Behavioral, Physiological, and Pathological Approaches of Cortisol in Dogs

Cortisol, an essential glucocorticoid hormone, is crucial in regulating the stress response and maintaining physiological and behavioral homeostasis in mammals, including dogs. This review explores cortisol’s physiological and behavioral role in canines, focusing on its effects on stress, immune fun...

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Main Authors: Sorin Marian Mârza, Camelia Munteanu, Ionel Papuc, Lăcătuş Radu, Petraru Diana, Robert Cristian Purdoiu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3536
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author Sorin Marian Mârza
Camelia Munteanu
Ionel Papuc
Lăcătuş Radu
Petraru Diana
Robert Cristian Purdoiu
author_facet Sorin Marian Mârza
Camelia Munteanu
Ionel Papuc
Lăcătuş Radu
Petraru Diana
Robert Cristian Purdoiu
author_sort Sorin Marian Mârza
collection DOAJ
description Cortisol, an essential glucocorticoid hormone, is crucial in regulating the stress response and maintaining physiological and behavioral homeostasis in mammals, including dogs. This review explores cortisol’s physiological and behavioral role in canines, focusing on its effects on stress, immune function, and metabolism. Various methods of measuring cortisol levels in dogs, invasive (blood, saliva, urine) and non-invasive (hair, fecal assays), are discussed regarding their accuracy and practical applications. The review also highlights the influence of different environmental factors, such as shelter conditions, human interaction, and music, on cortisol levels in dogs. Furthermore, the clinical and behavioral implications of abnormal cortisol levels are examined, with particular attention to conditions like Cushing’s disease and stress-related behavioral issues. The findings emphasize the importance of cortisol monitoring in veterinary practice and animal welfare, proposing future research directions to improve canine health and stress management.
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series Animals
spelling doaj-art-f5ab2e4a3ec841a8a99ddfd06f273b752025-08-20T01:55:26ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-12-011423353610.3390/ani14233536Behavioral, Physiological, and Pathological Approaches of Cortisol in DogsSorin Marian Mârza0Camelia Munteanu1Ionel Papuc2Lăcătuş Radu3Petraru Diana4Robert Cristian Purdoiu5Clinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaBiology Section, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaClinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaClinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaClinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaClinical Sciences Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaCortisol, an essential glucocorticoid hormone, is crucial in regulating the stress response and maintaining physiological and behavioral homeostasis in mammals, including dogs. This review explores cortisol’s physiological and behavioral role in canines, focusing on its effects on stress, immune function, and metabolism. Various methods of measuring cortisol levels in dogs, invasive (blood, saliva, urine) and non-invasive (hair, fecal assays), are discussed regarding their accuracy and practical applications. The review also highlights the influence of different environmental factors, such as shelter conditions, human interaction, and music, on cortisol levels in dogs. Furthermore, the clinical and behavioral implications of abnormal cortisol levels are examined, with particular attention to conditions like Cushing’s disease and stress-related behavioral issues. The findings emphasize the importance of cortisol monitoring in veterinary practice and animal welfare, proposing future research directions to improve canine health and stress management.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3536cortisoldogsstressCushing’s diseasecortisol measurementbehavior
spellingShingle Sorin Marian Mârza
Camelia Munteanu
Ionel Papuc
Lăcătuş Radu
Petraru Diana
Robert Cristian Purdoiu
Behavioral, Physiological, and Pathological Approaches of Cortisol in Dogs
Animals
cortisol
dogs
stress
Cushing’s disease
cortisol measurement
behavior
title Behavioral, Physiological, and Pathological Approaches of Cortisol in Dogs
title_full Behavioral, Physiological, and Pathological Approaches of Cortisol in Dogs
title_fullStr Behavioral, Physiological, and Pathological Approaches of Cortisol in Dogs
title_full_unstemmed Behavioral, Physiological, and Pathological Approaches of Cortisol in Dogs
title_short Behavioral, Physiological, and Pathological Approaches of Cortisol in Dogs
title_sort behavioral physiological and pathological approaches of cortisol in dogs
topic cortisol
dogs
stress
Cushing’s disease
cortisol measurement
behavior
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3536
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AT cameliamunteanu behavioralphysiologicalandpathologicalapproachesofcortisolindogs
AT ionelpapuc behavioralphysiologicalandpathologicalapproachesofcortisolindogs
AT lacatusradu behavioralphysiologicalandpathologicalapproachesofcortisolindogs
AT petrarudiana behavioralphysiologicalandpathologicalapproachesofcortisolindogs
AT robertcristianpurdoiu behavioralphysiologicalandpathologicalapproachesofcortisolindogs