Lecture 20 Flashcards
Stereoypies
What are abnormal behaviours?
1pt
Behaviours that differ in pattern, frequency or context from that shown by other members of a species under similar conditions, and that results in impairment in the individual’s functioning
What is normal behaviour?
4pt
- Normal (or natural) behaviours include any innate or learnt behaviour that serves the function of promoting the health, survival and reproduction of an animal in a certain environment.
- Wide range of normal behavioural profiles, not everything is abnormal.
- Frequency of a behaviour does not define normality: there could be very frequent abnormal behaviours (e.g. feather pecking)
- Recognizing abnormality requires familiarization with normality
What are stereotypies?
6pt
- Stereotypies are repeated series of movements with little variation with no obvious or apparent function.
- Its presence indicates poor welfare.
- Never observed in wild animals.
- One particular form of abnormal behaviour (others include obsessive compulsive disorders or re-directed behaviours).
- Often the behavioural sequence of the stereotypy is an incomplete form of a functional behaviour (thwarted eating behaviour following appetitive behaviour).
- Stereotypies do not appear; they develop. Usually initiated by hunger or scape attempts.
What are re-directed behaviours? give examples.
1pt, 3pt
Normal behaviours (oftentimes investigative or foraging behaviours) directed towards the wrong stimulus. Often exacerbated by environment and nutritional management
- Tail biting in pigs.
- Feather pecking in poultry
- Cross-sucking in calves
What is obsessive compulsize disorders? Give examples.
2pt, 6pt
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCDs): Similar to stereotypies, but if you change the environment, these behaviours continue.
They are controlled by different parts of the brain than stereotypies, and respond to different drugs
- Tail chasing
- Licking
- Flank sucking
- Patterned barking
- Wool chewing
- Fly biting
What are undesirable behaviours?
2pt
- Aggressive behaviour: Although undesirable, is not an abnormal behaviour.
- Failure of function: The conditions imposed on domestic animals lead to some inadequacies of function of sexual or parental behaviour (silent heat, male impotence, neonatal rejection).
What leads to stereotypy development?
2pt
- The animal is unable to complete the consummatory phase leading to frustration
- The higher the motivation the greater the frustration and hence the likelihood of developing stereotypies
What kind of stereotypies do omnivours develop?
1pt
Oral Stereotypies
What kind of stereotypies do predators develop?
1pt
Locomotory stereotypies
What causes abnormal behaviours?
5pt
- Hunger/Restricted feeding behaviour - Early/abrupt weaning, Unpredictable environment (feeding schedule)
- Restrictive and/or barren environment - Social isolation
- Genetic susceptibility, heritability
- Exposure to stereotypic peers
- Chronic stress
What is the underlying function of abnormal behaviours?
4pt
- In barren environments they may increase sensory input
- May produce a more predictable and familiar input.
- Relieve digestive upset: Veal calves performing stereotypies had a lower incidence of stomach ulcers compared to non-stereotypy calves (salivation as a collateral effect)
- Stereotypies have a narcotizing and analgesic effect: endorphins are released in the brain during some stereotypies.
What are the negative consequences of stereotypies?
5pt
- Abdominal pain (colic)
- Locomotion injuries
- Erosion/broken teeth
- Skin lacerations
- Injuries to others (tail bitting)
What are the types of stereotypies? give examples of each.
3pt, 8pt
Whole Body Moving
* Pacing, circling or route tracing
* Rocking, swaying and weaving: the body is moved backwards and forwards or from side to side, with or without head-swinging
Part of the Body Moving
* Head-shaking, head-weaving: It has been suggested that there may be a self-hypnotic component in this behaviour
* Rubbing, pawing, digging
Oral - Differences between animals in the way they eat are reflected in the range of oral stereotypies developed
* Licking or crib-whetting
* Tongue-rolling: In cattle
* Bar-biting or crib-biting: The animal opens and closes its mouth around a bar, tether or stable door, engaging the tongue and teeth with the surface and performing chewing movements
* Sham-chewing (pigs)
What are solutions for stereotypies?
5pt
Treatment of stereotypies often includes masking the behaviour without addressing the source of the problem. Ideally:
* Modifying or changing environment
* Change in feeding regime or diet
* Behaviour modification
* Drugs: anxiolytics. OCDs controlled by different part of the brain, and respond to different drugs and changes of environment
