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ANIMAL BEHAVIORETHOLOGY is the scientific study of animal behavior in response to its environment. Animal behavior is a complex process involving:(1) the interaction of inherited abilities (instincts). Domestic and laboratory animals retain to a considerable degree the acute senses that are so important to their wild counterparts in social interaction, defense, reproduction, and the detection and selection of food.Instinct: reflexes and responses that the animal has at birthSeasonal: example – hibernation, migration(2) the environmental experiences to which the animal is subjected.Habituation: learning to respond without thinking, becoming accustomed to stimuli.(3) the anatomical make-up of the speciesPhysical characteristics that have enabled that species to survive.Dr. Robert M. Miller states:"Each animal species has evolved to survive in its environment. This is accomplished by the development of genetically fixed variation in its anatomy, physiology, and behavior. If we as veterinarians and as veterinary assistants are familiar with the genetically fixed behavioral characteristics of our patients, the handling and management of these animals will be greatly facilitated. Not only does this expedite the work we have to do, but is leads to more humane handling of our patients and creates a favorable impression on the part of their owners."There is a tendency to think that if one has developed a good rapport with one species of animal the same knowledge can be transferred directly to other species. Unfortunately, handling techniques may have little transferability; sometimes the techniques are merely inefficient, and sometimes they are dangerous. For example one would not handle a cow in the same manner as a dog, but some may assume horses can be handled with the same techniques as cattle. Which is not true because of their different personalities? It must also be remembered that certain behavioral signs in one species have different meanings in other species. For example: a horse pawing the ground may being exhibiting nervous energy, whereas a bull pawing the ground may be making an aggressive threat or merely flipping dirt on its shoulders because of flies.It is important for a technician to learn to analyze each handling and restraint situation, being concerned with such things as: (1) the environment or surrounding in which the animal is being handled, (2) the typical behavior patterns of that particular species, and (3) how much human contact the animal has had. Imprinting: When an animal forms a social attachment to another object during a critical time right after being born.Perception of environment in domestic animalsAll animals perceive their environments and surrounding with the five senses, especially through: (1) smell, (2) sight, and (3) hearing. It is important to understand how various animals use these senses, because how the animal senses your approach into its environment (space) must be a primary concern when approaching the various species.SMELLThis system is well developed in all domestic mammals, but is poor in domestic fowl. All domestic mammals demonstrate the sniffing behavior, they use this to identify their own young in herds and flocks. Smell also plays an important part in the identification of places and people.When attempting to foster orphan young onto a foster mother we must be aware of this trait. We need to somehow fool the mother’s sense of smell in order to facilitate the possible adoption. This can be done by smearing the young with secretions of the adoptive mother, or the deceased young. In cases of large animals place the hide of the dead young on the new mother may help.Animals use smell to identify places, and this can be a common problem encountered in a veterinary practice which has a variety of odors associated with it (disinfectants, cleaners, and many different animals). This is why it is important to make a young animal’s first visit as pleasant as possible, so these smells will not be associated with pain.Smell is also used to make an animal’s territory, dogs usually mark their territory by urination, and it is not uncommon for dogs to enter a waiting room and try to make the corners, garbage cans, etc. Cats mark their territory by rubbing scent glands on the side of its face on the object. Pheromones are odors secreted by animals male or female to convey certain messages. This is particularly important to reproduction and sexual receptivity. Cows, ewes, and mares produce pheromones in vaginal secretion and the urine. Bulls, rams, and stallions smell the vagina and urine to detect these secretions. A common behavioral response in this process in called Flehmen, where the male animal lifts it head and curls the upper lip. In pigs it is the boar that secretes the pheromones and the female will then seek out the boar for mating. An animal’s sexual behavior characteristics should be considered when handling animals used for breeding purposes. Stallions may become very excited and hard to handle around mares in heat. This may be overcome by confusing the stallions’ sense of smell by placing such things as "Vicks" in their nostrils.HEARINGAll domestic mammals have well developed method of directing sound waves into the external ear, using the skin-covered cartilaginous structure called the pinnae. Domestic animals have the ability to move the pinnae to focus on the source of the sound. Different types of sounds are part of an animal’s communication behavior.