From: IN%"Carol.Petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au" "Petherick, Carol" 2-JUN-2005 19:22:15.34 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "ethology" CC: Subj: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep Hi all I've done some searches of the literature, but have found very few references relating to the above. I would have thought that a genetic selection approach would be appropriate (less wrinkly sheep with short tails), but am unable to find any information. I seem to have a vague recollection that the Friesland(?) sheep has little or no tail. Is anybody aware of any research going on in this area (genetic or otherwise)? This is for a review I'm writing. Thanks in anticipation. Carol "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Mahatma Gandhi Carol Petherick Principal Scientist (Animal Behaviour and Welfare) Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries PO Box 6014, Central Qld Mail Centre N. Rockhampton Queensland 4702 Australia Telephone +61 (0)7 4936 0331; Fax +61 (0)7 4936 0390 Email carol.petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au Website www.dpi.qld.gov.au Call Centre 13 25 23 ********************************DISCLAIMER**************************** The information contained in the above e-mail message or messages (which includes any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the addressee any form of disclosure, copying, modification, distribution or any action taken or omitted in reliance on the information is unauthorised. Opinions contained in the message(s) do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Queensland Government and its authorities. If you received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your computer system network. From: IN%"gooddog@dodo.com.au" "Geiger" 2-JUN-2005 21:54:21.43 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep Did you find this helpful article: 2004 Kent, Thrusfield, Moloney, Hosie, Sheppard Veterinary Record "Randomised controlled field trial of two new techniques for castration and tail docking of lambs less than two days of age" Jackie Perkins -----Original Message----- From: Petherick, Carol [mailto:Carol.Petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au] Sent: Friday, June 03, 2005 11:22 AM To: ethology Subject: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep Hi all I've done some searches of the literature, but have found very few references relating to the above. I would have thought that a genetic selection approach would be appropriate (less wrinkly sheep with short tails), but am unable to find any information. I seem to have a vague recollection that the Friesland(?) sheep has little or no tail. Is anybody aware of any research going on in this area (genetic or otherwise)? This is for a review I'm writing. Thanks in anticipation. Carol "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Mahatma Gandhi Carol Petherick Principal Scientist (Animal Behaviour and Welfare) Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries PO Box 6014, Central Qld Mail Centre N. Rockhampton Queensland 4702 Australia Telephone +61 (0)7 4936 0331; Fax +61 (0)7 4936 0390 Email carol.petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au Website www.dpi.qld.gov.au Call Centre 13 25 23 ********************************DISCLAIMER**************************** The information contained in the above e-mail message or messages (which includes any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the addressee any form of disclosure, copying, modification, distribution or any action taken or omitted in reliance on the information is unauthorised. Opinions contained in the message(s) do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Queensland Government and its authorities. If you received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your computer system network. From: IN%"Carol.Petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au" "Petherick, Carol" 2-JUN-2005 22:03:48.52 To: IN%"gooddog@dodo.com.au" "Geiger", IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep Thanks Jackie I did and will use this one, but I'm also looking for work on alternatives that minimise the need for "invasive" procedures (and that's the emphasis of my review, I guess). Carol Carol Petherick Principal Scientist (Animal Behaviour and Welfare) Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries Telephone +61 (0)7 4936 0331; Fax +61 (0)7 4936 0390 Email carol.petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au ________________________________ From: Geiger [mailto:gooddog@dodo.com.au] Sent: Friday, 3 June 2005 1:54 PM To: Applied-ethology@skyway.usask.ca Subject: RE: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep Did you find this helpful article: 2004 Kent, Thrusfield, Moloney, Hosie, Sheppard Veterinary Record "Randomised controlled field trial of two new techniques for castration and tail docking of lambs less than two days of age" Jackie Perkins -----Original Message----- From: Petherick, Carol [mailto:Carol.Petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au] Sent: Friday, June 03, 2005 11:22 AM To: ethology Subject: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep Hi all I've done some searches of the literature, but have found very few references relating to the above. I would have thought that a genetic selection approach would be appropriate (less wrinkly sheep with short tails), but am unable to find any information. I seem to have a vague recollection that the Friesland(?) sheep has little or no tail. Is anybody aware of any research going on in this area (genetic or otherwise)? This is for a review I'm writing. Thanks in anticipation. Carol "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Mahatma Gandhi Carol Petherick Principal Scientist (Animal Behaviour and Welfare) Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries PO Box 6014, Central Qld Mail Centre N. Rockhampton Queensland 4702 Australia Telephone +61 (0)7 4936 0331; Fax +61 (0)7 4936 0390 Email carol.petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au Website www.dpi.qld.gov.au Call Centre 13 25 23 ********************************DISCLAIMER**************************** The information contained in the above e-mail message or messages (which includes any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the addressee any form of disclosure, copying, modification, distribution or any action taken or omitted in reliance on the information is unauthorised. Opinions contained in the message(s) do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Queensland Government and its authorities. If you received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your computer system network. From: IN%"cindysharkbait@yahoo.com" "cindy schulze" 3-JUN-2005 08:15:08.89 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: veterinary oncology I was hoping someone on this list might be familiar with sarcomas in canines and any new treatment available. I have an 11 year old German Shepard w/ several different sarcomas, one of which is located near the spine. These tumors have not responded to two different types of chemo and radiation is not warranted due to multiple sites. I would appreciate any input from the experts on this list. The dog is a neutered male, in very good health otherwise and still alert and happy. No diarrhea, stomach upset... Cindy Schulze cindysharkbait@yahoo.com Cindy SchulzeClick on the "Feed an Animal in Need" button at http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ and give food to an animal living in a shelter or sanctuary -- at no cost to you. --------------------------------- Discover Yahoo! Have fun online with music videos, cool games, IM & more. Check it out! From: IN%"Moira.Harris@bristol.ac.uk" "Moira Harris" 3-JUN-2005 09:37:32.54 To: IN%"cindysharkbait@yahoo.com" "cindy schulze", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: veterinary oncology Dear Cindy, Could I suggest you consult a veterinary oncologist? This list is primarily for the discussion of applied ethology (applied animal behaviour), and while it's possible some subscribers might have the expertise you seek I would treat any responses with caution unless they are backed up by the appropriate medical/veterinary credentials. In any case, I think it's rather dangerous to solicit -- or give -- medical advice on an e-list. Best wishes, - Moira Harris --On 03 June 2005 07:14 -0700 cindy schulze wrote: > > I was hoping someone on this list might be familiar with sarcomas in > canines and any new treatment available. I have an 11 year old German > Shepard w/ several different sarcomas, one of which is located near the > spine. These tumors have not responded to two different types of chemo > and radiation is not warranted due to multiple sites. > > I would appreciate any input from the experts on this list. The dog is a > neutered male, in very good health otherwise and still alert and happy. > No diarrhea, stomach upset... > > Cindy Schulze > cindysharkbait@yahoo.com > > Cindy Schulze Click on the "Feed an Animal in Need" button at > http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ and give food to an animal living in > a shelter or sanctuary -- at no cost to you. > > > __________________________________________________ > Discover Yahoo! > Have fun online with music videos, cool games, IM & more. Check it out! ------------------------------------- Dr. Moira Harris Dept. Clinical Veterinary Science University of Bristol moira.harris@bristol.ac.uk 0117 928 9404 From: IN%"DebHdvm@aol.com" 3-JUN-2005 10:57:58.88 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: International Veterinary Behavior Meeting FINAL REMINDER The final registration deadline of June 17th for the 5th International Veterinary Behavior Meeting is fast approaching. The meeting promises to be a wonderful opportunity to hear over 50 research papers and 25 posters from all over the world on applied animal behavior (including multiple species) and interact with colleagues. Breakfast, lunch and daily coffee breaks are included in the registration and Thursday night features a reception with wine and hors d'oeuvre for all delegates and speakers. Friday and Saturday morning will begin with a terminology session that should be very informative. The meeting takes place in Minneapolis, MN July 14-16, 2005. Program details and registration information can be found at www.avsab.us Debbie Horwitz Debra F. Horwitz, DVM DACVB Veterinary Behavior Consultations 11469 Olive Blvd. #254 St. Louis, MO 63141-7108 Phone and fax: 314-567-4131 e-mail: DebHdvm@aol.com From: IN%"gooddog@dodo.com.au" "Geiger" 3-JUN-2005 21:28:43.02 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep Is it necessary or even desirable for participants of this list to "bounce back" emails from certain members? See such below... Jackie Perkins -----Original Message----- From: Confirmation from mary doran [mailto:confirm-gooddog=dodo.com.au@spamguard.vanquish.com] Sent: Friday, June 03, 2005 9:54 PM To: gooddog@dodo.com.au Subject: Re: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep The message that you sent to me (mary doran) has not yet been delivered: From: gooddog@dodo.com.au Subject: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 