Serum oxytocin and lipid levels of dogs with maternal cannibalism

Maternal cannibalism is a condition whereby a dam consumes her own offspring after killing them. Although biological factors such as low levels of serum oxytocin and lipid levels have been shown to link to failure in maternal behaviors in different animals, underlying mechanisms responsible for abnormal maternal behavior has not yet been investigated in detail in dogs. To fill this gap, this study aimed to investigate serum lipid and oxytocin levels of the dogs having a previous history of maternal cannibalism.
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Source Type: research