of the pet services and supplies industry?

Pet foods, toys, health care, insurance, and veterinary services.

What is a significant aspect of pet health insurance?

It covers specific services and has limits similar to human medical insurance.

What are some benefits of bonding with companion animals?

Unconditional love, emotional support, and a reason to be active.

What percentage of dog and cat owners in the U.S. are female?

Approximately three-fourths.

What is the significance of the human-companion animal bond?

It can improve a person's health and well-being through companionship.

What are the common factors people consider when selecting healthcare providers for pets?

Quality of services, convenience, relationships, and costs.

What is the role of companion animals in search and rescue operations?

They assist in tracking work, narcotics detection, and providing personal security.

What has been the increase in the number of dogs from 1991 to 2011?

From approximately 52.5 million to 72 million, a 37% increase.

What is animal-assisted therapy (AAT)?

Therapy that uses animals to improve the quality of life for individuals.

What is a major challenge in the healthcare costs related to an aging population?

Healthcare costs rose from ~$246 billion in 1980 to ~$2.6 trillion in 2011.

What is the impact of companion animals on children?

They teach caring behavior and help improve self-esteem.

What are some luxury items and services available for pets?

Clothing, gourmet items, and health care services like plastic surgery.

What is the significance of the companion animal industry?

It plays a crucial role in the lives of people and animals, reflecting societal values.

What type of legal action can be taken against professional service providers related to companion animals?

Legal action can include damages for 'loss of companionship' and disputes over who gets the companion animal.

What are some career options in veterinary medicine?

Career options include private practice, teaching, research, public health, industry, governmental agencies, ecosystem health, laboratory animal medicine, military, and zoo medicine.

What role do veterinarians play in food production?

Veterinarians evaluate food production practices, understand transmission of foodborne illnesses, and address zoonotic diseases.

What percentage of U.S. veterinarians work in private or corporate clinical practice?

75% of U.S. veterinarians work in private or corporate clinical practice.

What is the significance of veterinarians in public health?

Veterinarians serve as epidemiologists, investigating animal and human disease outbreaks and ensuring food safety.

What are some examples of diseases veterinarians help control?

Veterinarians help control diseases such as rabies, Lyme disease, and West Nile viral encephalitis.

What is the role of the USDA's Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS)?

FSIS ensures food products are safe through nationwide inspection programs and oversees animal health.

What are the responsibilities of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?

APHIS monitors vaccine development and enforces laws for humane treatment of animals in research and testing.

How many AVMA-accredited colleges of veterinary medicine are there in the United States?

There are 32 AVMA-accredited colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States.

What is the educational requirement for veterinary technicians?

Veterinary technicians typically complete a 2- to 3-year Associate of Science degree.

What are some specific career opportunities for veterinary technicians?

Veterinary technicians can work in humane societies, boarding facilities, biomedical research, and diagnostic laboratories.

What is the role of veterinarians in military service?

Veterinarians in the military focus on food safety, veterinary care of government animals, and biomedical research.

What is the importance of animal behaviorists in pet ownership?

Animal behaviorists help pet owners with pet selection, care, training, and correcting behavioral problems.

What are some areas of research within veterinary medicine?

Research areas include animal nutrition, behavior, genetics, and the biology of reproduction.

What is the role of veterinarians in the context of bioterrorism?

Veterinarians are involved in managing animals and ensuring public health safety against bioterrorism threats.

What are the responsibilities of veterinarians in regulatory medicine?

Veterinarians supervise animal health inspections and ensure the safety of food products.

What is the significance of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) data from 2024?

The AVMA data shows the demographics of veterinarians, including gender distribution.

What are some non-traditional areas of veterinary medicine?

Non-traditional areas include aerospace medicine, aquatic animal medicine, and sports medicine.

What is the role of veterinarians in teaching and research?

Veterinarians teach students and professionals, conduct research, and develop continuing education programs.

What is the impact of veterinarians on public health regarding zoonoses?

Veterinarians play a crucial role in strategies to prevent zoonotic diseases and bioterrorism-related health threats.

What are some challenges faced in foreign animal disease surveillance?

Challenges include protecting pets and livestock from diseases associated with potential bioterrorism attacks.

What is the importance of veterinary technicians in biomedical research?

Veterinary technicians provide essential support in laboratories and research settings for animal health studies.

What are the responsibilities of veterinarians at the CDC?

Veterinarians at the CDC prepare for bioterrorism threats and manage biological agents and related programs.

What is the significance of the veterinary profession in society?

Veterinarians consistently rank among the most respected professionals, reflecting their vital role in animal and public health.

What are some roles involved in authorship and editing related to animal sciences?

Writing and editing articles for catalogs, magazines, newspapers, technical publications, and social media.

What is the main focus of a companion animal breeder?

Breeding superior animals, raising and selling puppies and kittens, and purpose-bred animals for research.

What opportunities exist in conservation biology?

Field biologists conduct research to ensure the perpetuation of wildlife species and improve animal health.

Which organizations are associated with careers in foreign service related to animal sciences?

Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), USAID, International Livestock Research Centers, and WHO.

What services do professional groomers provide?

Bathing, training, brushing, and related grooming services for pets.

What is the role of judges in companion animal competitions?

Qualified judges are needed for breed shows, field trials, and other competitions.

What employment opportunities are available in kennel and cattery management?

Management of kennels or catteries, or colonies of research animals.