(1) A distress call, involving a different type of sound, occurs from either the female or her young when they become separated or distressed. Even adult animals call for help when under stress.(2) The bull vocally communicates his aggressive behavior challenge to other bulls and intruders to his area through a deep bellow. This bellow and aggressive behavior is under hormonal control, as castrated males seldom exhibit this behavior.The position of the ears can also be used as an indicator of behavioral conditions. (1) A horse will lay its ears back flat against its head when angry.(2) An aggressive dogs may put their ears forward.(3) A submissive dog will flatten its ears. But care must be taken when assessing the position of the ears, sometimes an animal may be simply trying to determine where a sound is coming from and not misbehaving and if severely reprimanded may become scared and harder to handle in similar situations.VISIONAll domestic animals except the pig have better night vision than that of people. How much color animals can perceive has still not been fully determined. The field of vision in domestic herbivores tends to be rather wide which enable them to detect encroachment at various angles. This is particularly true in the rabbit and horse which all most have complete all-round vision. The average sheep has a field of vision of 270 degrees; they are very heavily dependent on their vision. These characteristic need to been considered when approaching the animals, NEVER APPROACH AN ANIMAL FROM THEIR BLIND SPOTS, THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THE HORSE. The eyes of the domestic animals focus by means of muscles controlling the shape of the lens, except for the horse. The horse’s muscles are not as well developed, so the horse must angle its head in order get a sharper picture. Some handlers may mistake this for fractiousness when the horse may only be attempting to get a better look at an object. Why do livestock balk at shadows? It may be due to poor depth perception. Ruminant animals can perceive depth while they are standing still with their heads down, but they have difficulty seeing depth when they are moving with their head up.Cats have excellent night vision, and they are very sensitive to the slightest movement. This regrettably facilitates the cats ability to "nail you" when someone gets too close to a fearful or vengeful patient.Some dogs were bred to hunt by sight these are referred to a sight hounds (Greyhounds, Borzois, Salukis, and Afghans). A technician or handler needs to be aware of this characteristic, because these animals may react to something before the handler notices it themselves.TOUCHIs a form of communication that is often over-looked. Huddling of herd oriented animals is a response to conflict or temperature. Pack oriented animals may pile on top of one another. Mutual grooming develops the social bond between individuals. Physical contact may be a way of resolving conflicts and establishing the pecking order of the group. Canines will bite or hold the scruff of the neck, or force them down with their weight. Therefore hanging dogs or shaking them by the scruff of the neck is often a very strong punishment. Horses may kick or slam a shoulder into another. Therefore a knee or fist properly used may correct unacceptable equine behavior.The manner is which you touch the animal may also affect their behavior. Tentative, light touching or patting may make species nervous or apprehensive. A steady, firm stroke or firm pats are reassuring to most species. Scratching and stroking the hair and skin is relaxing to most animals.AGONISTIC BEHAVIOR Agonistic behaviors are those associated with conflict. These behaviors cover the range of responses, from passive avoidance, through the assertion of dominance to the extreme of aggression and fighting.Each species in a given environment has its own degree of response, but certain cues are common to all. Each animal has what is known as its "flight distance or individual distance" (this is the distance in which someone or thing may approach before the animal feels threatened). If a person encroaches with this distance, which is measured visually, the animals become alert. This animal is becoming prepared for a possible conflict. The animal’s muscles prepare for movement, the heart rate and respiration increases. If further movement toward the animal is detected and the animal feels it is unable to maintain a safe distance between you and itself action will be take in the form of flight (avoidance, moving away from you) or fight (aggressive action). This behavior is of particular importance when working with exotic animals or animals which have had little human contact. It must be determined if the treatment is worth the stress that the animal will go through during the procedure and if the danger to the technician or handler is warranted. It is extremely important that the proper precautions are exercised in these situations.AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORSAggressive behavior is the form of agnostic or conflict behavior that leads up to and includes fighting. Aggression is the result of several factors.1950 to early 1970’s there were an estimated 0.5 – 1 million dog bites per year. 1970’s – 1990’s there were 3.5 – 4.7 million dog bites per year. Only about 17% of dog bites are reported. Estimates indicate that approximately 17-18% of all bites receive medical attention and that approximately 1-2% of all bites require hospitalization. Dog bite related injuries comprise approximately 3.6% of emergency department visits by male children between ages 5-9 years. Data also showed that the majority of dog bites requiring medical attention were children under the age of 15 years.Estimates suggest that by the age of 11 the majority of children have been bitten by a dog, generally one they knew. The family dog is involved in 25% to 33% of the bites. Children are at least 3 times more likely to experience a medically attended bite. Dog bites to human males are reported 1.4 – 3 times more frequently than are bites to females.In Utah since 1965-2005, there have been 3 fatal dogs attacks in Utah. All three victims were young male children. On case involved a large number of chained dogs being kept on the premises. One of the dogs fatally bit a 2 year-old in the head when the boy approached the dog. The owner/parent admitted this dog had regularly been teased and harassed by his children.Most dog bites occur in the summer on weekends usually in the late afternoon and early evening. The breeds most frequently involved in dog bites are mixed breeds, German Shepherds, Pit bulls and mixes.2012 statistics ()38 U.S. fatal dog attacks occurred in 2012., pit bulls contributed to 61% (23) of these deaths. Pit bulls make up less than 5% of the total U.S. dog populationTogether, pit bulls (23) and rottweilers (3), the second most lethal dog breed, accounted for 68% of all fatal attacks in 2012. In the 8-year period from 2005 to 2012, this combination accounted for 73% (183) of the total recorded deaths (251).The breakdown between pit bulls and rottweilers is substantial over this 8-year period. From 2005 to 2012, pit bulls killed 151 Americans, about one citizen every 19 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 32, about one citizen every 91 days.Annual data from 2012 shows that 50% (19) of the victims were adults, 21-years and older, and the other half were children, ages 8-years and younger. Of the total children killed by dogs in 2012, 79% (15) were ages 2-years and younger.Annual data also shows that males were more often victims, 61% (23), than females. The majority of male victims, 61% (14), were ages 8-years and younger. Of the total female victims, only 33% (5) fell into this same age group.In 2012, roughly one-third, 32% (12), of all dog bite fatality victims were either visiting or living temporarily with the dog's owner when the fatal attack occurred. Children 8-years and younger accounted for 75% (9) of these deaths.34% (13) of all fatalities in 2012 involved more than one dog; 13% (5) involved breeding on the dog owner's property either actively or in the recent past, and 5% (2) involved tethered dogs, down from 6% in 2011, 9% in 2010 and 19% in 2009.In 2012, dogs referred to as a "rescue" accounted for at least 13% (5) attacks that resulted in death. Children suffered the brunt of these attacks with 3 deaths. The adults afflicted, 2 adult females, were killed by their own pack of "rescued" dogs.Dog ownership information for 2012 shows that family dogs comprised 58% (22) of all fatal occurrences; 82% (31) of all incidents occurred on the dog owner's property and 18% (7) resulted in criminal charges, down from 29% in 2011.Irritable or Pain-Induced Aggression This type of aggression is a result of such things as injections, treatment of minor wounds, and certain manipulations which cause a certain amount of pain or discomfort. This is a commonly encounter problem in a veterinary hospital. The state of mind of the patient may have a lot to do with the aggressive outcome. It is for this reason that calming and familiarization to a patient should be practiced whenever possible.Maternal AggressionThis type of aggression occurs when a mother feels that her young are being threatened, these animals are particularly sensitive to strangers approaching their young. The sow is one animal which as a very strong maternal instinct. Care should also be taken when approaching a mare and her foal.Predatory AggressionThis type of aggression associated with hunting and stocking prey. This does not usually pose