Coprophagia 7720 225876573 2008-07-15T20:36:34Z Joelmills 794015 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225797927 by [[Special:Contributions/91.110.15.193|91.110.15.193]] ([[User talk:91.110.15.193|talk]]) {{Refimprove|date=May 2008}} '''Coprophagia''' is the consumption of [[feces]], from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''copros'' (feces) and ''phagein'' (eat). Many [[animal]] [[species]] practice naturally coprophagia; other species do not normally consume feces but may do so under unusual conditions. Only in rare cases is it practiced by [[human]]s, usually as a manifestation of [[psychiatric illness]]<ref>http://ageing.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/28/2/233.pdf</ref><!---may need more evidence for a broader and fairer perspective---> or being used in some sexual paraphilic practices.<!---Does this even SOUND right?---> == Coprophagia in animals == [[Image:Dscn3200-2-butterflies.jpg|thumb|right|Two [[Common Blue]] [[Butterfly|butterflies]] feed on a small lump of [[feces]] lying on a rock.]] [[Coprophagous insect]]s consume and [[digestion|redigest]] the [[feces]] of large animals; these feces contain substantial amounts of semi-digested [[food]]. ([[Herbivore]] [[Gastrointestinal tract|digestive systems]] are especially inefficient.) The most famous feces-eating insect is the [[dung-beetle]] and the most [[Omnipresence|ubiquitous]] is the [[fly]]. [[Pigs]] are most commonly associated with eating not only their own [[feces|dung]], but also that of other animals and humans. {{Fact|date=July 2008}} [[Capybara]], [[rabbit]]s, [[hamsters]] and other related species do not have a complex [[ruminant]] digestive system. Instead they extract more [[nutrition]] from [[grass]] by giving their food a second pass through the [[Gastrointestinal tract|gut]]. Soft [[caecal pellet]]s of partially digested food are [[excretion|excreted]] and generally consumed immediately. They also produce normal [[feces|droppings]], which are not eaten. Young [[elephant]]s, [[Giant Panda|pandas]], [[koala]]s, and [[Hippopotamus|hippo]]s eat the feces of their [[mother]] to obtain the [[bacteria]] required to properly digest [[vegetation]] found on the [[savanna]] and in the [[jungle]]. When they are born, their [[intestine]]s do not contain these bacteria (they are completely sterile). Without them, they would be unable to get any nutritional value from [[plant]]s. [[Gorillas]] eat their own feces and the feces of other gorillas. [[Hamsters]] eat their own droppings, which are thought to be a source of [[vitamin]]s [[B vitamins|B]] and [[Vitamin K|K]], produced by bacteria in the gut. [[Ape]]s have been observed eating [[horse]] feces for the [[salt]] content. [[Monkey]]s have been observed eating elephant feces. Coprophagia also has been observed in the [[naked mole rat]]. === Coprophagia in dogs === {{Original research|date=July 2008}} Coprophagia is a behavior often observed in [[dogs]]. Hofmeister, Cumming, and Dhein (2001) wrote that this behavior in dogs has not been well-researched, and they are currently preparing a study. In a [http://home.gci.net/~divs/behavior/coprophagia.html preliminary paper], they write that there are various hypotheses for this behavior in [[canine]]s, although none have been proven: *To obtain attention from their caretakers. *From [[anxiety]], [[stress]], or upon being [[punishment|punished]] for bad behaviors. *They had been punished for having [[defecation|defecated]] in the past, and attempt to clean up out of fear of being punished again. *From [[boredom]]{{dubious}}. *In an attempt to clean up in crowded conditions{{Fact|date=May 2008}}. *[[Mimicry]] of behavior observed when their caretakers pick up feces ([[allelomimetic behavior]]). This is highly improbable because the behavior has also been observed in environments where caretakers never picked up the dog's (or other's) feces. *Because [[puppy|puppies]] taste everything and discover that feces are edible and, perhaps, tasty, especially when fed a high fat content diet. *Because dogs are, by nature, [[scavenger]]s, and this is within the range of scavenger behavior{{Fact|date=May 2008}}. *To prevent the [[scent]] from attracting [[predator]]s, especially [[mother]] dogs eating their [[offspring]]'s feces{{Fact|date=May 2008}}. *Because the texture and [[temperature]] of fresh feces approximates that of [[regurgitation|regurgitated]] food, which is how canine mothers in the wild would provide solid food to their pups *Because