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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intraspecific social exposure (socialization vs rest) and habituation factors on the levels of urinary serotonin and cortisol [corrected respectively for creatinine to give the serotonin-creatinine ratio (5-HT/Cr) and cortisol-creatinine ratio (C/Cr)] and how they fluctuate in dogs. The frequency of marking during social sessions was recorded to evaluate its relationship with physiological parameters. The effects of covariates on 5-HT/Cr and C/Cr were assessed using a linear mixed models. 5-HT/Cr values were higher at dawn than at dusk during resting days, however, this difference is less evident after socialization sessions. During rest days, there was a trend for a decrease in C/Cr between dawn and dusk, while during social exposure days there was an opposite trend. Significant interactions were found between social exposure vs rest (P = 0.0005) and social exposure vs sessions (P = 0.002). Urine marking was more frequent in male than female dogs. The frequency of urine marking also appeared to be positively associated with C/Cr. Non-invasive monitoring of physiological markers could be a useful tool in assessing behaviour modulation following intraspecific socialization exposure. C/Cr was characterized by high individual variability and interactions with examined factors. The identification of new markers such as serotonin for assessing welfare in dogs is highly desirable. • The aim of this study was to evaluate how urinary serotonin and cortisol fluctuate in dogs • Serotonin values were higher at dawn than at dusk, however, this difference is less evident after socialization sessions. • Significant interactions were found for cortisol between social exposure vs rest and social exposure vs sessions. • The identification of new markers such as serotonin for assessing welfare in dogs is highly desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of moderate treadmill exercise session on body surface and core temperature in dog measured by means of two infrared instruments. Ten Jack Russell Terrier/Miniature Pinscher mixed-breed dogs were subjected to 15 min of walking, 10 min of trotting and 10 min of gallop. At every step, body surface temperature (T surface ) was measured on seven regions (neck, shoulder, ribs, flank, back, internal thigh and eye) using two different methods, a digital infrared camera (ThermaCam P25) and a non-contact infrared thermometer (Infrared Thermometer THM010-VT001). Rectal temperature (T rectal ) and blood samples were collected before (T0) and after exercise (T3). Blood samples were tested for red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct). A significant effect of exercise in all body surface regions was found, as measured by both infrared methods. The temperature obtained in the eye and the thigh area were higher with respect to the other studied regions throughout the experimental period (P<0.0001). RBC, Hb, Hct and T rectal values were higher at T3 (P<0.05). Statistically significant higher temperature values measured by infrared thermometer was found in neck, shoulder, ribs, flank, back regions respect to the values obtained by digital infrared camera (P<0.0001). The results obtained in this study showed that both internal and surface temperatures are influenced by physical exercise probably due to muscle activity and changes in blood flow in dogs. Both infrared instruments used in this study have proven to be useful in detecting surface temperature variations of specific body regions, however factors including type and color of animal hair coat must be taken into account in the interpretation of data obtained by thermography methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]