Use of triaxial accelerometers and machine learning algorithms for behavioural identification to assess the effectiveness of a joint supplement in old domestic cats (Felis catus) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc (Animal Science), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| dc.contributor.author | Liu, Yuting | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-10-16T22:03:40Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-10-16T22:03:40Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.description | Figures 1-1, 1-2, 1-5, 1-6 & 1-7 are re-used with permission; Figures 1-3 & 1-4 are re-used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. | |
| dc.description.abstract | Osteoarthrosis has a 90% prevalence rate in older cats and adversely affects quality of life. Long-term administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is usually required, but can have adverse effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea and kidney failure. Nutraceuticals have been shown to relieve joint pain in cats without such side effects, however, due to differences in dose rates and formulations there is no consensus within the academic community as to their efficacy. Most studies have utilised subjective measures such as veterinary or owner-assessed changes in activity, which are not very sensitive. Accelerometers can provide objective data on cat activity and have recently been shown to identify specific behaviours (Smit et al., 2023). In the present study, triaxial accelerometers (ActiGraph®, Pensacola, FL, USA) were fitted to the collars of the cats for 20 weeks to assess activity and behaviour. Two groups (n=8 per group) of old cats (aged 11-16 years; Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ) were fed the same diet (Chef: Kraft Heinz Wattie’s Ltd., Hastings, NZ) for four weeks to collect baseline acceleration data. The 16 cats selected for the main study were then divided into two groups balanced for physical activity. The test group received a joint supplement added to the baseline diet while the control group were fed the diet unsupplemented for 16 weeks. The commercial joint supplement contained glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, curcumin and green-lipped mussel (Tandem, Wellington, NZ). The aim was to assess the effectiveness of the joint supplement in maintaining or promoting activity and specific behaviours in the cats. Overall physical activity was not different between groups at baseline but was higher over the study in the test group compared to the control animals (P<0.03). Grooming, as identified by the algorithm, showed a tendency (P=0.051) to be higher in the test group than in the control. These results suggest that the supplement had a positive effect on both overall activity and more specifically on grooming behaviour in old cats. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/71744 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Massey University | |
| dc.rights | The author | en |
| dc.title | Use of triaxial accelerometers and machine learning algorithms for behavioural identification to assess the effectiveness of a joint supplement in old domestic cats (Felis catus) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc (Animal Science), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand | |
| dc.type | Thesis |