Estudo sobre as alterações comportamentais em cães durante o período de isolamento social pela pandemia de Covid – 19 e o estado cognitivo de cães idosos

Abstract

More and more dogs are considered family members and closer to their owners. These factors, together with advances in veterinary medicine, contribute to the increase in canine life expectancy. Thus, experiencing physiological and behavioral changes compatible with aging, including canine cognitive dysfunction. Thus, the general objective of this study was to identify behavioral changes during the period of social isolation caused by Covid-19 and the cognitive status of elderly dogs. Therefore, the specific objectives of this study were: a) To identify behavioral changes in dogs of various age groups and the relationship with their tutors during social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic period; b) Verify the occurrence of behavioral changes in adult/mature dogs over seven years of age, through observations of their tutors during social isolation in Brazil and in other countries throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; c) Report behavioral changes in an elderly dog, through an observational questionnaire to identify clinical signs and reactivity tests, as well as evidence the patient's clinical improvement after treatment. To achieve the objectives, three studies were developed. In the first study, a questionnaire was made available to owners of dogs of any age, from different countries. The questionnaire contained open and closed questions, with a review about the tutor (without identifying him) and the dog, then questions about the animal's behavior before and during the period of social isolation. In the second study, the same questionnaire was used, but only the responses of tutors with dogs from seven years of age were evaluated. In addition to issues related to behavior before and during the pandemic, behavior related to changes related to the degeneration of elderly dogs was identified. In the third study, a 12-year-old canine, male, SRD, was treated at the Hospital de Clinic’s Veterinaries da UFPel, with behavioral changes. From the questionnaires, it was observed that most tutors were Brazilian, female, aged between 20 and 35 years and were in social isolation along with their dogs. The dogs in general did not show behavioral changes such as aggression and stress, however, they showed greater need and dependence on their tutors. Adult/mature dogs, on the other hand, showed behavioral signs associated with cognitive decline, which is a peculiar change in age and is not related to isolation in the pandemic. And yes, with the proximity and the perception on the part of the tutors. In the reported case of agerelated degenerative alterations, the patient presented behavioral signs, such as disorientation, difficulty in interacting with the tutors and with the other dog that resided in the same environment. Other diseases were excluded and the observational questionnaire and reactivity tests were performed. The patient showed changes in both. Treatment with propentofylline was instituted and there was improvement in behavioral changes. Thus, it is concluded that dogs of all age groups showed greater need and dependence on their tutors in the period of social isolation. And mature adult dogs showed behavior related to advancing age. Being better observed by tutors, due to greater coexistence. The signs compatible with cognitive dysfunction were identified by the observational questionnaire and the reactivity tests. Having a significant improvement with the treatment instituted.