• Home
• Archive
• Rules for Authors
• Policies on Conflict of Interest, Human and animal rights, and Informed Consent
• Peer reviewering policy
• Editorial Board
• Certificate
• Editorial Ethics
• Contacts

Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety

Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2024, Pages 17–21

ISSN 2411-3174 (print version) ISSN 2411-0388 (online version)

ANALYSIS OF KEY INDICATORS OF CHRONIC STRESS IN CATS AND DOGS

Prykhodchenko V. O., Hladka N. I., Denysova O. M., Moiseienko Yu. O., Yakymenko T. I., Zhukova I. O., Zhegunov G. F.

State Biotechnological University, Kharkiv, Ukraine, e-mail: vita.prihodchenko@ukr.net

Download PDF (print version)

Citation for print version: Prykhodchenko, V. O., Hladka, N. I., Denysova, O. M., Moiseienko, Yu. O., Yakymenko, T. I., Zhukova, I. O. and Zhegunov, G. F. (2024) ‘Analysis of key indicators of chronic stress in cats and dogs’, Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety, 10(3), pp. 17–21.

Download PDF (online version)

Citation for online version: Prykhodchenko, V. O., Hladka, N. I., Denysova, O. M., Moiseienko, Yu. O., Yakymenko, T. I., Zhukova, I. O. and Zhegunov, G. F. (2024) ‘Analysis of key indicators of chronic stress in cats and dogs’, Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety. [Online] 10(3), pp. 17–21. DOI: 10.36016/JVMBBS-2024-10-3-3.

Summary. Stress is an integral part of the life of every organism. This issue has become especially important now, during wartime, when stress affects both humans and animals. Military events have led to unprecedented changes in the lives of both humans and animals, affecting their daily routines, social interactions, and stress levels. The study was conducted on 12 dogs and 14 cats. The effects of stressors on cortisol, glucose, total leukocytes, and eosinophils levels were shown. The study’s results show that during chronic stress, the studied animals showed an increase in cortisol and glucose levels, indicating increased stress in these animals in response to changes in their daily lives.  Total leukocyte counts in dogs and cats were also higher than reference levels, indicating an immediate activation of the immune system in response to stressors. The differential response of eosinophils in animals underscores the complexity of the immune system’s response to stress. Dogs, as social animals, may experience more pronounced immune modulation in response to stressors, potentially making them more sensitive to fluctuations in immune cell numbers. The study revealed important behavioral changes in dogs and cats. Behavioral manifestations are the most visible indicators of an animal’s emotional well-being. Changes in behavior, including anxiety, hiding, vocalization, and altered social interactions, may reflect the emotional and psychological effects of stress. Our findings underscore the importance of considering individualized strategies for managing animal welfare in emergencies

Keywords: cortisol, glucose, leukocytes, war zone

References:

Alho, A. M., Pontes, J. and Pomba, C. (2016) ‘Guardians’ knowledge and husbandry practices of feline environmental enrichment’, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 19(2), pp. 115–125. doi: 10.1080/10888705.2015.1117976.

Amat, M., Camps, T. and Manteca, X. (2016) ‘Stress in owned cats: Behavioural changes and welfare implications’, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 18(8), pp. 577–586. doi: 10.1177/1098612X15590867.

Beerda, B., Schilder, M. B. H., Van Hooff, J. A. R. A. M., De Vries, H. W. and Mol, J. A. (1999) ‘Chronic stress in dogs subjected to social and spatial restriction. I. Behavioral responses’, Physiology & Behavior, 66(2), pp. 233–242. doi: 10.1016/S0031-9384(98)00289-3.

Brooks, H. L., Rushton, K., Lovell, K., Bee, P., Walker, L., Grant, L. and Rogers, A. (2018) ‘The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence’, BMC Psychiatry, 18(1), p. 31. doi: 10.1186/s12888-018-1613-2.

Chmelíková, E., Bolechová, P., Chaloupková, H., Svobodová, I., Jovičić, M. and Sedmíková, M. (2020) ‘Salivary cortisol as a marker of acute stress in dogs: a review’, Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 72, p. 106428. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2019.106428.

