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Dudley Thesis.pdf (826.35 KB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
White Blood Cell Counts, Parasite Prevalence, and Plasma Cortisol Levels of Dogs in a County Animal Shelter: Changes over Days and Impact of a Program of Repeated Human Interaction
Author Info
Dudley, Emily S.
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1403217853
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2014, Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, Microbiology and Immunology.
Abstract
Animal shelter housing is highly stressful for a dog, compromising welfare and leading to undesirable behaviors and unknown health consequences. We documented the changes in circulating numbers of white blood cells, plasma cortisol, and fecal parasite shedding of dogs housed for 10 days at a county animal shelter. White blood cell changes were most prominent on Day 10 after arrival to the shelter. Changes included increased total leukocytes, mature neutrophils, and lymphocytes, with less consistent increases in monocytes and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N:L). Fecal parasite shedding was elevated and not affected by day. Cortisol levels of shelter dogs declined over time, and when compared with dogs living in stable home environments were higher on all days measured (1, 3, and 10). Total leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and N:L were also higher in shelter dogs than control dogs. Petting sessions of 30 minutes daily for 10 days reduced the cortisol of shelter dogs, but did not have an effect on white blood cells or parasite shedding. This study documents high rates of parasitic infection, large and increasing immunological responses, and plasma cortisol elevations of dogs in an animal shelter. Increasing opportunities for daily interaction with caregivers is likely to improve the welfare of shelter dogs, but additional research must be done to identify potential health benefits.
Committee
Michael Hennessy, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Nancy Bigley, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Cheryl Conley, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Pages
42 p.
Subject Headings
Animals
;
Welfare
Keywords
animal shelter
;
stress
;
cortisol
;
immune
;
parasites
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Citations
Dudley, E. S. (2014).
White Blood Cell Counts, Parasite Prevalence, and Plasma Cortisol Levels of Dogs in a County Animal Shelter: Changes over Days and Impact of a Program of Repeated Human Interaction
[Master's thesis, Wright State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1403217853
APA Style (7th edition)
Dudley, Emily.
White Blood Cell Counts, Parasite Prevalence, and Plasma Cortisol Levels of Dogs in a County Animal Shelter: Changes over Days and Impact of a Program of Repeated Human Interaction.
2014. Wright State University, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1403217853.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Dudley, Emily. "White Blood Cell Counts, Parasite Prevalence, and Plasma Cortisol Levels of Dogs in a County Animal Shelter: Changes over Days and Impact of a Program of Repeated Human Interaction." Master's thesis, Wright State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1403217853
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
wright1403217853
Download Count:
806
Copyright Info
© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.