Journal of Animal Health and Behavioural Science

Lee Robertson

Publications

• Research Article
  Olfactory Mediation of Canine Gastrointestinal Neurobiology
  Author(s): Terry E Brady, Sarah K Abood, Rachel Tinker-Kulberg, Kristen Dellinger, Melinda KM Goddard, Lee Robertson and Anthony Lee DellingerTerry E Brady, Sarah K Abood, Rachel Tinker-Kulberg, Kristen Dellinger, Melinda KM Goddard, Lee Robertson and Anthony Lee Dellinger
  
  Dogs sniff the ground in advance of defecation, irrespective of sex, breed and location. This discussion proposes that canines are not casual “sniffers,” but are rather evolutionarily predisposed to search for particular molecules that activate gastrointestinal neurobiology and physiology via olfaction. Given that canines possess an extremely discriminating olfactory system, it is further proposed that specific scent-stimuli prompt defecation. Such olfactory responses may have been imprinted genetically or always instinctive and manifested in behaviour, biology and physiology (including the vomeronasal organ). Specifically, the canine sphincter reflex and final peristalsis appear to be scent-mediated through synaptic neurobiology, triggered by a specific family of organic aromatic amines. However, as dogs have been making the transition from rural-to suburban-to urban sett.. Read More»
  

  Abstract PDF