13:53:56 +1000 I am now using Vanquish to avoid spam. This automated message is an optional feature of that service, which I have enabled. Please accept this one-time request to confirm that the above message actually came from you. Your confirmation will release the message and allow all future messages from your address. Click here to confirm: http://confirm.vanquish.com/?U=/MTZ0eq1eTdqHx1BDv8LKw Vanquish respects my privacy and yours. Your confirmation gets your mail delivered to me now and in the future. It does not serve any marketing purpose. Learn how privacy is assured: www.vanquish.com/privacy From: IN%"saluqi@ix.netcom.com" "John Burchard" 4-JUN-2005 18:41:24.86 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied ethology list" CC: Subj: RE: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking insheep Geiger wrote: > > Is it necessary or even desirable for participants of this list to "bounce > back" emails from certain members? > See such below... > > Jackie Perkins > > -----Original Message----- > From: Confirmation from mary doran > [mailto:confirm-gooddog=dodo.com.au@spamguard.vanquish.com] > Sent: Friday, June 03, 2005 9:54 PM > To: gooddog@dodo.com.au > Subject: Re: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep > > The message that you sent to me (mary doran) has not yet been delivered: > > From: gooddog@dodo.com.au > Subject: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking > in sheep > Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 13:53:56 +1000 > > I am now using Vanquish to avoid spam. This automated message > is an optional feature of that service, which I have enabled. > > Please accept this one-time request to confirm that the above > message actually came from you. Your confirmation will release > the message and allow all future messages from your address. > > Click here to confirm: > http://confirm.vanquish.com/?U=/MTZ0eq1eTdqHx1BDv8LKw > > Vanquish respects my privacy and yours. Your confirmation > gets your mail delivered to me now and in the future. It > does not serve any marketing purpose. Learn how privacy is > assured: www.vanquish.com/privacy I don't know that this is "bouncing" messages from certain members (I have had the same problem). Mary Doran has activated a spam protection service, which is praiseworthy . Unfortunately that spam protection service has been configured so that list members who wish Mary Doran to receive their posts are required, individually, to go to a specified Web site and register their address with the spam filter. I find this requirement unacceptable, and have said so before, but since Mary Doran has blocked all list mail from anyone, I think, who does not comply with the requirement to visit the "Vanquish" Web site, I am sure she has not seen my messages to that effect . Perhaps the list owner would be good enough to do something about this? I am in favor of spam filters, but they can be configured in a way that does not require each list member to go to a Web site and "clear" themselves, separately, for each list member who decides to activate spam protection. I am sure the spam filter could be set up to "clear" all list messages - after all they all come from the same address - without requiring each list subscriber to take individual action. I subscribe to about 30 lists with altogether several thousand members. If each of them were to choose this method of spam protection, things would be quite intolerable. I wish also that list members would deactivate their autoresponders ("I am out of office" messages) for the lists when they go on vacation, etc. If you set your list options to "nomail" the other list subscribers will not be bombarded with "out of office" messages ... John -- Dr. John Burchard Tepe Gawra Salukis http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ saluqi@ix.netcom.com From: IN%"k9.college_napier@xtra.co.nz" 4-JUN-2005 22:17:25.01 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Re: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking insheep John Burchard said in part: > I subscribe to about 30 lists with altogether several thousand members. If each > of them were to choose this method of spam protection, things would be quite > intolerable. ..........> I wish also that list members would deactivate their autoresponders ("I am out > of office" messages) for the lists when they go on vacation, etc. If you set > your list options to "nomail" the other list subscribers will not be bombarded > with "out of office" messages ... My response: I can only add a hearty HEAR,HEAR to both of John's comments. Regards John L. New Zealand From: IN%"jhaskins@tpg.com.au" "Jenny Haskins" 4-JUN-2005 22:42:54.92 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Ethology" CC: Subj: Sea Gulls food washing Last Saturday (May 28 2005) at about 12.30 pm I saw something that, to me, was most unexpected. My husband and I were having a lunch of fish and chips sitting on the grass overlooking a tiny strip of sand on the edge of the Kalang River (at Urunga, NSW) near th emouth of the river. There were pelicans and sea gulls sunning themselves on a sand bar on the other side of the river, I think where the Bellinger rive joins the Kalang -- the rivers meet at their mouths. The water was clean and quiet. I'd just remarked that there were no sea gulls for me to throw my uneated batter to, when a single gull flew in. I threw a piece of batter onto the sand, and laughed when the gull swallowed it, as it was very sandy. However, the gull picked up the next piece I threw for it, ran to the water's edge, washed the piece of batter in the water, letting it float for a fraction of a second, then retrieved it, ate it, then the gull washed its beak before coming back up the beach to beg for another piece. Two juveniles then joined the first gull. Neither of these washed the food, but the first gull continued to do so until we'd run out of scraps to throw. These were Silver Gulls, 'Larus novaehollandiae'. These are the common Australian Gulls. Jenny Haskins Family Dog Training Coffs Harbour, Australia From: IN%"ceannicrc@yahoo.com" "Cecilia Lambert" 5-JUN-2005 06:41:43.34 To: IN%"k9.college_napier@xtra.co.nz" "John Lane", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Re: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking insheep Thanks from me too. I, also didn't feel it was necesary for someone to lecture Cindy when she was doing all she can to try to save an animal that she dearly loves. When you are in her position, you start asking for help from everywhere. Some people on this list can be downright mean and unsympathetic. CeAnn --- k9.college_napier@xtra.co.nz wrote: > John Burchard said in part: > > > I subscribe to about 30 lists with altogether > several thousand members. If each > of them were to > choose this method of spam protection, things would > be quite > > intolerable. > ..........> I wish also that list members would > deactivate their autoresponders ("I am out > of > office" messages) for the lists when they go on > vacation, etc. If you set > > your list options to "nomail" the other list > subscribers will not be bombarded > with "out of > office" messages ... > > > My response: > > I can only add a hearty HEAR,HEAR to both of John's > comments. > > Regards John L. > New Zealand > > > CeAnn Lambert Indiana Coyote Rescue Center www.coyoterescue.org __________________________________ Discover Yahoo! Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out! http://discover.yahoo.com/stayintouch.html From: IN%"Moira.Harris@bristol.ac.uk" "Moira Harris" 5-JUN-2005 09:59:57.04 To: IN%"ceannicrc@yahoo.com" "Cecilia Lambert", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Re veterinary oncology Dear CeAnn and all, Presumably I am the downright mean and unsympathetic person to whom you refer? Sorry ... I remain downright unrepentant. If you re-read my message carefully you will notice that I was not lecturing, and in fact I have every sympathy for Cindy's predicament. My sympathy caused me to suggest that she seek help from a qualified source, rather than soliciting it from an unregulated list which anybody with an email address is free to join and contribute to. Best wishes, - Moira --On 05 June 2005 05:41 -0700 Cecilia Lambert wrote: > Thanks from me too. I, also didn't feel it was > necesary for someone to lecture Cindy when she was > doing all she can to try to save an animal that she > dearly loves. When you are in her position, you start > asking for help from everywhere. Some people on this > list can be downright mean and unsympathetic. > CeAnn > > --- k9.college_napier@xtra.co.nz wrote: > >> John Burchard said in part: >> >> > I subscribe to about 30 lists with altogether >> several thousand members. If each > of them were to >> choose this method of spam protection, things would >> be quite >> > intolerable. >> ..........> I wish also that list members would >> deactivate their autoresponders ("I am out > of >> office" messages) for the lists when they go on >> vacation, etc. If you set >> > your list options to "nomail" the other list >> subscribers will not be bombarded > with "out of >> office" messages ... >> >> >> My response: >> >> I can only add a hearty HEAR,HEAR to both of John's >> comments. >> >> Regards John L. >> New Zealand >> >> >> > > > CeAnn Lambert > Indiana Coyote Rescue Center > www.coyoterescue.org > > > > __________________________________ > Discover Yahoo! > Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out! > http://discover.yahoo.com/stayintouch.html ------------------------------------- Dr. Moira Harris Dept. Clinical Veterinary Science University of Bristol moira.harris@bristol.ac.uk 0117 928 9404 From: IN%"saluqi@ix.netcom.com" "John Burchard" 5-JUN-2005 21:09:54.55 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied ethology list" CC: Subj: "Out of office" messages and SPAM filters Dear list, In response to my previous post on this topic I have just received, in one batch, "Out of office" autoresponder messages from the following: Suzanne Berry Phil Gee Dorte Bratbo Sørensen Nina Keil Lisa Colledge Frank Tuyttens Cathy Dwyer I also received a request from "spamguard.vanquish.com" on behalf of Mary Doran, to register my own personal E-mail address as one from which she can receive messages. Since I do not send messages to Mary Doran directly, but only through the list, I find this request (repeated for every message I send to the list) inappropriate. It is surely not the responsibility of any individual member of a list community to "clear" list messages with each and every other individual list subscriber. All of the aforementioned messages were addressed to my personal mailbox directly, not via the list. Isn't there some way for people to set their autoresponders, spam filters etc. to deal with list mail as list mail, instead of forcing each individual list subscriber to deal with this sort of thing? Is this perhaps a consequence of the "Reply to:" being set, for the list as a whole, to reply to the individual subscriber instead of to the list? John -- Dr. John Burchard Tepe Gawra Salukis http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ saluqi@ix.netcom.com From: IN%"Michalchik@aol.com" 5-JUN-2005 21:35:53.08 To: IN%"saluqi@ix.netcom.com", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: "Out of office" messages and SPAM filters I just set my Spam filter to exclude:autoreply and out of office, it seems to work for me, but I agree it used to be annoying. From: IN%"gooddog@dodo.com.au" "Geiger" 6-JUN-2005 02:13:29.06 To: IN%"saluqi@ix.netcom.com" "'John Burchard'" CC: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" Subj: RE: "Out of office" messages and SPAM filters Thank you, my entiments exactly!