a threat to the animal handler. Although one should be aware of this when handling such animals as a sight hound which may pull you off your feet to chase a cat, rabbit or squirrel.Territorial AggressionThis type of aggression is associated with the animal natural instinct to protect their home. Dogs may be particularly territorial of the yards and family, which should be considered when making house calls. Large animals may be territorial over areas of the corral or feed managers.The female rabbit is extremely territorial in captivity, if breeding the doe should always be taken to the buck for mating to prevent injury.Fear-Induced AggressionOccurs when an animal is fearful of its environment or the people around it, and it feels it cannot avoid the situation.Fear biting is the most commonly encountered type of attack in a veterinary practice. An animal which is apt to fear bite generally will show the classic signs of intimidation: (1) avoiding direct eye contact with the head down, (2) lips may be pulled back horizontally, (3) ears flattened, (4) tail between the legs and (5) perhaps emitting a low growl.Care must be taken around these kinds of animals because if you enter their personal space a sudden attack may result. This type of attack is generally confined to the offered hand or forearm.Intermale AggressionThis occurs between males and can be a problem when two intact male come in contact with each other. This is a common problem when animals are kept at a stud. Care should always be taken when handling these animals, especially if dealing with boars (pigs).Sexually Induced AggressionThis occurs when there are female animals which are in estrus present. It may be fighting between two males for the breeding rights or it may be between male and female, when the female is not yet ready to stand for the male.Dominance AggressionThis occurs when an animal has established a pecking order or a hierarchy in the family or group. Leadership or dominance should be established by the owner as a result of providing food shelter, play and companionship, exercise and authority. However, certain animals may establish dominance over family other animals and stranger. Such animals are very dangerous and a menace in the clinic, as they will not merely fear bite they will attack. With these types of animals sound restraint procedures must be used from the start (ALWAYS PROTECT YOURSELF FIRST AND USE WHAT EVER MEANS NECESSARY, FOR EXAMPLE: MUZZLES, TRANQUILIZERS, ROPES, ETC.).Veterinary personal need to be aware of what is termed the "CLINICAL STARE” this can be interrupted by some animals (especially dogs) as a dominance challenge. Learned AggressionThis occurs when the animal has apparently learned to control a situation using aggressive techniques.Redirected AggressionThis occurs when an animal becomes agitated enough to lash out, but for some reason cannot, it will lash out at the first available opportunity. Cat/dog vocalizes at an animal outside --the owner’s pets the animal and it bites or scratches.Play AggressionBiting, nipping, scratching etc which is a result of playing.Social Status AggressionDue to the lack of human contact. Typical behavior found in kittens with little human socialization (Feral cats)Possessive AggressionFound with animals hoarding or guarding objects like food bowls and toys. They haven’t learned how to “share”.Food-Related AggressionAnimals will become aggressive during feeding time. They won’t allow other animals near the food bowl. They won’t allow anyone to take the food away.Idiopathic AggressionNo known cause for the aggression. Some of these animals after attempting therapy may have to be euthanized to protect owner and the people around them. Other Types of Common Behaviors1. CoprophagiaCan be normal in animals. It does not indicate an animal is missing something in their diet. Some animals will eat their own feces to put back nutrients lost in the feces (example: rabbit night time droppings).2. Attention Seeking BehaviorBehaviors that attempt to get information about the environment and/or outcome. Inconsistent environment or interaction can be triggers for this behavior.3. Compulsive DisordersThis can be a result in excessive vocalization, spinning, tail chasing, self-mutilation, hallucinating, circling, fence running, pacing, and licking. This can be a result of boredom or an initial injury.4. Cognitive DysfunctionAge related behaviors. This could be memory loss, eliminating problems, sleep disorders, and the ability to move around.TYPICAL BEHAVIOR OF DOMESTIC ANIMAL IN AGGRESSION AND AVOIDANCEHerd oriented animals are followers. They will follow each other as a group. If the group is rushed or forced to move rapidly it can result in the animals darting in every direction. To move a herd, you must slowly move them together as a group into a smaller area before separating them out.I. HorsesFree range horses spend 60% of their day eating, 20% walking, 20% misc.Stalled horses spend 15% of their day eating, 65% standing, 20% misc.Horses are social animals. They