• Title/Summary/Keyword: Companion animals

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A Study on the Effects of Visiting Companion Dog Program on People with Chronic Mental Disability (치료감호소의 만성정신장애인을 대상으로 한 반려견 방문프로그램의 효과에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Sung-Chun;Noh, He-Len
    • Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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    • v.36
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    • pp.1-20
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    • 1998
  • This study was conducted to find out the effects of visiting companion dog program on people with chronic mental disability. Visiting companion dog program was carried out for one hour every week for about three months between January and March of 1997 for chronic schizophrenic patients with severe negative symptoms and evaluated by the treatment team as those who are incapable of participating in any other program aside from medication. In order to measure the effects of the program PANSS: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was conducted by two trained evaluators. The results showed that there was a statistically significant decrease in scores of negative symtoms and general psypathological symtoms. Moreover, scaling scores reported by the nurses and occupational therapist also reveal that the patients show positive changes such as improvement in conversational interaction and facial expressions. Such results evidence that companion animals can have positive emotional and mental influence on people with chronic mental disability. Furthermore the fact that the visiting companion dog program became a program that the chronically mentally disabled who could not participate in any other program can easily participate and enjoy is a meaningful finding in and of itself.

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The Comprehension of Composition, Diversity, Related Diseases, and Treatment of the Gut Microbiome in Companion Dogs: Friend or Foe? (반려견 장내미생물의 조성, 다양성, 관련 질환 및 치료에 대한 이해: 친구인가 적인가?)

  • Choi, Jeonghyun;Hong, Yonggeun
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.30 no.11
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    • pp.1021-1032
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    • 2020
  • Numbers of companion animals and people rearing them are increasing in developed countries. As a result, businesses related to companion animals are becoming more advanced and specialized. Dogs have been cohabiting with humans as companions (pets) for thousands of years and, as a result, eat carbohydrate-rich foods similar to humans and maintain lives similar to their owners. Tight bonds between dogs and their owners are formed by sharing similar lifestyles, including a dwelling and food. Owners are responsible for their pets and treat them with emotional stability. Pets depend on their owners, although the food situation can cause stress. Since pet dogs are carnivorous in nature, providing pet dogs with a nutritionally balanced diet and functional materials is important for a healthy gut microbiome. Recently, the gut microbiota has become a research focus because it is associated with protection from harmful pathogens and immune regulation while maintaining physiological homeostasis. An abnormal gut microbiota is related to pathogenic processes and various gut, metabolic, mental, and neurological diseases. Additionally, pet dogs at risk of disease affect the health of their owners. Therefore, this review discusses the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota of dogs and the relationships between the gut microbiota and diseases.

Effect of ${\beta}$-glucan on Growth, Feed Efficiency and Hematologic Index in Sparague-Dawley Rats (${\beta}$-glucan이 Sparague-Dawley 랫드의 성장, 식이효율 및 혈액성상에 미치는 효과)

  • kim, So-Jung;Lee, Jin-Seok;Kwon, Jung-Ki;An, In-Jung;Lee, Seung-Ho;Park, Young-Seok;Park, Byung-Kwon;Kim, Byeong-Soo;Kim, Sang-Ki;Song, Sung-Ki;Lee, Jong-Dae;Cho, Sung-Doe;Choi, Chang-Sun;Jung, Ji-Youn
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.26 no.1
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    • pp.49-56
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    • 2011
  • To investigate the toxicological effects of ${\beta}$-glucan, we performed basic studying on ${\beta}$-glucan in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Standard endpoints in this study included mortality, clinical observations, changes of body weights, analysis on food consumption, ophthalmoscopic examination, hematologic examination, serum biochemistry, analysis of organ weights, gross anatomic pathology and histopathology. No clinical signs and mortality were observed in animals treated with beta-glucan throughout the experimental period. The average body weight of each treatment groups showed similar levels at end of experiment. There were no treatment-related changes in mortality, body weights changes, food consumption, ophthalmoscopic examination. Although there were statistically significant differences between the control and treated groups in some relative and absolute organ weights, and hematological and biochemical analysis, the data were in biologically normal ranges and did not show a dose-dependent manner. In the morphological change, hepatic tissue were not showed ballooning degeneration and irregular arrangement of hepatic cell in ${\beta}$-glucan treatment groups with control group. Also, organs weights (liver, heart, kidney and stomach) and hematological indices (WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct and Platelet) did not show statistically significant differences among the experimental groups. In summary of these results, there were no changes in mortality, mean body weight, clinical signs, food consumption. There were no changes in ophthalmological examination, hematology, blood chemistry, necropsy and histopathology. In conclusion, although further investigation of glucan should be performed in the functions registered in many ancient literatures, ${\beta}$-glucan is physiologically safe and may have potential as candidate food for human health.