Feldsien, J. D., Wilke, V. L., Evans, R. B. and Conzemius, M. G. (2010) ‘Serum cortisol concentration and force plate analysis in the assessment of pain associated with sodium urate-induced acute synovitis in dogs’, American Journal of Veterinary Research, 71(8), pp. 940–945. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.71.8.940.

Grigg, E. K. and Kogan, L. R. (2019) ‘Owners’ attitudes, knowledge, and care practices: Exploring the implications for domestic cat behavior and welfare in the home’, Animals, 9(11), p. 978. doi: 10.3390/ani9110978.

Kooriyama, T. and Ogata, N. (2021) ‘Salivary stress markers in dogs: Potential markers of acute stress’, Research in Veterinary Science, 141, pp. 48–55. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.10.009.

Markovszky, A. K., Weber, C., Biksi, O., Danes, M., Dumitrescu, E., Muselin, F., Tufarelli, V., Puvača, N. and Cristina, R. T. (2020) ‘Is ECLIA serum cortisol concentration measurement, an accurate indicator of pain severity in dogs with locomotor pain?’, Animals, 10(11), p. 2036. doi: 10.3390/ani10112036.

Nagaraja, A. S., Sadaoui, N. C., Dorniak, P. L., Lutgendorf, S. K. and Sood, A. K. (2016) ‘SnapShot: Stress and disease’, Cell Metabolism, 23(2), pp. 388–388.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.01.015.

Nedosiekov, V. V., Blakha, T., Sytiuk, M. P., Martyniuk, O. H., Melnyk, V. V. and Yustyniuk, V. Ye. (2021) Basics of Biosecurity and Animal Welfare [Osnovy biobezpeky ta blahopoluchchia tvaryn]. Nizhyn; Kyiv: Lysenko M. M. ISBN 9786176405238. [in Ukrainian].

Nenadovic, K., Vucinic, M., Radenkovic-Damnjanovic, B., Jankovic, L., Teodorovic, R., Voslarova, E. and Becskei, Z. (2017) ‘Cortisol concentration, pain and sedation scale in free roaming dogs treated with carprofen after ovariohysterectomy’, Veterinary World, 10(8), pp. 888–894. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.888-894.

Part, C. E., Kiddie, J. L., Hayes, W. A., Mills, D. S., Neville, R. F., Morton, D. B. and Collins, L. M. (2014) ‘Physiological, physical and behavioural changes in dogs (Canis familiaris) when kennelled: Testing the validity of stress parameters’, Physiology & Behavior, 133, pp. 260–271. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.05.018.

Pizzino, G., Irrera, N., Cucinotta, M., Pallio, G., Mannino, F., Arcoraci, V., Squadrito, F., Altavilla, D. and Bitto, A. (2017) ‘Oxidative stress: Harms and benefits for human health’, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2017(1), p. 8416763. doi: 10.1155/2017/8416763.

Rom, O. and Reznick, A. Z. (2015) ‘The stress reaction: A historical perspective’, in Pokorski, M. (ed.) Respiratory Contagion. Cham: Springer (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 905), pp. 1–4. doi: 10.1007/5584_2015_195.

Salgirli Demirbas, Y., Isparta, S., Saral, B., Keskin Yılmaz, N., Adıay, D., Matsui, H., Töre-Yargın, G., Musa, S. A., Atilgan, D., Öztürk, H., Kul, B. C., Şafak, C. E., Ocklenburg, S. and Güntürkün, O. (2023) ‘Acute and chronic stress alter behavioral laterality in dogs’, Scientific Reports, 13(1), p. 4092. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-31213-7.

Stella, J. L. and Croney, C. C. (2016) ‘Environmental aspects of domestic cat care and management: implications for cat welfare’, The Scientific World Journal, 2016, pp. 1–7. doi: 10.1155/2016/6296315.

Viena, T. D., Banks, J. B., Barbu, I. M., Schulman, A. H. and Tartar, J. L. (2012) ‘Differential effects of mild chronic stress on cortisol and S-IgA responses to an acute stressor’, Biological Psychology, 91(2), pp. 307–311. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2012.08.003.

Westropp, J. L., Kass, P. H. and Buffington, C. A. T. (2006) ‘Evaluation of the effects of stress in cats with idiopathic cystitis’, American Journal of Veterinary Research, 67(4), pp. 731–736. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.67.4.731.