Publications

A scoping review on salivary oxytocin and vasopressin measurement in the dog

Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are attracting interest as potential measures for dog welfare and human-dog interactions. The potential for detection and measurement of these two neuropeptides in canine saliva provides a viable alternative to more invasive collection methods. This...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: De Santis, M., Soncin, M., Bertazzo, V. et al. 2025. A scoping review on salivary oxytocin and vasopressin measurement in the dog. Animals 15(16), 2421.

Impact of different controlled temperature and humidity conditions on the behaviour, posture and spatial needs in fattening rabbits

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of thermal conditions on the posture and behaviour of fattening rabbits and to determine the minimum space allowance and height required in a transport container to allow for thermoregulatory behaviours. Thirty-six rabbits (2.27...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Contreras-Jodar, A., Dalmau, A., Bagaria, M. et al. 2025. Impact of different controlled temperature and humidity conditions on the behaviour, posture and spatial needs in fattening rabbits. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Effect of space allowance and transport container height on the welfare of fattening rabbits under different environmental thermal conditions

This study evaluated the combined effects of container space allowance, height, and ambient thermal conditions on the welfare of fattening rabbits during simulated transport. Nine hundred rabbits were exposed to three space allowances (121, 150, and 191 cm2/kg; S121, S150,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Contreras-Jodar, A., Dalmau, A., Bagaria, M. et al. 2025. Effect of space allowance and transport container height on the welfare of fattening rabbits under different environmental thermal conditions. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Findings and refinements from a decade of applying the Cetacean Welfare Assessment (“C-Well”) to multiple species on public display

Zoo animal welfare assessments can be applied to multi-species risk evaluations to species-specific, animal-based protocols. The latter are more difficult to develop and implement due to time-intensive data collection and difficulties with standardisation. The Cetacean Welfare Assessment (C-Well) was published...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Marine Mammal

Citation: Clegg, I., Schultz, R. 2025. Findings and refinements from a decade of applying the Cetacean Welfare Assessment (“C-Well”) to multiple species on public display. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 13(3), 173–185.

Effect of different infrared basking lamps on the heating effectiveness and desiccation of gelatine models: Implications for zoo animal husbandry

Artificial heating via lamp technology is a key feature of the husbandry of many captive animals, especially ectotherms. Short wave infrared (IRA) is theoretically more efficient in raising animal core temperature than medium (IRB) and long wave infrared (IRC) as...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Lizard, Reptile, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Choi, S. Y., Michaels, C. J., Free, D. et al. 2025. Effect of different infrared basking lamps on the heating effectiveness and desiccation of gelatine models: Implications for zoo animal husbandry. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 13(3), 164–172.

Reducing hormonal inputs in rabbit reproduction: Physical ovulation induction with a 3D-printed cannula

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 3D-printed cannula in inducing ovulation in female rabbits without exogenous GnRH analogues. A total of 325 inseminations were performed across different physiological stages: nulliparous, multiparous lactating, and multiparous non-lactating does. Two insemination methods...

Year Published: 2025Topics: ReproductionAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Castillo, J. J., Vicente, J. S., Marco-Jiménez, F. et al. 2025. Reducing hormonal inputs in rabbit reproduction: Physical ovulation induction with a 3D-printed cannula. Animals 15(17), 2544.

Behavioral and spatial analysis of a Symphalangus syndactylus pair in a controlled environment

For the effective management of captive animals, monitoring their behavior and interactions within the exhibit is essential. This approach provides insights into their welfare and helps identify behavioral differences compared to conspecifics in the wild. This ex situ study aimed...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Gibbon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Carpino, C., Castiglioni, R., Sacchet, E. et al. 2025. Behavioral and spatial analysis of a Symphalangus syndactylus pair in a controlled environment. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 6(2), 23.

Rat boredom-like behaviour in a monotonous versus a varied foraging task: Effects of sensory variation

Evidence increasingly reveals that non-human animals in monotonous situations can show boredom-like states, distinctively manifesting as increases in both arousal-seeking, restless behaviour and low arousal, drowsy behaviour. However, task related boredom has been little investigated in animals, but could have...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Burn, C. C., Ng, K. H. T., Parker, M. O. 2025. Rat boredom-like behaviour in a monotonous versus a varied foraging task: Effects of sensory variation. Animal Cognition 28(1), 57.

Physiological and behavioral responses of stabled horses (Equus caballus) to three types of environmental enrichment

Small stalls and regulated feedings restrict horses’ natural foraging and locomotion, increasing risks to welfare. Environmental enrichment may promote more naturalistic behavioral time budgets, yet little is known about how enrichment type or timing affects physiology and behavior. This study...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Brauns, M., Ali, A., Berger, J. et al. 2025. Physiological and behavioral responses of stabled horses (Equus caballus) to three types of environmental enrichment. Animals 15(19), 2779.

Optimizing equine standing sedation: Continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the sedation quality and cardiorespiratory and behavioral effects of detomidine administered intravenously, either in intermittent boluses or as a continuous rate infusion, with butorphanol in horses pre-medicated with acepromazine for odontoplasty procedures.MethodsA prospective clinical study...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Arantes, J. de A., Rabelo, I. P., Bermudes, L. et al. 2025. Optimizing equine standing sedation: Continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.