are termed Harem Breeders. They will live in large to small herds with 1 stallion and the rest are mares and their offspring. The stallion is the protector. The young males are kicked out of the herd as they approach sexual maturity and become a harem of “bachelors” looking for their own herds.Blatant aggressive behavior is not common in the horse, but some individual animals can be very nasty and unpredictable. Animals to be aware of are (1) mares with foals, (2) stallions, and (3) stallions with brood mares.When approaching a horse certain precautions must be exercised and signs watched for. Never approach a horse so you suddenly appear out of their blind spot, never surprise a horse always speak to them first.When approaching the horse watch for clues as to how it will react. When a horse detects a new object or person in its environment, it will raise its head to observe. If the horse is satisfied there is no threat it will resume its previous activity. If the horse is nervous it will: (1) turn and face the object or person, (2) raise its neck, (3) focus it ears and dilate its nostrils, (4) the tail will elevate and the legs will be tense and ready to move, and (5) occasionally the horse will "nicker" or "snort" If one approaches further and the animal feels threatened it may blow air loudly through its nostrils and turn and bolt. If the animal has no room to bolt it may then resort to aggressive behavior such as kicking and charging.Typical aggression is lunging forward and biting, kicking with either hind legs or both, or by striking with the forelegs (rearing).Common problems referred to Veterinarians: Aggression toward other horses or human33% Fear14% Foal rejection12% Procedure aversion10% Compulsive disorders 5%Common behavioral problems Cribbing (grabbing a solid object and sucking in air), Wind sucking (doesn’t hold onto a fixed object before sucking in air): causes can include horses stabled or confined that are anxious, stressed, or bored. Can be pleasurable and send endorphins to the horse. Wood chewing: can be a result of low roughage in the diet or boredomTrailering: Many horses that are difficult to load have come to associate fear, pain, or injury with the procedure. Trailer characteristics that may elicit fear include interior darkness, hollow sounds of hooves on the ramp, instability of the ramp and vehicle.Stall Walking: separation anxiety or claustrophobiaWeaving: Movement of the head, neck, forequarters and hindquarters. Social partner or feeding interaction can be helpful diversions.Aggression: causes could be fear-induced, dominance, intermale, and pain-inducedPawing: most common during pre-feeding and feeding.II. CattleBehavior patterns in cattle will vary depending on how much human contact these animals have had. The flight or fight distance will vary greatly. Dairy cows tend to have a very short flight distance whereas beef cattle raised on pastures have a very large flight distance.Regardless of how much contact the animals have had your primary concerns should be the bulls and possible cows with a calf at their side (although this seems to be related to breed and socialization).When dealing with bulls they should always be considered potentially dangerous, particularly the dairy bulls. Aggressive behavior is characterized by: (1) pawing the ground with the forefeet, (2) the head will be positioned with the forehead almost vertical to the ground, and (3) snorting.After a bull has charged and knocked its victim down it may continue to toss the victim or attempt to kneel on them.Cattle are generally easier to capture than horses. Most domestic cattle have their natural avoidance bred out of them and they tend to be very curious. They may stand and just watch as someone approaches, but they are unpredictable in the fact that they may then just suddenly bolt are run. Cattle are less discriminating than horses about what or whom the step on or run into. Cattle should not be herding into areas with very weak barriers or fences. Cattle are also very herd oriented so they will crowd and bunch together even to the point of climbing on others' backs.When moving cattle try to keep them at a walk but force them to move away from you before you get to close using body extension (canes, staffs, or stock whips, or even on horseback)III. CalvesThe baby calf tends to be very inquisitive and will be very attentive with its head outstretched towards as it checks you out. If your move suddenly the calf may panic and run away, but if you approach quietly and unhurried the calf will turn slowly to avoid you. It is best to simply try and maneuver the calf into a corner. Try to cause the least amount of trauma possible because these young animals will remember rough handling.IV. PigsPigs can be very aggressive animals resulting in serious injury. Always make sure you have an escape route when entering a pen. Aggression in pigs can be reduced by having ample space and\or providing distractions (toys: tires, rubber balls, rooting areas).Aggressive behavior in pigs is exhibited by jaw