Husbandry & Management

Interactive feeding technique: Elicit predatory instincts in the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and grow a research colony of eaters

Xenopus laevis have a unique process for consuming food. They lack a tongue and must utilize inertial suction, jaw prehension, forearm scooping, overhead kicking, and terrestrial lunges when hunting prey. The mechanism by which Xenopus eat elicits a frenzied behavior...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Heyworth, C., Owens, D. 2019. Interactive feeding technique: Elicit predatory instincts in the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) and grow a research colony of eaters. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 7(2) (June), 52-53.

The use of synthetic grass as a novel substrate within veterinary practice canine inpatient elimination enclosures

Dogs form toileting preferences that may influence canine elimination behaviors. This study aimed to assess the effect of providing a novel substrate (synthetic grass) on indices of canine willingness to eliminate, plus associated behavioral parameters. At a veterinary hospital, an...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Buckley, L. A., Whalley, C. 2019. The use of synthetic grass as a novel substrate within veterinary practice canine inpatient elimination enclosures. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 34, 42-51.

Non-lethal sex identification of sea urchins: Method and advantages

A simple method for sex determination can reduce the number of sea urchins used in the lab and help to optimize experimental design. Our new methodology developed with Paracentrotus lividus is simple and inexpensive, requiring only a syringe and a...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Invertebrate, Other Invertebrate

Citation: Paredes, E., Costas, D. 2020. Non-lethal sex identification of sea urchins: Method and advantages. Lab Animal 49(1), 7–8.

Potential role for selenium in the pathophysiology of crib-biting behavior in horses

Crib-biting is a repetitive and compulsive behavior that is characterized by “grasping a fixed object with incisor teeth and aspirating air with an audible grunt.” Little is known about etiology and pathophysiology of crib-biting behavior in horses. Previously, we have...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Omidi, A., Jafari, R., Nazifi, S. et al. 2018. Potential role for selenium in the pathophysiology of crib-biting behavior in horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 23, 10-14.

Pilot study evaluating the effect of feeding method on overall activity of neutered indoor pet cats

Indoor housing of cats is associated with a higher incidence of multiple diseases, including obesity. Increased exercise is often recommended as a method of creating or increasing the negative energy balance required for weight loss. Food-dispensing toys have been suggested...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Naik, R., Witzel, A., Albright, J. D. et al. 2018. Pilot study evaluating the effect of feeding method on overall activity of neutered indoor pet cats. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 25, 9-13.

Field assessment of cats’ litter box substrate preferences

Cats living inside a home without any possibility of outdoor access have to defecate in a litter box. To suit the cats' needs, several recommendations seem to be agreed upon. The litter box has to be clean and in a...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Villeneuve-Beugnet, V., Beugnet, F. 2018. Field assessment of cats' litter box substrate preferences. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 25, 65-70.

The effects of dog-appeasing pheromone spray upon canine vocalizations and stress-related behaviors in a rescue shelter

Exposure to dog-appeasing pheromones (DAPs) has been suggested to reduce stress-related behaviors in dogs; however, the effects of DAP administered using a portable, rapid use spray has not received as much attention as the plug-in format. The aim of the...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Hermiston, C., Montrose, V. T., Taylor, S. 2018. The effects of dog-appeasing pheromone spray upon canine vocalizations and stress-related behaviors in a rescue shelter. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 26, 11-16.

Use of beds by laboratory beagles

Comfortable resting areas for laboratory dogs have been recommended by many authors and by the European Directive 2010/63/EU. They are particularly important for geriatric dogs for age- and health-related reasons. Systematic research in this area has not been done. Therefore,...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Döring, D., Backofen, I., Schmidt, J. et al. 2018. Use of beds by laboratory beagles. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 28, 6-10.

Nutrient intake, feeding patterns, and abnormal behavior of growing bulls fed different concentrate levels and a single fiber source (corn stover silage)

Twenty-eight bulls weighing 227 ± 6.8 (SD) kg were randomly assigned to four concentrate levels (1-1.5 kg [low level of concentrate {LC}], 1.5-2 kg [medium level of concentrate], 2-2.5 kg [high level of concentrate {HC}], and 2.5-3 kg [highest level...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: ur Rahman, M. A., Xia, C., Ji, L. et al. 2019. Nutrient intake, feeding patterns, and abnormal behavior of growing bulls fed different concentrate levels and a single fiber source (corn stover silage). Journal of Veterinary Behavior 33, 46-53.

Effect of bedding for reducing the postshearing stress in sheep

Shearing of sheep is routine management. However, the shearing induces stress in the animal. To reduce the postshearing stress, providing bedding may be an effective method. Therefore, the present study was initiated to assess the effect of bedding for reducing...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: De, K., Kumar, D., Mohapatra, A. et al. 2019. Effect of bedding for reducing the postshearing stress in sheep. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 33, 27-30.