Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff. Группа авторов

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clinical and behavioral signs (McEntee 2002). These signs may include a painful abdomen, which may be due to ascites, pressure from the tumor on other organs, and/or discomfort if the tumor is large. The bitch may also be anorectic, appear constipated, urinate frequently, or show signs of discomfort when lying down due to the physical size of the tumor putting pressure on other organs.

      4.8.1.8 Ovarian Remnant

      Ovarian remnant syndrome occurs when some ovarian tissue is inadvertently left behind during ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy and is characterized by signs typical of an animal that still has ovarian function (Miller 1995; Ball et al. 2010). Behaviorally, signs of estrus may be seen, as mentioned previously. In addition, signs of pyometritis may be present (Ball et al. 2010).

      4.8.2 Male Canine

      4.8.2.1 Prostatic Disease

      The prostate is an accessory sex gland in the male dog. Its primary purpose is to produce fluids to transport and support sperm. It is located caudal to the bladder and generally can be palpated rectally on the pelvic floor if it is not enlarged. There are many diseases that affect the prostate, and most can result in the behavioral changes mentioned below. The most common of these diseases include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic cysts, and prostatic tumors.

      When the prostate is enlarged, regardless of etiology, its location can result in several behavioral changes. A slight increase in size may put pressure on the colon, resulting in tenesmus. This may be confused with constipation or diarrhea because the consistency of the feces may vary. As the prostate continues to enlarge, it may also put pressure on the urethra, resulting in incomplete bladder emptying. Dogs may strain to urinate, urinate frequently, or have a smaller stream of urine. They may also be uncomfortable lifting their leg to urinate, and thus may assume the typical male puppy stance for urination: standing in a sawhorse position with the hips lowered and the rear legs extended caudally. The urine may have some blood in it as well. In addition, the abdomen may be painful, causing the dog to be very uncomfortable. He may show reluctance to lie down or lie down cautiously, similar to a dog with painful joints. Depending on the etiology, if there is a discharge, the dog may lick his prepuce more often.

      4.8.2.2 Cryptorchid Testis

      4.8.2.3 Testicular Tumors

      Testicular tumors may result in scrotal, inguinal, or abdominal enlargement, depending on the location of the testes. The size of the mass and the location will dictate any behavior changes that occur. Signs may include a stilted gait with the rear legs, difficulty sitting or reluctance to sit, and discomfort lying down. If the tumor is large enough where the testicle touches the ground when sitting or lying, it may become abraded, resulting in excessive licking to the area. Likewise, if the increase in size causes discomfort, excessive licking is a likely consequence.

      Sertoli cell tumors are common in older dogs (Weaver 1983) and result in several behavioral and medical changes (Lipowitz et al. 1973). These tumors tend to secrete estrogen, so male dogs will undergo feminization. Externally, changes include mammary development, alopecia, and testicular and penile atrophy. Internally, there may be bone marrow suppression (Sherding et al. 1981). Behaviorally, Sertoli cell tumors are characterized by decreased libido and the compromised bone marrow results in an increase in infections, fever, anemia, weakness, and lethargy. These signs in a supposedly castrated male may indicate that he was a cryptorchid that was not bilaterally castrated.

      Interstitial cell tumors and seminomas also affect the testes, although their resultant change in behavior is generally related to the size of the tumor, as described earlier. Excessive licking of the perianal area (due to the development of perianal adenomas) or enlargement of the inguinal area may be associated with hormonal imbalance.

      4.8.3 Normal Sex‐Related Behaviors

      4.8.3.1 Marking

      Urine marking is a natural behavior for both male and female dogs. Intact males typically mark more than intact females (Pal 2003). Neutering males has been shown to significantly decrease marking in most males (Neilson et al. 1997). Intact and spayed females appear to mark at about the same frequency (Wirant et al. 2004). The intact male will preferentially mark over the urine of an estrus female more than any other urine (Lisberg and Snowdon 2011).

      When female dogs urine mark, they may squat, slightly elevate a rear leg while squatting, or alternate between legs while squatting. Just as leg lifting for urination can be a normal variation for female dogs, the squatting position is a normal variation of urination behavior for some male dogs. All of these are normal postures. When a urinary stance is atypical for a particular sex, it is not necessarily reflective of any disease, dysfunction, or abnormality. However, if the urinary stance is atypical for that individual, further investigation to identify underlying medical problems is indicated.

      4.8.3.2 Non‐copulatory Mounting

      4.8.3.3 Masturbation

      Masturbation is a normal behavior of both male and female, neutered, and sexually intact animals. It becomes pathological when the behavior is performed to the exclusion of other normal behaviors, such as eating, drinking, and environmental investigation. Frequent masturbation can also lead to an increased incidence of infection or trauma to the prepuce, penis, or vulva.

      4.8.4 Effects of Gonadectomy on the Behavior of Dogs

      The behavior of gonadectomized male dogs is similar to that of an anestrus female. Early studies indicated that castration of male dogs results in a reduction of sexually dimorphic behaviors, such as mounting, urine marking, roaming, and aggression directed toward other intact male dogs (Hopkins et al. 1976; Neilson et al. 1997). However, it should be noted that in these two studies the behaviors were only reduced in some dogs; none of the objectionable behaviors were completely eliminated. A more recent survey that included more than 9,000 dogs found that urine marking was the only behavior less likely to occur in the castrated dog (McGreevy et al. 2018). This study also found that behaviors relating to fear and aggression were less likely to occur the longer the dog remained

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