=20 And I can not even access Mary Doran because I failed to confirm that intrusive request, which actually seemed a bit fishy to me in the detail requested, Jackie Perkins -----Original Message----- From: John Burchard [mailto:saluqi@ix.netcom.com]=20 Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 1:04 PM To: Applied ethology list Subject: "Out of office" messages and SPAM filters Dear list, In response to my previous post on this topic I have just received, in = one batch, "Out of office" autoresponder messages from the following: Suzanne Berry Phil Gee Dorte Bratbo S=F8rensen Nina Keil Lisa Colledge Frank Tuyttens Cathy Dwyer I also received a request from "spamguard.vanquish.com" on behalf of = Mary Doran, to register my own personal E-mail address as one from which she can = receive messages. Since I do not send messages to Mary Doran directly, but only through = the list, I find this request (repeated for every message I send to the list) inappropriate. It is surely not the responsibility of any individual = member of a list community to "clear" list messages with each and every other individual list subscriber. All of the aforementioned messages were addressed to my personal mailbox directly, not via the list. Isn't there some way for people to set = their autoresponders, spam filters etc. to deal with list mail as list mail, instead of forcing each individual list subscriber to deal with this sort of = thing? Is this perhaps a consequence of the "Reply to:" being set, for the list = as a whole, to reply to the individual subscriber instead of to the list? John --=20 Dr. John Burchard Tepe Gawra Salukis http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ saluqi@ix.netcom.com From: IN%"jwillard@turbonet.com" "Janice Willard" 6-JUN-2005 12:58:52.19 To: IN%"Carol.Petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au" "Petherick, Carol", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "ethology" CC: Subj: RE: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheepHi Carol, I am going on very old memory here, but I recall a discussion about trying to breed a short-tailed sheep breed that didn't require tail docking back in a sheep science class that I took, I hate to admit, but it must have been over 20 years ago. What I recall was that attempts were made to breed a short tailed sheep at a university (I seem to recall in the Midwest USA). The problem was that, while they were able to reduce the tail length, some other undesirable traits appeared and the project was abandoned. I do remember seeing a photo of the sheep breed-it was a pretty typical white-face. I remember thinking that it was odd that it wasn't easier to breed a short-tailed sheep, because the original wild sheep stock that sheep originally were domesticated from, weren't they short-tailed? (Certainly the Rocky Mountain Big Horn sheep, the wild sheep in this area, have a short tail like a goat, and I was under the impression that these look similar to the wild precursors of domestic sheep). I am sorry I can not give a reference or remember more clearly than this. The professor who taught that class retired shortly after I took the class, however, he does still live around here and I see him occasionally, although he is quite old. If you wish, I could see if I can find him and see if his memory is better than mine about this. Perhaps someone else can remember this breeding project? It would have been at least 30 years ago at a US animal science department. Now I am curious to remember what undesirable traits appeared in the short-tailed sheep. I should also mention that, while tail docking is as common as castrating around here, I have never seen or even heard of anyone doing mulesing as a management practice. While I can't say it is never done, I would have to say that it must be exceedingly rare. Janice Janice Willard, DVM, MS Moscow, Idaho, USA ----- Original Message ----- From: Petherick, Carol To: ethology Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 6:21 PM Subject: R&D on alternatives to mulesing and/or tail-docking in sheep Hi all I've done some searches of the literature, but have found very few references relating to the above. I would have thought that a genetic selection approach would be appropriate (less wrinkly sheep with short tails), but am unable to find any information. I seem to have a vague recollection that the Friesland(?) sheep has little or no tail. Is anybody aware of any research going on in this area (genetic or otherwise)? This is for a review I'm writing. Thanks in anticipation. Carol "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Mahatma Gandhi Carol Petherick Principal Scientist (Animal Behaviour and Welfare) Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries PO Box 6014, Central Qld Mail Centre N. Rockhampton Queensland 4702 Australia Telephone +61 (0)7 4936 0331; Fax +61 (0)7 4936 0390 Email carol.petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au Website www.dpi.qld.gov.au Call Centre 13 25 23 ********************************DISCLAIMER**************************** The information contained in the above e-mail message or messages (which includes any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the addressee any form of disclosure, copying, modification, distribution or any action taken or omitted in reliance on the information is unauthorised. Opinions contained in the message(s) do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Queensland Government and its authorities. If you received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your computer system network. From: IN%"bjarne.braastad@umb.no" 8-JUN-2005 08:06:30.66 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca", IN%"ISAEnet-l@usask.ca" CC: Subj: PhD course: The Ontogeny of behaviour Dear ISAE members and subscribers to Applied Ethology, The deadline for registering for the PhD course 'The Ontogeny of Behaviour' is 1st July. There are still vacant places, so please contact me as soon as possible if you or your PhD students are interested. This is a rare opportunity to learn and to discuss mechanisms of behavioural development, a crucial aspect of getting adult well-adapted animals, with experts and other PhD students from various countries. The PhD course in ethology called "The Ontogeny of Behaviour" is to be held 15-19 November 2005 at a conference centre near our university, just outside Oslo, Norway. The aim of this PhD course is to give insight into the developmental processes of behaviour, from expression of the genotype through prenatal and postnatal experience to later developmental changes. Per Jensen, Jerry A. Hogan and Stefania Maccari are among the teachers of the course. More information is found on this website: http://kurs.umb.no/HET400 Application deadline is 1st July 2005. The course is primarily for Nordic PhD students, but PhD students outside the Nordic region are welcome untill a maximum of 30 participants are reached. Please give this information to anyone you might think may be interested. Bjarne O. Braastad course leader ********************************************************** Bjarne O. Braastad (Dr.Philos.) Professor of Ethology Dept. of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (formerly Agric. Univ. of Norway), P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway e-mail: bjarne.braastad@umb.no NB! New phone no.: + 47 64 96 51 62 NB! New fax no.: + 47 64 96 51 01 cell phone: +47 419 086 93 http://www.umb.no/iha ********************************************************** From: IN%"gooddog@dodo.com.au" "Geiger" 9-JUN-2005 18:00:28.98 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: FW: Japan dog shows around 24th August? Can anyone help? I am attending the conference in August 20-24. I wish to attend a dog show, if one is available, perhaps on the weekend after the conference. I wish especially to take a close firsthand look at the breeds banned in parts of Australia; I do not ever see them here in the flesh and hope to during my trip to Japan. The breeds of especial interest are: Tosa, Fila Braziliera, Argentino, Canary Islands dog, Pit Bull Terrier. In my capacity as Brisbane City Council Veterinarian, first hand knowledge of these breeds could be beneficial. I have tried to access the Japanese Kennel Club website to obtain details, but it is in Japanese, and I do not speak Japanese. If there are no dog shows on coinciding with my trip, perhaps I could visit a breeding kennel, involved in breeding some of the above mentioned breeds? Regards, Dr Jackie Perkins Veterinary Behaviour Consultant From: IN%"cindysharkbait@yahoo.com" "cindy schulze" 10-JUN-2005 10:40:29.17 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: office mouse Hello all, I have a question regarding field mouse social behavior. I have a mouse in my office which appears to be a wild strain, not a lab mouse. I enjoy sharing space w/this little critter and bring tidbits to feed on occassion. However, I believe some of my colleagues are uncomfortable with her underfoot and are asking about a relocation program. The question is: Do you suppose this mouse would be happier being moved to the outdoors and will she be able to make a living in the wild after having lived for an unknown period of time indoors. I know mice have a social organization but I don't know if this mouse would be able to find a niche. I am also concerned that other wild mice would be territorial and try to kill her. Summarily, should I leave this little mouse as is or move her to the outdoors? Cindy SchulzeClick on the "Feed an Animal in Need" button at http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ and give food to an animal living in a shelter or sanctuary -- at no cost to you. --------------------------------- Discover Yahoo! Find restaurants, movies, travel & more fun for the weekend. Check it out! From: IN%"saluqi@ix.netcom.com" "John Burchard" 10-JUN-2005 20:05:51.48 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied ethology list" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse cindy schulze wrote: > I have a question regarding field mouse social behavior. I have a mouse in > my office which appears to be a wild strain, not a lab mouse. I enjoy sharing > space w/this little critter and bring tidbits to feed on occassion. However, I > believe some of my colleagues are uncomfortable with her underfoot and are > asking about a relocation program. > > The question is: Do you suppose this mouse would be happier being moved to the > outdoors and will she be able to make a living in the wild after having lived > for an unknown period of time indoors. I know mice have a social organization > but I don't know if this mouse would be able to find a niche. I am also > concerned that other wild mice would be territorial and try to kill her. > > Summarily, should