Can a facial action coding system (CatFACS) be used to determine the welfare state of cats with cerebellar hypoplasia?

Llewelyn, Helen and Kiddie, Jenna (2022) Can a facial action coding system (CatFACS) be used to determine the welfare state of cats with cerebellar hypoplasia? Veterinary Record, 190 (8). e1079. ISSN 2042-7670

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Background- The impaired motor skills of cats living with cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) suggests they would be unable to practice normal behaviour, one of the five welfare needs. This study aimed to explore the use of facial action coding system (CatFACS) as a welfare assessment tool for cats with CH. Methods- Facial expressions (action units [AUs]) were defined as neutral/positive or negative by recording healthy cats (n = 89) during presumed aversive or relaxed scenarios. CH cats (n = 33) were then filmed and their facial expressions compared to those of the presumed positively- and negatively-valenced healthy cats. Results- Sixteen negative AUs were defined. CH cats performed more of these than healthy cats (p = 0.023) in the relaxed scenario. There was no difference in AU expression between three levels of CH severity (mild, moderate or severe) (p = 0.461). Conclusion- Cats perform distinct AUs when experiencing negatively-valenced arousal, the presence or absence of these AUs could be used to infer the welfare of healthy and CH cats. As there was no difference in AU expression between the three levels of CH severity, the behavioural restrictions CH imposes on cats does not necessarily indicate lower welfare and the reasons why CH cats perform more negatively associated AUs warrant further research.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Faculty:	Faculty of Science & Engineering
Depositing User:	Lisa Blanshard
Date Deposited:	11 Nov 2021 16:02
Last Modified:	13 Jun 2022 14:56
URI:	https://arro.anglia.ac.uk/id/eprint/707094

Actions (login required)

Edit Item