What services do pet motels and day care centers provide?

Grooming, training, and care for pets while owners are away.

What business opportunities exist in the pet industry?

Owning/managing businesses that manufacture or sell pet foods, treats, toys, and supplies.

What is the role of a professional handler/trainer?

Fitting and showing companion animals, training for obedience, and specialized tasks.

How do animal-assisted therapists contribute to society?

They improve the quality of life for the physically impaired and provide personal satisfaction.

What are some other career opportunities in animal sciences?

Professional photographers, pet transportation, zoo animal caretakers, and pet care in homes.

What is the main mechanism by which evolution operates according to Darwin?

Natural selection.

What does natural selection depend on?

Overproduction of species, competition, and variation among individuals.

What are survivorship curves?

Graphs that represent the number of individuals surviving at each age for a given species.

What is meant by 'survival of the fittest'?

Individuals with traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more likely to pass on those traits

What are the three primary types of selection in evolution?

Directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection.

What is frequency-dependent selection?

Rare types have an advantage only while they are rare; their advantage decreases as they become more common.

How does the environment act as a natural selector?

It influences which traits are advantageous, leading to stabilizing or directional selection.

What is the significance of genetic variation in natural selection?

Genetic differences among individuals are essential for natural selection to lead to evolutionary change.

What is heterosis in genetics?

The phenomenon where heterozygotes have a reproductive advantage over homozygotes, maintaining genetic diversity.

What is heterosis?

Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, refers to the phenomenon where mixed-breed individuals exhibit improved or superior biological qualities compared to their purebred counterparts.

How can genetic variation be maintained in a population?

Genetic variation can be maintained through polymorphisms, environmental variations, heterosis, and seasonal changes that favor different forms.

What is a mutation?

A mutation is any heritable change in a gene or chromosome, often resulting from errors during the production of eggs or sperm.

What role do mutations play in evolution?

Mutations introduce randomness into genetic systems; while most are neutral, beneficial mutations can lead to improved fitness and reproductive success.

What is the relationship between mutation effects and evolutionary change?

Most mutations produce small effects, and beneficial mutations are often inversely related to their phenotypic magnitude, contributing to slow evolutionary change.

What is sexual recombination?

Sexual recombination is the process of reshuffling chromosomes during reproduction, generating genetic diversity in offspring.

What does 'survival of the fittest' imply in evolutionary biology?

'Survival of the fittest' suggests that success in reproduction, rather than mere survival, is the ultimate goal of evolutionary processes.

What factors does natural selection operate on?

Natural selection operates on factors such as dominance hierarchies, territory ownership, access to mates, and food resources, all evaluated based on their contribution to reproductive success.

How does natural selection introduce order into genetic variation?

While the production of genetic variability is random, natural selection systematically evaluates reproductive success, creating non-random patterns in populations.

What is the primary socialization period (PSP) in domestic dogs and cats?

The PSP is a critical developmental phase starting around 3 weeks of age, during which young mammals can form social attachments to humans and other species.

What happens if puppies and kittens are not socialized during their primary socialization period?

If not socialized during the PSP, positive social responses to humans decline, leading to fearful behaviors.

What is the common social structure of wolves?

Wolves typically live in packs, which provide insights into the social behavior of domestic dogs.

How do domestic cats differ from their wild ancestors?

Domestic cats, descended from the African wildcat, have adapted to live with humans and can thrive in various social environments, unlike their solitary hunting ancestors.

What is communicative behavior in animals?

Communicative behavior occurs when one animal responds to signals emitted by another, facilitating interaction and social bonding.

What is the significance of behavioral problems in companion animals?

Behavioral problems account for one-third of dogs and cats surrendered to shelters, highlighting the need for early detection and intervention.

What is the impact of natural selection on species as a whole?

Natural selection operates on individuals, leading to a population of more fit individuals, but does not guarantee the survival of the species itself.

What is the relationship between genetic variation and natural selection?

Genetic variation is often an incidental result of natural selection, which operates to maximize reproductive success rather than directly promoting variation.

What is the role of indirect competition in natural selection?

Indirect competition can involve efficient resource utilization and resistance to environmental stresses, ultimately affecting reproductive success.

How does the critical period of socialization differ among species?

The critical period for socialization varies by species; for dogs and cats, it lasts until approximately 16 weeks of age.

What are the three types of communicative signals used by dogs and cats?

Visual, auditory, and olfactory signals.

What does anogenital sniffing in dogs indicate?

It helps gather information about the gender and reproductive stage of the other dog.

How do cats typically greet others?

With their tail held vertically and back legs slightly extended.

What is a play bow in dogs?

A posture where the dog lowers its front end while keeping its rear end up, often followed by running or chasing.

What postural signals indicate an offensive stance in dogs?

Erect hairs on the back, an arched back, high stance on front toes, and a high-held tail.

What are the five basic sound groups used in vocal communication among animals?

Infantile sounds, warning sounds, eliciting sounds, withdrawal sounds, and pleasure sounds.

What does barking signify in dogs?

Barking can indicate greeting, play solicitation, alarm, hunting, defense, or distress.

How do cats use meows in communication?

To request food, play, or other interactions with their owners.

What is the significance of scent in dog communication?

Scent provides species recognition, conveys information about gender and reproductive stage, and marks territory.

How do female dogs attract males during estrus?

By excreting potent pheromones in their urine