I leave this little mouse as is or move her to the outdoors? One relevant question is: What species of mouse? The mice that invade houses or offices are usually, but not always, House Mice (Mus musculus), native to Asia but now distributed worldwide. They live outdoors in warm climates but are not AFAIK "winter hardy" in colder regions. Laboratory mice are domesticated House Mice. "Field mice" usually refers to voles (many species of Microtus and allied genera). Most of those have short tails. They don't usually invade buildings. There are also deer mice and whitefooted mice (many species of Peromyscus) which sometimes do move into houses though they are more at home in the fields and especially the woods. They have big button eyes and white feet and are "cuter" than House Mice. If your office is in a laboratory setting there might be legitimate concern about the possibility of transmission of diseases or parasites from a wild mouse to the laboratory colony. Otherwise I would probably try to win my colleagues over . John -- Dr. John Burchard Tepe Gawra Salukis http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ saluqi@ix.netcom.com From: IN%"ceannicrc@yahoo.com" "Cecilia Lambert" 11-JUN-2005 05:34:14.69 To: IN%"saluqi@ix.netcom.com" "John Burchard", IN%"cindysharkbait@yahoo.com" "Cindy Schulze", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse I would think that anytime you take an animal out of it's territory, you put it in danger. Cindy, my same reasons for not releasing the mouse would be the same reasons that I get so upset when rehabbers release bottlefed, hand raised coyote puppies. You would be putting it in unfamiler territory where he would have to try to defend that territory, without, already knowing where the hiding places are or where food it. That would put the mouse at a big disadvantage. The chances are great that he would not survive. He is also very trusting of humans and like with a coyote puppy, that is not a good thing. CeAnn --- John Burchard wrote: > cindy schulze wrote: > > > I have a question regarding field mouse social > behavior. I have a mouse in > > my office which appears to be a wild strain, not a > lab mouse. I enjoy sharing > > space w/this little critter and bring tidbits to > feed on occassion. However, I > > believe some of my colleagues are uncomfortable > with her underfoot and are > > asking about a relocation program. > > > > The question is: Do you suppose this mouse would > be happier being moved to the > > outdoors and will she be able to make a living in > the wild after having lived > > for an unknown period of time indoors. I know mice > have a social organization > > but I don't know if this mouse would be able to > find a niche. I am also > > concerned that other wild mice would be > territorial and try to kill her. > > > > Summarily, should I leave this little mouse as is > or move her to the outdoors? > > One relevant question is: What species of mouse? > > The mice that invade houses or offices are usually, > but not always, House Mice > (Mus musculus), native to Asia but now distributed > worldwide. They live > outdoors in warm climates but are not AFAIK "winter > hardy" in colder regions. > Laboratory mice are domesticated House Mice. > > "Field mice" usually refers to voles (many species > of Microtus and allied > genera). Most of those have short tails. They > don't usually invade buildings. > > There are also deer mice and whitefooted mice (many > species of Peromyscus) which > sometimes do move into houses though they are more > at home in the fields and > especially the woods. They have big button eyes and > white feet and are "cuter" > than House Mice. > > If your office is in a laboratory setting there > might be legitimate concern > about the possibility of transmission of diseases or > parasites from a wild mouse > to the laboratory colony. > > Otherwise I would probably try to win my colleagues > over . > > John > -- > Dr. John Burchard > Tepe Gawra Salukis > http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ > saluqi@ix.netcom.com > CeAnn Lambert Indiana Coyote Rescue Center www.coyoterescue.org __________________________________ Discover Yahoo! Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out! http://discover.yahoo.com/stayintouch.html From: IN%"ewj@uiuc.edu" "E. Wayne Johnson" 11-JUN-2005 08:08:00.91 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse Wild mice in human habitations, although common presently and historically, are a significant human health risk and cause much damage to property. If you see one mouse, there are likely to be many more unseen ones lurking nearby. If you don't want to dispatch the verminous invaders yourself because you think they are cute, it is probably time to seek professional assistance. (at least with the removal of the mice). Wayne At 06:34 AM 6/11/2005, Cecilia Lambert wrote: >I would think that anytime you take an animal out of >it's territory, you put it in danger. Cindy, my same >reasons for not releasing the mouse would be the same >reasons that I get so upset when rehabbers release >bottlefed, hand raised coyote puppies. >You would be putting it in unfamiler territory where >he would have to try to defend that territory, >without, already knowing where the hiding places are >or where food it. That would put the mouse at a big >disadvantage. The chances are great that he would not >survive. He is also very trusting of humans and like >with a coyote puppy, that is not a good thing. >CeAnn > >--- John Burchard wrote: > > > cindy schulze wrote: > > > > > I have a question regarding field mouse social > > behavior. I have a mouse in > > > my office which appears to be a wild strain, not a > > lab mouse. I enjoy sharing > > > space w/this little critter and bring tidbits to > > feed on occassion. However, I > > > believe some of my colleagues are uncomfortable > > with her underfoot and are > > > asking about a relocation program. > > > > > > The question is: Do you suppose this mouse would > > be happier being moved to the > > > outdoors and will she be able to make a living in > > the wild after having lived > > > for an unknown period of time indoors. I know mice > > have a social organization > > > but I don't know if this mouse would be able to > > find a niche. I am also > > > concerned that other wild mice would be > > territorial and try to kill her. > > > > > > Summarily, should I leave this little mouse as is > > or move her to the outdoors? > > > > One relevant question is: What species of mouse? > > > > The mice that invade houses or offices are usually, > > but not always, House Mice > > (Mus musculus), native to Asia but now distributed > > worldwide. They live > > outdoors in warm climates but are not AFAIK "winter > > hardy" in colder regions. > > Laboratory mice are domesticated House Mice. > > > > "Field mice" usually refers to voles (many species > > of Microtus and allied > > genera). Most of those have short tails. They > > don't usually invade buildings. > > > > There are also deer mice and whitefooted mice (many > > species of Peromyscus) which > > sometimes do move into houses though they are more > > at home in the fields and > > especially the woods. They have big button eyes and > > white feet and are "cuter" > > than House Mice. > > > > If your office is in a laboratory setting there > > might be legitimate concern > > about the possibility of transmission of diseases or > > parasites from a wild mouse > > to the laboratory colony. > > > > Otherwise I would probably try to win my colleagues > > over . > > > > John > > -- > > Dr. John Burchard > > Tepe Gawra Salukis > > http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ > > saluqi@ix.netcom.com > > > > >CeAnn Lambert >Indiana Coyote Rescue Center >www.coyoterescue.org > > > >__________________________________ >Discover Yahoo! >Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out! >http://discover.yahoo.com/stayintouch.html * E. Wayne Johnson DVM 302 Animal Sciences Laboratory 1207 West Gregory Drive Urbana, Illinois 61801 217 778 9961 mobile 217 367 8252 home 217 333 8286 fax From: IN%"rbogle@sonic.net" "Rick Bogle" 11-JUN-2005 09:46:16.27 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse In a very small area of the country where hantavirus is known, there could be some slight health risk to having a mouse living nearby. If the rodent in question is living in a modern office building, then the overall risk must be very slim. More details are needed, of course. But, it is possible that if the building is a modern concrete structure it probably has all the wiring in metal conduit. It is very possible that there are not many other mice where only one has been seen. A concrete or metal building could easily be such a poor niche that only a few mice could make a living there. The notion that mice are vermin and should be destroyed on sight is an idea born out of the days of poor construction methods and poor sanitation. I have personally been in offices where a mouse was seen only once or twice. He or she must have been unable to find much food and simply left. If one were to feed such a visitor, it might return. This would be no reason to assume that the mice were taking over. Just be careful about the amount of food you leave. A few crumbs are a lot to a mouse. Rick Bogle Madison, WI -----Original Message----- From: E. Wayne Johnson [mailto:ewj@uiuc.edu] Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2005 9:08 AM To: applied-ethology@skyway.usask.ca Subject: Re: office mouse Wild mice in human habitations, although common presently and historically, are a significant human health risk and cause much damage to property. If you see one mouse, there are likely to be many more unseen ones lurking nearby. If you don't want to dispatch the verminous invaders yourself because you think they are cute, it is probably time to seek professional assistance. (at least with the removal of the mice). Wayne At 06:34 AM 6/11/2005, Cecilia Lambert wrote: I would think that anytime you take an animal out of it's territory, you put it in danger. Cindy, my same reasons for not releasing the mouse would be the same reasons that I get so upset when rehabbers release bottlefed, hand raised coyote puppies. You would be putting it in unfamiler territory where he would have to try to defend that territory, without, already knowing where the hiding places are or where food it. That would put the mouse at a big disadvantage. The chances are great that he would not survive. He is also very trusting of humans and like with a coyote puppy, that is not a good thing. CeAnn --- John Burchard wrote: > cindy schulze wrote: > > > I have a question regarding field mouse social > behavior. I have a mouse in > > my office which appears to be a wild strain, not a > lab mouse. I enjoy sharing > > space w/this little critter and bring tidbits to > feed on occassion. However, I > > believe some of my colleagues are uncomfortable > with her underfoot and are > > asking about a relocation program. > > > > The question is: Do you suppose this mouse would > be happier being moved to the > > outdoors and will she be able to make a living in > the wild after having lived > > for an unknown period of time indoors. I know mice > have a social organization > > but I don't know if this mouse would be able to > find a niche. I am also > > concerned that other wild mice would be > territorial and try to kill her. > > > > Summarily, should I leave this little mouse as is > or move her to the outdoors? > > One relevant question is: What species of mouse? > > The mice that invade houses or offices are usually, > but not always, House Mice > (Mus musculus), native to Asia but now distributed > worldwide. They live > outdoors in warm climates but are not AFAIK "winter > hardy" in colder regions. > Laboratory mice are domesticated House Mice. > > "Field mice" usually refers to voles (many species > of Microtus and allied > genera). Most of those have short tails. They > don't usually invade buildings. > > There are also deer mice and whitefooted mice (many > species of Peromyscus) which > sometimes do move into houses though they are more > at home in the fields and > especially the woods. They have big button eyes and > white feet and are "cuter" > than House Mice. > > If your office is in a laboratory setting there > might be legitimate concern > about the possibility of transmission of diseases or > parasites from a wild mouse > to the laboratory colony. > > Otherwise I would probably try to win my colleagues > over . > > John > -- > Dr. John Burchard > Tepe Gawra Salukis > http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ > saluqi@ix.netcom.com > CeAnn Lambert Indiana Coyote Rescue Center www.coyoterescue.org __________________________________ Discover Yahoo! Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out! http://discover.yahoo.com/stayintouch.html * E. Wayne Johnson DVM 302 Animal Sciences Laboratory 1207 West Gregory Drive Urbana, Illinois 61801 217 778 9961 mobile 217 367 8252 home 217 333 8286 fax From: IN%"saluqi@ix.netcom.com" "John Burchard" 12-JUN-2005 09:21:41.18 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied ethology list" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse Rick Bogle wrote: > In a very small area of the country where hantavirus is known, there could be some slight health risk to having a mouse living nearby. If the rodent in question is living in a modern office building, then the overall risk must be very slim. More details are needed, of course. Unless I am mistaken, Mus musculus (house mouse) is not a carrier of hantavirus. Peromyscus can be, I think. This mouse is (pending further information) very likely a house mouse. > But, it is possible that if the building is a modern concrete structure it probably has all the wiring in metal conduit. It is very possible that there are not many other mice where only one has been seen. A concrete or metal building could easily be such a poor niche that only a few mice could make a living there. If the building is really mouse-unfriendly the mouse is quite likely to try to correct that by making a nest somewhere. That "somewhere" will of course be unseen and may offer a big unpleasant surprise when somebody opens one of those old file boxes ... > The notion that mice are vermin and should be destroyed on sight is an idea born out of the days of poor construction methods and poor sanitation. I have personally been in offices where a mouse was seen only once or twice. He or she must have been unable to find much food and simply left. If one were to feed such a visitor, it might return. This would be no reason to assume that the mice were taking over. Just be careful about the amount of food you leave. A few crumbs are a lot to a mouse. Mice may not need much food, but they need it frequently and regularly. They are small, with a high metabolic rate, and not well equipped to deal with food deprivation of more than short duration. One reason people object to house mice is that wherever they go, they deposit urine with a characteristic pungent odor. That's useful for the mice, who follow the scent trails, but objectionable to most householders . Another objection is that they will get into food and spoil it. I have known house mice to gnaw through the side of a large, hard plastic covered bin in which I stored dog food. In older buildings they gnaw holes in walls and floors, and may damage electrical wiring or even cause fires. In my house (an old decrepit "mouse friendly" building ) a house mouse wandered into my bedroom (far from kitchen or any source of food or water), climbed to the top of a free standing clothing rack, and made a nest inside a valuable sweater lying folded there, completely destroying the sweater (which had never been worn). Concrete and sheet metal usually deter mice. Rats have been known to gnaw through even those. John -- Dr. John Burchard Tepe Gawra Salukis http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ saluqi@ix.netcom.com From: IN%"margory@rcn.com" "margory cohen" 12-JUN-2005 18:04:21.09 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied ethology list" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse John Burchard Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2005 8:18 AM > Concrete and sheet metal usually deter mice. Rats have been known to gnaw through even those. margory: Ah - now we come to why any mouse I should think continues to be a threat to healthy conditions -- because the mice are prey for bigger mice, i.e., rats and rats I'm afraid have a harder reputation to fend off. It is also I think not just where they are, when they turn up; it's where they've been. I think one were to see some of these critters in their usual haunts, then when they turn up some place else, perhaps by slipping thru a carelessly left open door, their innocence would take on a different look. -margory cohen San Francisco From: IN%"Michalchik@aol.com" 12-JUN-2005 18:23:38.55 To: IN%"margory@rcn.com", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse In a message dated 6/12/2005 5:05:37 PM Pacific Standard Time, margory@rcn.com writes: Ah - now we come to why any mouse I should think continues to be a threat to healthy conditions -- because the mice are prey for bigger mice, i.e., rats and rats I'm afraid have a harder reputation to fend off. It is also I think not just where they are, when they turn up; it's where they've been. I think one were to see some of these critters in their usual haunts, then when they turn up some place else, perhaps by slipping thru a carelessly left open door, their innocence would take on a different look. -margory cohen San Francisco Sadly, in addition to problems with destruction and contamination of food stuffs, wild mice in have been linked to outbreaks of Hanta Virus in America and east Asia. This is a rare but very nasty disease, fast and lethal, somewhat like ebola. _http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/_ (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/) rabies also remains a danger for any unvaccinated mammal _http://edcp.org/factsheets/rab_fsht.html_ (http://edcp.org/factsheets/rab_fsht.html) From: IN%"cindysharkbait@yahoo.com" "cindy schulze" 13-JUN-2005 06:18:39.68 To: IN%"ewj@uiuc.edu" "E. Wayne Johnson", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse Of course, killing the mouse is the most expedient and obvious solution. However, I don't want to dispatch the mouse because I believe all sentient creatures have as much a right to live as I do and I see no difference between killing a mouse or a human. I believe killing either is morally wrong. I have a profound respect for all living creatures, and seek ways to co-exist harmoniously as possible with the plethora of different species we share this planet with. I will take great pains to avoid any contamination from this creature. I do realize they carry many germs and disease. "E. Wayne Johnson" wrote: If you don't want to dispatch the verminous invaders yourself because you think they are cute, it is probably time to seek professional assistance. (at least with the removal of the mice). Wayne Cindy SchulzeClick on the "Feed an Animal in Need" button at http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ and give food to an animal living in a shelter or sanctuary -- at no cost to you. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From: IN%"saluqi@ix.netcom.com" "John Burchard" 13-JUN-2005 13:49:56.81 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied ethology list" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse Michael Michalchik wrote: > Sadly, in addition to problems with destruction and contamination of food stuffs, wild mice in have been linked to outbreaks of Hanta Virus in America and east Asia. This is a rare but very nasty disease, fast and lethal, somewhat like ebola. > > http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/ Very nasty disease, yes. Like Ebola, not quite . According to the CDC site, the only known carriers in the U.S. are species of Peromyscys (deer and white-footed mice), Sigmodon (cotton rat) and Oryzomys (rice rat). All those are cricetines. The murines (including house mice and rats) are not implicated as vectors, at least in the New World. > rabies also remains a danger for any unvaccinated mammal > > http://edcp.org/factsheets/rab_fsht.html True, but the role of rodents, other than the woodchuck, in rabies transmission is really negligible, as that web site points out. In order to become infected and transmit rabies, a mammal has first to survive being bitten by another rabid mammal. Mice don't often survive being bitten by dogs, cats, foxes etc. . John -- Dr. John Burchard Tepe Gawra Salukis http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ saluqi@ix.netcom.com From: IN%"datakoll@yahoo.com" "gene daniels" 13-JUN-2005 15:18:12.17 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: office mouse gene daniels wrote:buy a cat! get one with oocyctes. Michalchik@aol.com wrote: In a message dated 6/12/2005 5:05:37 PM Pacific Standard Time, margory@rcn.com writes: Ah - now we come to why any mouse I should think continues to be a threat to healthy conditions -- because the mice are prey for bigger mice, i.e., rats and rats I'm afraid have a harder reputation to fend off. It is also I think not just where they are, when they turn up; it's where they've been. I think one were to see some of these critters in their usual haunts, then when they turn up some place else, perhaps by slipping thru a carelessly left open door, their innocence would take on a different look. -margory cohen San Francisco Sadly, in addition to problems with destruction and contamination of food stuffs, wild mice in have been linked to outbreaks of Hanta Virus in America and east Asia. This is a rare but very nasty disease, fast and lethal, somewhat like ebola. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/ rabies also remains a danger for any unvaccinated mammal http://edcp.org/factsheets/rab_fsht.html From: IN%"Michalchik@aol.com" 13-JUN-2005 15:36:36.88 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Dangerrrr: cats could alter your personality --Boundary_(ID_7uTjWvvoLdukuYpUTqN2pQ) Content-type: multipart/alternative; boundary="Boundary_(ID_SVzijR5EL0G7ZzuvM1M2JA)" --Boundary_(ID_SVzijR5EL0G7ZzuvM1M2JA) Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT --Boundary_(ID_SVzijR5EL0G7ZzuvM1M2JA) Content-type: text/html; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
 
