Evaluation of effects of olfactory and auditory stimulation on separation anxiety by salivary cortisol measurement in dogs.
10.4142/jvs.2016.17.2.153
- Author:
Yoon Joo SHIN
1
;
Nam Shik SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea. nsshin@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
cortisol;
dog;
physiology;
saliva;
separation anxiety disorder
- MeSH:
Acoustic Stimulation*;
Animals;
Anxiety, Separation*;
Clothing;
Dogs*;
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay;
Hydrocortisone*;
Odors;
Physiology;
Problem Behavior;
Saliva;
Voice
- From:Journal of Veterinary Science
2016;17(2):153-158
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Separation anxiety (SA) is a serious behavioral problem in dogs. In this study, salivary cortisol was studied to determine if the owner's odor or voice could reduce SA in dogs. Twenty-eight dogs with SA were divided into three groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (with owner's clothes during the separation period; SP) and group 3 (a recording of the owner's voice was played during SP). The dog's saliva was collected after the owner and their dog were in the experimental room for 5 min (PRE). The dog was then separated from the owner for 20 min and saliva collected four times at intervals of 5 min (SP1-4). Finally, the owner was allowed back into the room to calm the dog for 5 min, after which saliva was collected (POST). Evaluation of salivary cortisol concentrations by ELISA revealed that the ratios of SP1 concentration to PRE or POST concentrations were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 or 3. Additionally, the concentrations of SP1-PRE and SP1-POST among groups differed significantly. These findings indicate that the owner's odor or voice may be helpful to managing stress in dogs with SA.