snapping, barking grunts and swinging the head from side to side. The swinging head is very dangerous when working with boars because they have very sharp and long canines or tusks. If two boars are fighting a solid panel or plywood should be inserted between them never place your body or body parts between them.Sows with unweaned piglets are also very dangerous because they have very strong maternal instincts. When handling the piglets always remove sow to a secure area where she can't hear.Young pigs have a strong avoidance behavior in confined spaces and will generally run to one owner and huddle together. If kept calm pigs in the open will generally move as a herd quite well. Remember, pigs do not have sweat glands and can easily be overheated.IV. SheepTend to be gregarious (social) animals although this tends to be breed influenced. Generally, white faced wool breeds exhibit more flocking instincts than the other breeds which are more solitary. When they are approached they will bunch together and move together. Sheep have a strong instinct to follow the leader makes them easy to herd, but if one bolts and runs they all go. Sheep are very quick and can jump easily. When working with sheep better to keep them quite.Sheep depend heavily on their vision, and lighting conditions can influence their behavior. Sheep have a tendency to move toward light. Harsh contrasts of light and dark in handling facilities can cause sheep to balk. A single shadow that falls across an area may cause the animal to balk and refuse to cross it. Sheep respect solid barriers, they can be easily held behind a barrier constructed from burlap.Aggression by a ram can be noted, which can lead to serious injuries from butting. Sheep generally don't bite or kick.Also sheep in hot weather with thick wool coats can be overheated easily. Rough handling and grabbing the sheep by the wool will cause bruising (bruised may cannot be used for human consumption).V. GoatsThey are also herd-oriented. Goats are less timid and more adventurous than sheep. They have been known to climb fences. Goats and sheep can be kept together.A goats main defense is the use of it horns which can result in serious injuries.VI. Llamas/AlpacasThese animals are herd-oriented and can be stressed easily if rushed. Depending on their socialization, alpacas can be more timid compared to the llamas. Their main defenses include spitting and kicking with their back legs. Both llamas and alpacas are subject to stress and can become septic due to stress. Ear positioning conveys important social information. The ears of a content alpaca are in a vertical position and turned forward. In the alarmed animal, the ears are cocked forward. The degree of aggressive behavior is signaled by ears positioned from barely behind the vertical to flatten on the neck.Tail position in the content llama/alpaca lie flat and against the perineum. If the animal is alarmed, the tail rises to horizontal. Intense, aggressive behavior is signaled when the tail is elevated to the vertical. The higher the tail, the more aggressive the behavior.Submissive behavior is exhibited by curving the tail forward over the back, the head and neck held low, the ears in a normal horizontal position and the front limbs slightly bent. “Humming” noises are used between mom and her cria or when an alpaca comes back into the flock from being gone. A snort or clicking sound indicates mild aggression. Screaming indicates fear. A gurgling noise indicates annoyance or aggression followed by spitting.Male dominance aggression is seen with llamas biting, charging, chest butting, and striking. Llamas/alpacas usually cow kick with their back legs.VII. DogsThey establish pecking orders with their family or group. Canine aggression can be a response to an anxiety-provoking situation. It is important to distinguish between dominance vs submission in a conflict. Dominance:1. a fixed stare ("clinical stare")2. ears raised and angled forward3. front of body held high and the hair on the neck is raised4. tail raised5. lips curled revealing the canines and incisorsSubmission:1. lowering front end2. avoiding direct eye contact3. tail between legs4. squat, urinated and defecate5. may lie down on side or back exposing bellyDefensive or intimidated stance:1. lower front end and head2. ears back3. lips pulled by in a "grin"4. tail between legs - will bite if you encroach on its personal spaceAnxiety causes apprehension and anticipation of future danger or misfortune. Tension results in the dog scanning and increased motor activity.Fear in dogs results in flight or escape response. Physiological response causes increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, urination, defecation, anal sac expression and salivation. Inter-dog aggression is common with a younger dog trying to “upstart” an older dog in the household. Younger dog is growing up socially when the older dog wants him out and takes it as a challenge. The older dog becomes a “bully”.Predatory aggression results in staring, salivating, stalking, lunging, freezing, and