How to evaluate and manage stress in dogs-A guide for veterinary specialist

Stress has a significant impact on the health and well-being of dogs and can seriously affect the quality of daily life, veterinary clinics procedures and shelters routine. That means veterinary specialists need to be armed with valid and convenient tools to assess their patients' stress levels, both behavioral and physiological. For this review we analyzed 128 articles in order to summarize methods of stress assessment in different clinical and experimental environments, as well as methods to alleviate stress. We have also identified the most common forms of stress-related behavior in various situations. Stress in dogs seems to be well studied, but we have not found any universal quantitative and qualitative indicators of stress, nor clear reference intervals even for such a basic stress hormone as cortisol, nor standard generally accepted protocols for the prevention, control and correction of stress in pets. That means an individual approach is necessary for each case. Analysis of the animal's behavior during a veterinary appointment together with collecting a detailed patient history and correct selection and appropriate combination of different physiological stress markers is the most reliable way to interpret psychological state of the dog and make a more accurate diagnosis.

Automated summary

Stress significantly impacts the health and well-being of dogs, requiring veterinary specialists to have valid tools to assess stress levels, which are currently lacking universal indicators and protocols. Individualized approach, behavior observation, and combination of physiological markers are the most reliable ways to interpret the psychological state of dogs.