 --Boundary_(ID_SVzijR5EL0G7ZzuvM1M2JA)-- --Boundary_(ID_7uTjWvvoLdukuYpUTqN2pQ) Content-type: message/rfc822 Return-path: Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 17:34:15 EDT From: Michalchik@aol.com Subject: Dangerrrr: cats could alter your personality To: ocsages@yahoogroups.com, beachjade@gmail.com Cc: Message-id: <127.5e25cf2a.2fdf55d7@aol.com> MIME-version: 1.0 X-Mailer: 9.0 SE for Windows sub 5011 Content-type: multipart/alternative; boundary="Boundary_(ID_tKQ8ONWcyD583OGN+QCUHA)" Full-name: Michalchik --Boundary_(ID_tKQ8ONWcyD583OGN+QCUHA) Content-type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-language: en Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable =20 There are actually quite a few scientific studies behind this popular=20 account. They are all obviously correlational and not causal. But the studi= es are =20 published in good journals and done by several different groups in the US,=20 France and Cz.=20 =20 I have long thought that it is evolutionarily likely that our species is=20 infected with a host of parasites and "benign" infections that compromise o= ur=20 health in subtle ways that only show up after years. I think this may accou= nt =20 for part of the pandemic of autoimmune, CFD, allergy and emotional disorder= s=20 that seem on the rise. I also think these low level infections may be part=20= of=20 what we call (normal aging). =20 Though in this case the vector is a the cat. I also think it is likely that= =20 the biggest source of these infections are other humans, especially in a=20 global society like ours. This, I think, is one of the strongest arguments=20= for=20 sexual conservatism and terminal monogamy (as opposed to serial monogamy). =20 BTW This is not sufficient reason to not have cats or other pets because pe= t=20 ownership has been shown to cause a net improvement in health in a variety=20 of controlled and epidemiological studies. Whatever pets infect us with it= is=20 not as powerful as the emotional support they give us. =20 _http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8122-826557_2,00.html_=20 (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8122-826557_2,00.html)=20 =20 Dangerrrr: cats could alter your personality Jonathan Leake, Science Editor THEY may look like lovable pets but Britain's estimated 9m domestic=20 cats are being blamed by scientists for infecting up to half the population= with=20 a parasite that can alter people=E2=80=99s personalities. =20 The startling figures emerge from studies into toxoplasma gondii, a parasit= e=20 carried by almost all the country=E2=80=99s feline population. They show th= at half=20 of Britain's human population carry the parasite in their brains, and that= =20 infected people may undergo slow but crucial changes in their behaviour. =20 Infected men, suggests one new study, tend to become more aggressive,=20 scruffy, antisocial and are less attractive. Women, on the other hand, appe= ar to=20 exhibit the =E2=80=9Csex kitten=E2=80=9D effect, becoming less trustworthy,= more desirable,=20 fun- loving and possibly more promiscuous. =20 Interestingly, for those who draw glib conclusions about national =20 stereotypes, the number of people infected in France is much higher than in= the UK. =20 The findings will not please cat lovers. The research =E2=80=94 conducted a= t=20 universities in Britain, the Czech Republic and America =E2=80=94 was spons= ored by the=20 Stanley Research Medical Institute of Maryland, a leading centre for the st= udy of=20 mental illness. The institute has already published research showing that=20 people infected with the toxoplasma parasite are at greater risk of develop= ing=20 schizophrenia and manic depression. =20 The study into more subtle changes in human personality is being carried ou= t=20 by Professor Jaroslav Flegr of Charles University in Prague. In one study h= e=20 subjected more than 300 volunteers to personality profiling while also=20 testing them for toxoplasma. =20 He found the women infected with toxoplasma spent more money on clothes and= =20 were consistently rated as more attractive. =E2=80=9CWe found they were mor= e=20 easy-going, more warm-hearted, had more friends and cared more about how th= ey looked,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CHowever, they were also less trustworthy and had more=20 relationships with men.=E2=80=9D =20 By contrast, the infected men appeared to suffer from the =E2=80=9Calley ca= t=E2=80=9D=20 effect: becoming less well groomed undesirable loners who were more willing= to=20 fight. They were more likely to be suspicious and jealous. =E2=80=9CThey te= nded to=20 dislike following rules,=E2=80=9D Flegr said. =20 He also discovered that people infected with toxoplasma had delayed reactio= n=20 times =E2=80=94 and are at greater risk of being involved in car accidents.= =E2=80=9C Toxoplasma infection, could represent a serious and highly underestimated e= conomic=20 and public health problem,=E2=80=9D he said.=E2=80=9D =20 In Britain, concern over toxoplasma is growing among health experts =E2=80= =94=20 especially as the number of pet cats has grown to about 9m. Roland Salmon,=20= an=20 epidemiologist with the National Public Health Service for Wales, said:=20= =E2=80=9CThe=20 evidence is that cats are the main cause of infection.=E2=80=9D =20 Toxoplasma moves in a natural cycle between rats and cats. Rats acquire it=20 from contact with cat faeces and cats reacquire it from hunting infected ra= ts.=20 It has long been known that humans can become infected with the parasite=20 through close contact with cats. =20 Pregnant women are advised to keep clear of the animals because the parasit= e=20 can damage unborn babies. People with damaged immune systems, such as Aids=20 victims, are also vulnerable. =20 Until now, however, the parasite has always been thought harmless to health= y=20 people because their immune systems could suppress the infection. But this=20 view seems certain to change, especially in the light of research at Oxford= =20 University. =20 Scientists there have found that when the parasite invades rats it somehow=20 reprograms their brains, reversing their natural fear of cats. It is this s= ame=20 ability to destroy natural inhibitions that is thought to be at work in=20 humans. =20 Doctors Manuel Berdoy and Joanne Webster at Oxford University are studying=20 how toxoplasma alters rat behaviour and the chemical weapons it uses to=20 subvert the brain. =20 Berdoy said: =E2=80=9CThe fact that a single-celled parasite can have such=20= an effect=20 on the mammalian or even human brain is amazing.=E2=80=9D =20 One startling fact to emerge from research is the great differences in=20 levels of infection. In France and Germany, for example, about 80%-90% of =20= people=20 are infected =E2=80=94 nearly twice that in Britain or America. =20 =E2=80=9CI am French and I have even wondered if there is an effect on nati= onal=20 character,=E2=80=9D Berdoy said. =20 Dr Dominique Soldati, a researcher at Imperial College in London, is=20 studying ways of blocking toxoplasma from getting into cells. =E2=80=9COnce= you are infected=20 you cannot get rid of this parasite and the numbers of them slowly grow ove= r=20 the years,=E2=80=9D she said. =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s not a nice thought.= =E2=80=9D --Boundary_(ID_tKQ8ONWcyD583OGN+QCUHA) Content-type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Content-language: en Content-transfer-encoding: QUOTED-PRINTABLE =0D= =0A=0D=0A=0D=0A=0D=0A=0D=0A
=0D=0A=0D=0A = =0D=0A =0D=0A =0D=0A =0D=0A =0D=0A =0D=0A =
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There are actually quite a =0D=0A = few scientific studies behind this popular account. They are all = =0D=0A obviously correlational and not causal. But the stu= dies are =0D=0A published in good journals and done by sev= eral different groups in =0D=0A the US, France and Cz.
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I have long thought that it =0D=0A = is evolutionarily likely that our species is infected with a host= of =0D=0A parasites and "benign" infections that compromi= se our health in =0D=0A subtle ways that only show up afte= r years. I think this may account =0D=0A for part of the&n= bsp;pandemic of autoimmune, CFD, allergy and =0D=0A emotio= nal disorders that seem on the rise. I also think these low =0D=0A = level infections may be part of what we call (normal aging).= =0D=0A
=0D=0A
 