quiet behaviors. Most common dog behavior problems according to owners:1. Jumping5. Digging2. Barking6. Chewing3. Begging for food7. Fear of horses4. Jumping on furniture8. OverprotectiveMost common dog behavior problems seen at a referral practice:1. Aggression5. Barking2. Inappropriate elimination6. Fears/phobias3. Destructive behavior7. Excessive submission4. Excitability8. CompulsiveCommon behavioral problems1. Separation AnxietyUsually manifested by destructive behavior, house-soiling, and/or excessive vocalization when left alone.The goal is to decrease the anxiety the dog experiences when left alone. If possible, divide the process of departing in a series of small segments. Chemical medication can also be used to assist with treatment.2. House-soilingReasons for house soiling include separation anxiety, fears, attention getting, submission/excitement, parasites, urine tract infection, or improper house-training.The goal is to differentiate between house-soiling and territorial marking. If the answer to the questions below are yes, then it is territorial:a. Does the urination occur in association with environmental changes?b. Does the urination occur soon after the dog comes in from outside or after contact with other dogs?c. Defecation is not occurring.d. Small amounts of urine in several different areas.VIII. CatsThe queen is usually the head of the family or group while the male branches off. The queen cooperatively rears young in a group setting. Midwifes guard, groom, and provide communal nesting.Allogrooming: grooming areas that are hard to get to by themselvesAllorubbing: occurs after a cat returns from being gone for a period of time; exchange of scent; tail used as a social contact; tail up = friendly greeting2-7 weeks of age is the time period for the most sensitive learning period for cats. 3 months is the peak for social play. Classification of common cat behavior problems:57.3 % are related to stressful environments19.7% are related to medical causes12.9% are related to improper socialization10.1% are related to normal or genetic causesPlay aggression can occur at any age, but most commonly begins in healthy young adults, approximately 1-2 year of age due to moving stimuli. The attacker may hide in wait behind a barrier, intensely focused, and with its tail twitching. The cat does not exhibit dominance posture toward the victim. Vigorous play aggression is normal behavior in cats. For play aggression, provide acceptable means of play while punishing unacceptable play.Fear aggressor will attempt to avoid the person or persons it is afraid of, but when cornered will become quite aggressive. Ears will be turned back, and the tail and body will be lowered, but the teeth will be displayed and hissing or growling may occur. This aggression is usually a conditioning response due to poor socialization or feral. Behavior modification consists of progressive desensitization (use play techniques or food rewards) and counter-conditioning (response that is opposite of fear). Anxiety medication may be used.Pet induced aggression, the cat will not approach the victim to attack, and does not generally actively avoid people, as the fear aggressor does. Instead, it becomes aggressive at some point after it has been petted for a while. In normal allogrooming in cats, cats primarily groom each other’s heads and necks. Also, while cats may allogroom for 2-3 minutes, allogrooming does not typically go on for five or ten minutes, as sometimes happens when human are petting cats. In all cases, cats signal their intensifying arousal and productivity for biting, e.g. by twitching the tail, the skin or growling. The eyes may also dilate. Dominance-motivated aggression, the cat displays species-specific dominance signaling to one or more persons, including ears stiffly erect and rotated laterally, base of tail held away from the body with the remainder of drooping, and approaches with stiffly extended limbs. Cats with this type of aggression may attempt to keep people away from preferred resources, such as food or favorite resting spots. Medications may be beneficial or punishment for the active aggression.Only males exhibit sexual aggression. The cat will mount a person’s arm or ankle, grab the skin with its teeth and initiate pelvic thrusting. Redirected aggression only occurs when a human attempts to handle a cat that is aroused by something unrelated to the person. The human is not the primary cause of the aggression, but is the victim of it because they attempt to handle the aroused cat.Human directed aggression is usually caused by one of the following:1. Play2. Fear3. Petting Induced4. Status related5. Redirected6. SexualMost common behavior problems seen in indoor cats:1. Anexiety4. Aggression2. Scratching furniture5. Inappropriate urination3. Feeding problems6. Inappropriate defecationMost common problems leading to shelter surrender:1. Fearfulness3. Elilmination2. Scratching4. AggressionCommon behavior problems 1. House-soilingCommon causes are surface preference, location preference, number of cats, litterbox and/or an aversion to or fear of the litterbox. 