First Clinical Cases of Spirometrosis in Two Cats in Korea

  • Kim, Joohyung;Ock, Younsung;Yang, Kihwan;Choe, Seongjun;Park, Kyung-Mee;Lee, Wan-Kyu;Choi, Kyung-Chul;Kim, Soochong;Kwak, Dongmi;Lee, Seung-Hun
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.59 no.2
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    • pp.153-157
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    • 2021
  • This study reports the first two clinical cases of spirometrosis caused by Spirometra sp. in cats in Korea. In these two cases, the cats vomited, and long proglottids of tapeworm were recovered. The sick cats presented with anorexia and lethargy. However, they unexpectedly showed no diarrhea, which is the main symptom of spirometrosis. Based on a fecal floatation test as well as morphological and molecular analyses, the parasite was diagnosed as Spirometra sp. The 2 cases were treated with praziquantel. This study suggests regular monitoring of health and deworming in companion animals, even when animals are well cared for, with regular preventive medication. Additionally, spirometrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of gastrointestinal symptoms in Spirometra endemic areas.

A Review of the Legal Responsibility of Dog Owners regarding Dog Bite Accidents - Focused on a Comparison with American Dog Bite Legislation - (개물림 사고에 대한 소유자의 법적 책임에 관한 소고 - 미국의 개물림 법제와의 비교를 중심으로 -)

  • Baek, Kyoung-Hee;Shim, Young-Joo
    • Journal of Legislation Research
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    • no.54
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    • pp.261-301
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    • 2018
  • In South Korea, the number of households that rear companion animal has been gradually increasing. With the rise of household dogs, the frequency of humans that are being bitten by another's dog has also increased. This type of accident, which is known as a dog bite accident throughout the United States. It can cause significant physical and emotional damage to the victims and may result in grave injuries or death. Dog bite accidents are serious public health problems and can cause immeasurable hidden costs to the community. South Korea has enacted several laws to address dog bite accidents, which include the Animal Protection Act, the Civil Act, and the Criminal Act. On March 20, 2018, the Animal Protection Act was amended to reinforce the current legislation. These amendments addressed the duty of care owed by a companion dog owner to society members and the punishment that an owner of a fierce dog would face in the event of a dog bite accident. Conversely, several states in the United States have enacted a single law that regulates the details regarding dog bite accidents, such as the type of dog or animal, the type of damage, the scope of compensation for damages, and the scope of recognition of liabilities. This paper is intended to review the present situation of dog bite legislation in several states in the United States, which have a variety of laws that address dog bite accidents, and compare them with current South Korean dog bite legislation. Through this research, this paper will discuss what issues may exist in South Korean's current dog bite laws, analyze the responsibility of companion dog owners, and provide solutions to any issues that are discovered.

A study on the figurative art expression reflected on the relationship with the animal companion and the inner self - Focusing on works by Lee Heeyeong -

  • Lee, Hee-Young;Cho, Myung-Shik
    • Cartoon and Animation Studies
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    • s.42
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    • pp.293-313
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    • 2016
  • The target stimulating human's sensitivity can include several things; the first is human like us including beautiful women and cute babies. The next ranking is the dog animal that established itself as a human's companion. It is the 3B law(beauty, baby, beast - much used in the ad or election due to the positive image) that is widely used in the advertising. This relationship is being expressed in the art history for a long time. Dogs that have lived a history more than 10 thousand years with humans hunted, protected flock of sheep, and kept the farmer's house and property. They have been human's assistants and companion who entered into the modern urban culture. Like this, dogs have adapted to several situations endlessly such as the nomadic life, farming, country life, and urban life. This paper will explore the close relationship of humans and companion animals through various icons of dogs and pups that appeared through a number of artists' skills. The companion animal means an animal that lives with people, which means the relationship of round-trip rather than the one-way relation those each other gives a help. Therefore, there artist tries to examine the figure of great hunter for survival, highly evaluated figure as the royal dignity, and the mascot-like figure delivering the daily happiness to modern people as presenting joy through a discussion of the 'countenance', a visual signal of the dogs and pups. They have been influenced by screen and popular media in 20C. Snoopy, a main character of and the movie <101 Dalmatians> made a success on the theater and television when Beagle and Dalmatian were prevalent. These main characters make audience feel happy involuntarily. Like this, the continuous and old friendship of the human and dogs will be confirmed again through the icon of dogs and pups consisting of the communication of artists and readers in the modern shape art, and it is hoped to be a psychological stabilizing effect to modern people living in the intense modern society. Therefore, it is expected this study paper will be reborn as a new text and be expanded as an effective communication in the journey of dogs and human in the future in investigating the communion of dogs and human.