=0D=0A =
Though in this case = the =0D=0A vector is a the cat. I also think it is likely = that the biggest =0D=0A source of these infections are oth= er humans, especially in a global =0D=0A society like ours= . This, I think, is one of the strongest arguments =0D=0A = for sexual conservatism and terminal monogamy (as opposed to = =0D=0A serial monogamy).
=0D=0A =
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BTW = This is not sufficient =0D=0A reason to not have cats or o= ther pets because pet ownership has been =0D=0A shown to c= ause a net improvement in health in a variety of =0D=0A co= ntrolled and epidemiological studies. Whatever pets infect us with = =0D=0A it is not as powerful as the emotional support they= give =0D=0A us.
=0D=0A  
= =0D=0A =0D=0A
 
=0D=0A =
Dangerrrr: cats could alter your =0D= =0A personality
Jonathan Le= ake, Science =0D=0A Editor
3D""
=0D=0A =0D=0A =0D=0A =0D=0A
THEY may look like lovable pets = =0D=0A but Britain's estimated 9m domestic cats are being = blamed by =0D=0A scientists for infecting up to half the p= opulation with a parasite =0D=0A that can alter people= =E2=80=99s personalities. =0D=0A

=0D=0A =

=0D=0A =0D=0A = =0D=0A =0D=0A =0D=0A =0D= =0A
The st= artling figures =0D=0A emerge from studies into toxoplasma= gondii, a parasite carried by =0D=0A almost all the count= ry=E2=80=99s feline population. They show that half of =0D=0A = Britain's human population carry the parasite in their brains, an= d =0D=0A that infected people may undergo slow but crucial= changes in their =0D=0A behaviour. =0D=0A

I= nfected men, suggests one new study, tend to become more =0D=0A = aggressive, scruffy, antisocial and are less attractive. Women,= on =0D=0A the other hand, appear to exhibit the =E2=80= =9Csex kitten=E2=80=9D effect, becoming =0D=0A less trustw= orthy, more desirable, fun- loving and possibly more =0D=0A = promiscuous. =0D=0A

Interestingly, for those who draw= glib conclusions about national =0D=0A stereotypes, the n= umber of people infected in France is much higher =0D=0A t= han in the UK. =0D=0A

The findings will not please cat = lovers. The research =E2=80=94 conducted =0D=0A at univers= ities in Britain, the Czech Republic and America =E2=80=94 was =0D= =0A sponsored by the Stanley Research Medical Institute of= Maryland, a =0D=0A leading centre for the study of mental= illness. The institute has =0D=0A already published resea= rch showing that people infected with the =0D=0A toxoplasm= a parasite are at greater risk of developing schizophrenia =0D=0A = and manic depression. =0D=0A