2. SprayingTerritorial behavior is associated with conflict and competitive or sexual. Marking behavior is emotional behavior associated with urinating on horizontal surfaces. If the cat is urinating on top of specific items this usually indicates anxiety or motivation problems.3. Aggressive behaviorsa. fearb. playc. redirectedd. territorialIX. AvianBirds spend:Grooming20-66%/dayForaging for food40-60%/dayVocalizing2-5%/daySocial Interaction10-40%/dayVision and hearing are the predominant senses in most birds. The range of vocalization in birds is extensive, and they can discriminate and identify individual songs and cries. Posturing is used to display various messages. The wing position, the head position, the eyes, and the body position all related a message. A bird with their wings out leaning back with their beak partially open indicate a threatening or scared bird. A bird with wings out, pupils getting bigger and smaller, beak open, weaving or leaning forward is aggression. Most birds have the mentality of a 2 year old.The absence of normal stressors in a safe, clean, stable environment is often the cause of behavioral problems such as feather picking. Some of the behavioral problems are exaggerated normal behaviors because of this safe mon behavioral problems1. Feather picking: when a bird starts to feather pick, rule out possible medical causes firsta. medical causes: parasites, hormones, pain, dietb. psychological causes: boredom, stress, environmental changes, sexual2. Screaming: certain breeds are commonly associated with screaming for attention – Macaws, cockatoos, conures 3. Aggression: some birds show aggression towards the same sex human or a color that a person maybe wearing (red). Birds that commonly show aggression to the same sex are Meyers and African Greys. It is common to see birds attack a partner of a married couple if they see attention or affection given between the couple. The bird feels that their “mate” is being taken away. Birds that show aggression will usually dilate and constrict pupils, sway back and forth on their perch, and spread their wings in a defensive posture.4. Height Dominance: birds at a low height are nervous and anxious. Birds at a higher level are more self-assured and become more dominant. Never allow a bird to be higher than.5. Biting: a learned behavior to elicit the response they desire. It also can be a result of fear.Behavior ModificationHands should only be associated with affection, play, or rewardsI. Terms:1. Positive reinforcement: pleasant event that immediately follows desired behavior2. Negative reinforcement: process of producing a behavior by creating an aversion to an unpleasant stimulus3. Counter conditioning: trains the animal to respond to certain stimuli with an acceptable behavior instead of its previously unacceptable response4. Desensitization: diminishment of an inappropriate behavior as a result of gradually increasing exposure to the stimuli that produces the behavior. II. Corrective Techniques:1. Direct interactive punishment: a pet performs an undesirable act in the presence of the owner and an immediate, startling reprimand or loud noise is created2. Remote interactive punishment: an application of an aversive stimuli to the pet by a person the pet cannot see3. Time out: misbehavior leads to temporary isolation and removal of awards4. Environmental: environmental rigged so that an unpleasant consequence occurs when the pet misbehavesIII. Homeopathic Treatment1. Ginko: improves cognitive dysfunction2. Kava: psychogenic alopecia in cats3. Passiflora: sedative, separation anxiety4. Valerian: travel, thunderstorm phobia, acute anxiety5. Catnip: euphoric/hallucinations in cats6. Melatonin: alopecia in dogs, anxiety/sleep disorders in catsIV. Behavioral Enrichment (Environmental enrichment)To enhance the quality of captive animal care by identifying and providing the environmental stimuli necessary for optimal psychological and physiological wellbeing. Types of enrichment:1. Sensory stimulating animals' senses: visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile, and taste.2. Feeding: making feeding more challenging. Different methods of food presentation encourage animals to investigate, manipulate and work for their food as they would in non-captive environments.3. Manipulation: providing items that can be manipulated by the paws, feet, tail, horns, head, mouth, etc. This encourages the animal to investigate and explore.4. Environmental: enhancing the animals' captive habitat with opportunities that change or add complexity to the environment.5. Social: providing the opportunity to interact with other animals 6. Training: training animals with positive reinforcement or habituation7. Puzzles: requiring an animal to solve simple problems to access food or other rewards.Animal enrichment at the Oregon Zoo: Zoo Animal Enrichment: Into The Wild (Animal Enrichment) ................
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