Serological survey of rabies virus from the stray dogs in Seoul (서울지역 유기견의 광견병 바이러스 항체 분포 조사)

  • Kim, Neung-Hee;Chae, Hee-Sun;Son, Hong-Rak;Kang, Young-Il;Lee, Jung-Hark;Kim, Se-Gon
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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    • v.34 no.4
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    • pp.297-301
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    • 2011
  • Rabies virus is transmitted most commonly through a bite from an infected dog. Especially, stray dogs that are not excluded from contact with rabid wild animals can become rabies vectors. Therefore, serological survey of rabies virus from stray dogs in Seoul Metropolitan City was carried out in this study. To investigate prevalence of rabies antibodies in the stray dogs, serum samples were taken from 500 stray dogs between April and December 2010. Antibodies to rabies virus were detected by indirect ELISA. Of 500 tested sera, 147 (29.4%) were positive to rabies virus. Prevalence rates of rabies antibodies(PRRA) in northern and southern Han river region of Seoul were 26.4% and 33.2% respectively. PRRA in male and female dogs were 33.6% and 26.1% respectively. PRRA in less than 1 year, 1~2< years, 2~3< years, 3~5< years, 5~10< years and over 10 years old dogs were 12.7%, 21.6%, 26.4%, 36.4%, 32.5% and 46.4%, respectively. These results indicates that antibody seroprevalence to rabies is still not enough to prevent rabies and rabies vaccination is required to enhance the seroprevalence in the dogs. To improve the situation, measures to raise public awareness of rabies and its prevention is needed. Also, reducing stray dogs and keeping companion animals from contact with wild animals are indispensable for the prevention of rabies.

DNA microarray-based characterization and antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of clinical MRSA strains from animal hosts

  • Schmitt, Sarah;Stephan, Roger;Huebschke, Ella;Schaefle, Daniel;Merz, Axel;Johler, Sophia
    • Journal of Veterinary Science
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.54.1-54.11
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    • 2020
  • Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of severe infections in humans and animals worldwide. Studies elucidating the population structure, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec types, resistance phenotypes, and virulence gene profiles of animal-associated MRSA are needed to understand spread and transmission. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine 1) clonal complexes and spa types, 2) resistance phenotypes, and 3) virulence/resistance gene profiles of MRSA isolated from animals in Switzerland. Methods: We analyzed 31 presumptive MRSA isolates collected from clinical infections in horses, dogs, cattle, sheep, and pigs, which had tested positive in the Staphaurex Latex Agglutination Test. The isolates were characterized by spa typing and DNA microarray profiling. In addition, we performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the VITEK 2 Compact system. Results: Characterization of the 31 presumptive MRSA isolates revealed 3 methicillinresistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates, which were able to grow on MRSA2 Brilliance agar. Of the 28 MRSA isolates, the majority was assigned to CC398 (86%), but CC8 (11%) and CC1 (4%) were also detected. The predominant spa type was t011 (n = 23), followed by t009 (n = 2), t034 (n = 1), t008 (n = 1), and t127 (n = 1). Conclusions: The results of this study extend the current body of knowledge on the population structure, resistance phenotypes, and virulence and resistance gene profiles of MRSA from livestock and companion animals.

Decadal analysis of livestock tuberculosis in Korea (2013~2022): Epidemiological patterns and trends

  • Yeonsu Oh;Dongseob Tark;Gwang-Seon Ryoo;Dae-Sung Yoo;Woo, H. Kim;Won-Il Kim;Choi-Kyu Park;Won-Keun Kim;Ho-Seong Cho
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.293-302
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    • 2023
  • This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiological trends and challenges in managing tuberculosis (TB) in livestock in Korea from 2013 to 2022. Tuberculosis, caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, is a significant zoonotic disease affecting cattle, deer, and other domesticated animals. Despite the initiation of a test-and-slaughter eradication policy in 1964, TB has continued to persist in Korean livestock, particularly in cattle and deer. This study used data from the Korea Animal Health Integrated System and provincial animal health laboratories to analyze TB incidence in various livestock including different cattle breeds and deer species. The results from 2013 to 2022 showed a peak in TB cases in 2019 with a subsequent decline by 2022. The study highlighted a significant incidence of TB in Korean native cattle and the need for amore inclusive approach towards TB testing and control in different cattle breeds. Additionally, the study underscored the importance of addressing TB in other animals such as goats, wildlife, and companion animals for a holistic approach to TB eradication in Korea. The findings suggest that while the test-and-slaughter strategy has been historically effective, there is a need for adaptation to the current challenges, and learning from successful eradiation stories on other countries like Australia. A collaborative effort involving an expanded surveillance system, active private sector participation, and robust government support essential for the efficient eradication of TB in livestock in Korea.

A newly developed consensus polymerase chain reaction to detect Mycoplasma species using 16S ribosomal RNA gene

  • Hong, Sunhwa;Park, Sang-Ho;Chung, Yung-Ho;Kim, Okjin
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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    • v.35 no.4
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    • pp.289-294
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    • 2012
  • Mycoplasmas are highly fastidious bacteria, difficult to culture and slow growing. Infections with Mycoplasma species can cause a variety of problems in living organisms and in vitro cell cultures. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of a genus-specific consensus PCR analysis method to detect Mycoplasma species. The developed consensus primer pairs MycoF and MycoR were designed specifically to amplify the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA) of Mycoplasma species by the optimized PCR system. The developed consensus PCR system effectively amplified 215 bp of Mycoplasma genus-specific region of 16S rRNA. In conclusion, we recommend this consensus PCR for monitoring Mycoplasma species in animals, human and cell culture system.