The study into mor= e subtle changes in human personality is being =0D=0A carr= ied out by Professor Jaroslav Flegr of Charles University in =0D=0A = Prague. In one study he subjected more than 300 volunteers = to =0D=0A personality profiling while also testing them fo= r toxoplasma. =0D=0A

He found the women infected with t= oxoplasma spent more money on =0D=0A clothes and were cons= istently rated as more attractive. =E2=80=9CWe found =0D=0A = they were more easy-going, more warm-hearted, had more friends and = =0D=0A cared more about how they looked,=E2=80=9D he said.= =E2=80=9CHowever, they were also =0D=0A less trustworthy = and had more relationships with men.=E2=80=9D =0D=0A

By= contrast, the infected men appeared to suffer from the =E2=80=9Calle= y =0D=0A cat=E2=80=9D effect: becoming less well groomed u= ndesirable loners who were =0D=0A more willing to fight. T= hey were more likely to be suspicious and =0D=0A jealous. = =E2=80=9CThey tended to dislike following rules,=E2=80=9D Flegr said.= =0D=0A

He also discovered that people infected with to= xoplasma had =0D=0A delayed reaction times =E2=80=94 and a= re at greater risk of being involved =0D=0A in car acciden= ts. =E2=80=9CToxoplasma infection, could represent a serious =0D=0A = and highly underestimated economic and public health proble= m,=E2=80=9D he =0D=0A said.=E2=80=9D =0D=0A

= In Britain, concern over toxoplasma is growing among health =0D=0A = experts =E2=80=94 especially as the number of pet cats has g= rown to about =0D=0A 9m. Roland Salmon, an epidemiologist = with the National Public Health =0D=0A Service for Wales, = said: =E2=80=9CThe evidence is that cats are the main =0D=0A = cause of infection.=E2=80=9D =0D=0A

Toxoplasma moves= in a natural cycle between rats and cats. Rats =0D=0A acq= uire it from contact with cat faeces and cats reacquire it from =0D= =0A hunting infected rats. It has long been known that hum= ans can become =0D=0A infected with the parasite through c= lose contact with cats. =0D=0A

Pregnant women are advis= ed to keep clear of the animals because =0D=0A the parasit= e can damage unborn babies. People with damaged immune =0D=0A = systems, such as Aids victims, are also vulnerable. =0D=0A =

Until now, however, the parasite has always been thought harm= less =0D=0A to healthy people because their immune systems= could suppress the =0D=0A infection. But this view seems = certain to change, especially in the =0D=0A light of resea= rch at Oxford University. =0D=0A

Scientists there have = found that when the parasite invades rats =0D=0A it someho= w reprograms their brains, reversing their natural fear of =0D=0A = cats. It is this same ability to destroy natural inhibitions = that is =0D=0A thought to be at work in humans.

=0D= =0A

Doctors Manuel Berdoy and Jo= anne Webster at =0D=0A Oxford University are studying how = toxoplasma alters rat behaviour =0D=0A and the chemical we= apons it uses to subvert the brain.

=0D=0A

Berdoy s= aid: =E2=80=9CThe fact that a single-celled parasite can have =0D= =0A such an effect on the mammalian or even human brain is= amazing.=E2=80=9D =0D=0A

=0D=0A =0D=0A =0D=0A =0D=0A = =0D=0A = =0D=0A
One startling fact to =0D=0A em= erge from research is the great differences in levels of =0D=0A = infection. In France and Germany, for example, about 80%-90% of= =0D=0A people are infected =E2=80=94 nearly twice that in= Britain or America. =0D=0A

=E2=80=9CI am French and I = have even wondered if there is an effect on =0D=0A nationa= l character,=E2=80=9D Berdoy said. =0D=0A

Dr Dominique = Soldati, a researcher at Imperial College in London, =0D=0A = is studying ways of blocking toxoplasma from getting into cells. = =0D=0A =E2=80=9COnce you are infected you cannot get rid o= f this parasite and the =0D=0A numbers of them slowly grow= over the years,=E2=80=9D she said. =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s not a =0D= =0A nice =0D=0Athought.=E2=80=9D

=0D=0A= --Boundary_(ID_tKQ8ONWcyD583OGN+QCUHA)-- --Boundary_(ID_7uTjWvvoLdukuYpUTqN2pQ)-- From: IN%"Carol.Petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au" "Petherick, Carol" 14-JUN-2005 19:25:23.16 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "ethology" CC: Subj: Notice of conference All Please see below information on a conference in Queensland Australia later this year that may be of interest to some. Circles of Compassion: Human-Animal Relationships, Welfare & Wellbeing December 1 & 2, 2005 Rydges Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, Queensland This conference aims to bring together academics, service providers, frontline workers and other interested parties to share information on links between human directed abuse and animal directed abuse. We are particularly interested in submissions which deal with the following areas: * Links between interpersonal violence (including domestic violence and child abuse) and harm to animals * Chilldhood attitudes to, and treatment of, animals and implications for adult behaviour * Links between relationships with animals and human health and well being (e.g., Humane Education & Animal Assisted Therapy) * Policy implications and practice regarding the above Academic and community-based researchers, activists, service providers and frontline workers in human and/or animal welfare areas are invited to submit an abstract for either a 20 minute conference paper or proposals for roundtable discussions. It is particularly important that roundtable proposals focus on practical issues and the possibilities for new public policies and/or the future of interagency co-operation. Detailed registration information will be available in August 2005 At this stage please contact Dr Nik Taylor with either: * Abstract for paper presentation (up to 300 words; electronic format only) * All submissions will be peer reviewed CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS 15th OF JULY, 2005 * Suggestion for roundtable discussion topic and/or details of panel members Dr Nik Taylor, School of Psychology & Sociology Central Queensland University Rockhampton QLD 4701 Phone: (07) 4930 9433 Fax: (07) 4930 6460 Email: n.taylor@cqu.edu.au ********************************DISCLAIMER**************************** The information contained in the above e-mail message or messages (which includes any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the addressee any form of disclosure, copying, modification, distribution or any action taken or omitted in reliance on the information is unauthorised. Opinions contained in the message(s) do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Queensland Government and its authorities. If you received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your computer system network. From: IN%"Carol.Petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au" "Petherick, Carol" 15-JUN-2005 01:19:59.75 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "ethology" CC: Subj: Info on alternatives to invasive procedures Thanks to all those who provided me with information - I greatly appreciate it. Carol "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Mahatma Gandhi Carol Petherick Principal Scientist (Animal Behaviour and Welfare) Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries PO Box 6014, Central Qld Mail Centre N. Rockhampton Queensland 4702 Australia Telephone +61 (0)7 4936 0331; Fax +61 (0)7 4936 0390 Email carol.petherick@dpi.qld.gov.au Website www.dpi.qld.gov.au Call Centre 13 25 23 ********************************DISCLAIMER**************************** The information contained in the above e-mail message or messages (which includes any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the addressee any form of disclosure, copying, modification, distribution or any action taken or omitted in reliance on the information is unauthorised. Opinions contained in the message(s) do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Queensland Government and its authorities. If you received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete it from your computer system network. From: IN%"g.nijs@clo.fgov.be" "Griet Nijs" 15-JUN-2005 06:35:35.85 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: training sniffer animals Dear colleagues, I'm currently working on a project concerning the detection of boar taint in pigs. We're investigating the possibility to use 'sniffer animals'(probably rats) for this purpose. Since we have no real experience in training animals for such purposes, I wondered if any one could provide me with some information about training schedules, practical problems or other useful information on the training and handling of 'sniffer animals'. They should be able to detect boar taint on live animals as well as in meat/fat samples. Is clicker training an option? Thank you in advance. Yours sincerely, Griet Nijs Scientific researcher Ministry of the Flemish Community Department of Mechanisation - Labour - Buildings - Animal Welfare and Environmental Protection (DVL) Agricultural Research Centre (CLO-Ghent) Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 115 9820 Merelbeke Belgium email: g.nijs@clo.fgov.be