Browsing by Author "Argüelles Baquero, Juan Carlos"

El presente texto tiene como objetivo discutir los resultados de un estudio previo llevado a cabo sobre los efectos del estado de alarma por la COVID-19 en España sobre las personas, sus perros y sus gatos. Ayuda a comprender el apoyo que la gente obtiene de sus animales, sobre todo en momentos difíciles, y cómo el vínculo con los animales puede sustituir algunos aspectos de las relaciones humanas que podrían verse comprometidos durante una pandemia, como la compañía y el contacto físico. También se valora el efecto del confinamiento en los centros de acogida de animales de compañía. Estos resultados pueden ayudar a desarrollar intervenciones sanitarias que aprovechen el valor como capital social de la convivencia con animales de compañía. / This paper aims to discuss the results of a previous study that looked at the effects of the COVID-19 confinement on people and their dogs and cats. It helps us to understand the support that people get from their animals, particularly at difficult times, and how the human-animal bond can compensate for certain aspects of human relationships that become compromised during a pandemic, such as companionship and physical contact. It also evaluates the effect of confinement on Spanish Animal Shelters. Our findings suggest ways in which public health interventions can take advantage of pets as a valuable source of social capital.

Introduction: Transport to the clinic is a major source of stress for cats. The process involves being put into a carrier, driven in a car and handled. Cats are therefore removed from the safe-haven of their territory and experience many stressful stimuli and interactions. Methods: In the present study, 31 cats were transported to the clinic following a low-stress transport protocol and compared with a control group of 36 cats whose owners did not follow the protocol. This protocol involved preparing a cat carrier basket with F3 pheromone and keeping it covered and stable during the car journey from the home to the clinic. Pre-anaesthesia information was recorded for cardiac rate, respiratory rate, tolerance to handling, time for sedation to be achieved and dose of propofol required for induction and endotracheal intubation. Results: The group exposed to the low-stress transport protocol took less time to reach sedation and needed a lower dose of propofol for induction than the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that, in cats, pre-anaesthetic and induction requirements are influenced by lower-stress transport and handling.

Background:Canine behaviour problems seen by speciality behaviouralmedicine services often involve chronic anxiety disorders that have resultedin maladaptation of the individual to its environment. Common stressorsinclude the presence of other individuals (other dogs or people), noise andbeing alone. The treatment of these behavioural problems usually includesa combination of behaviour modification, environmental modification andbiological therapies. Within the latter, anxiolytic drugs such as clomipramineor fluoxetine have proven useful.Methods:Here, we present a retrospectively analysed series of 32 cases thatwere treated with the anxiolytic drug mirtazapine, which is widely used inhuman medicine but has not previously been reported for the treatment ofbehavioural problems in dogs (although it is marketed as an appetite stimu-lant in cats). Cases included dogs with a range of anxiety-related behaviouralproblems.Results:Eighty-one percent of dogs that presented with a behavioural prob-lem showed improvement and suspected adverse effects were mild andtolerable.Limitations:Further studies are required to isolate this result from the othertherapeutic measures and to compare its efficacy with other drugs.Conclusion:Mirtazapine appears to be a suitable and safe option for thetreatment of anxiety-related behavioural problems in dogs.