Canine Reproduction & Behavior

Companion Animal Euthanasia

4,000,000 dogs and cats euthanized per year; majority of animas coming to shelter are euthanized

Male Dog Reproductive System

Lacks seminal vesicle and Bulbourethral glands; only has prostate as accessory organ

Puberty in Male Dogs

Average age of onset is 9 months, but can be anywhere from 5-12 months

Seminiferous Epithelium

Almost all sperm development occurs here

Spermatogenium

Early stages of sperm

Spermatids

Become spermatozoa

Sertoli cells

Somatic cells in the testes that support sperm production and testicular function

Endocrinology (Male)

Hypothalamus releasing GnRH —> Triggers release of LH and FSH to stimulate testes to secrete testosterone —> FSH regulates Sertoli cells and LH acts on lytic cells

Puberty (Female)

Small breeds get puberty early; typically 9-12 months but can start anywhere from 6 to 24 months

Monoestrous

Experience one estrous cycle (heat) per breeding cycle

Histology of Ovary

Start as primordial follicle —> become larger as pockets mature —> produce progesterone

Ovulation

High levels of estrogen from almost mature follicle stimulate release of more GnRH and LH; Ova are released from follicles two or three days, initiation of LH surge; after ovulation, oocytes complete meiosis I

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Overgrowth of prostate; causes incontinence in dogs; dependent on testosterone production; prevented by castration

Osteosarcoma

Large breeds are most susceptible; more gonadal hormone exposure + less risk; castrated males are 4x more likely to likely to develop this before 1 year old and spayed females are 3x more likely before 1 year old

Neuterosol

Stops sperm production

GnRH vaccine

GonaCon; GnRH conjugated to KLA; used on dogs and cats

Female Contraception

Sperm antigens; ZP3 (blocks function of sperm receptor)

Categories of Animal Behavior

Feeding, social, maternal, developmental/learning, sexual and reproductive, and abnormal

Levels of Behavior

Motor/action level (what animal is doing), functional level (purpose of action pattern), and abstract

Internal Stimuli

Genetics, experience, development, etc

External Stimuli

Social, environmental, etc

Dog/Breed Personalities

Affects reactivity, fearfulness, etc

Social Behavior

Very social; communication is key (via senses), play (dog-dog or dog-human), leadership/submission (territorial)

Dominant Aggressive

Lips curled, nose wrinkled, barred teeth, stiff, tail raised

Fearful Aggressive

Body lowered, tail tucked, no barred teeth

Fearful Worried

Ears back, licking, etc

Submission

Exposes stomach, eyes partly closed

Exploratory Behavior

Curious, need sensory input, chasing, hunting, etc

Feeding Behavior

How an animal searches for, selects, and ingests food, puzzle bowls slow dogs down

Reproductive Behavior

Mate choice, courtship behavior, and copulation; females leave pheromones behind in heat (two heat cycles per year); spaying & neutering decreases behavior

Maternal Behavior

Nest building, maternal care & bonding (grooming, feeding, educating, protecting), weaning

Development/Learning Behavior

Behavioral Development; prenatal (stress), neonatal, acquire sensory systems, early experience is CRITICAL; application: yelp when your puppy bites you to teach them not to

Behavioral Issues (Abnormal Behavior)

Separation anxiety, noise anxiety, tail chasing, chewing, digging

Causes of Abnormal Behavior

Diet, restricted environment, physiology, genetics/breed

Animal Welfare

Health, safety, psychological wellness

Five Freedoms (Animal Welfare)

Hunger or thirst; discomfort; pain, injury, or disease; fear and distress; express (most) normal behavior

Basic Health & Functioning

Food, water, nutrition, shelter, good health

Natural Living (Forwards Approach)

History, adaptations, what behaviors are they motivated to perform; example: give your dog a preference test

Natural Living (Backwards Approach)

What is the welfare problem? Where does it stem from?; example: motivation tests

Environmental Enrichment

Social, occupational, physical, sensory, and nutritional

Affective States

Negative emotions, positive emotions; measuring subjective states is ESSENTIAL