of the [[protein]] content of the feces (particularly [[cat]] feces), or over-feeding, leading to large concentrations of undigested matter in the feces{{Fact|date=May 2008}}. *Due to assorted health problems, including: **[[Pancreatitis]] **[[Intestine|Intestinal]] infections **[[Food allergy|Food allergies]], leading to mal-absorption *Because they are [[hunger|hungry]], such as when eating routines are changed, food is withheld, or [[nutrient]]s are not properly absorbed. *[[Carnivore]]s may sometimes eat or roll in the feces of their [[prey]] to [[ingestion|ingest]] and exude scents which mask their own. Some [[veterinarian]]s recommend adding [[meat tenderizer]] to dogfood, as this makes the feces taste excessively bad to dogs. Several companies produce [[food additive]]s that can also be added to the animal's food to make feces taste bad.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} Often, these food additives will contain Capsicum Oleoresin which gives off a repugnant odor making the fecal matter undesirable to the dog. Due to the attraction of dogs to their own feces, a popular [[Chinese]] [[idiom]] states "A dog cannot change its habit of eating feces", which usually refers to a bad [[habit (psychology)|habit]] that is difficult to correct.{{dubious}}{{Fact|date=November 2007}} == Coprophagia in humans == === Sexual aspects === Coprophagia is extremely uncommon in humans. It is generally thought to be the result of the [[paraphilia]] known as [[coprophilia]]. Similar risk of classification can apply to related [[sexual fetish]]es, such as [[analingus]] or inserting an object into the mouth that recently has been in the anus (see [[ass to mouth]]). Coprophagia is also sometimes depicted in [[pornography]], usually under the terms "scat" or "shitplay" or even "kaviar"{{Fact|date=May 2008}}. === Medical aspects === From the medical literature, coprophagia has been observed in a small number of patients with [[dementia]] and/or [[schizophrenia]]<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16721701&query_hl=17&itool=pubmed_docsum Effective treatment of coprophagia in a patient with schizophrenia with the novel atypical antipsychotic drug perospirone]</ref> and depression.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=8789509&query_hl=17&itool=pubmed_DocSum Escalation of a fetish: coprophagia in a nonpsychotic adult of normal intelligence]</ref> Consuming other [[human feces|people's feces]] carries the risk of contracting diseases spread through fecal matter, such as [[Hepatitis A]], [[Hepatitis E]], [[pneumonia]], and [[influenza]]. Coprophagia also carries a risk of contracting intestinal parasites. [[Vaccination]]s are generally recommended for those who engage in this practice.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} Lewin (2001) reports that "... consumption of fresh, warm [[camel]] feces has been recommended by [[Bedouin]]s as a remedy for bacterial [[dysentery]]; its efficacy (probably attributable to the [[antibiotic]] [[subtilisin]] from ''[[Bacillus subtilis]]'') was confirmed by [[Germany|German]] [[soldier]]s in [[Africa]] during [[World War II]]." === Cultural aspects === [[Punk music]]ian and [[performance artist]] [[GG Allin]] often engaged in coprophagia during his performances. {{Feeding}} ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==References== * {{cite journal | author = Lewin, Ralph A. | title = "More on Merde" | journal = Perspectives in Biology and Medicine | year = 2001 | volume = 44 | issue = 4 | pages = 594–607 | doi = 10.1353/pbm.2001.0067 }} PMID 11600805 * {{cite paper | author = Hofmeister, Erik, Melinda Cumming, and Cheryl Dhein | title = Owner Documentation of Coprophagia in the Canine | date= 2001 | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20070427142031/http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/pets/_archive/study.htm }}. Accessed November 17, 2005. * {{cite journal | author = Wise, T.N., and R.L. Goldberg | title = "Escalation of a fetish: coprophagia in a nonpsychotic adult of normal intelligence" | journal = J. Sex Marital Ther. | year = 1995 | volume = 21 | issue = 4 | pages = 272–5 }} PMID 8789509 ==External links== * [http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/AnimalServices/pettips/dogtips/Eatingfeces.aspx King County, Washington, Animal Control Section. "Eating His Own or Other Animal Feces."] * [http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=166 Why Does My Dog Eat Feces?] - Theresa A. Fuess, Ph.D, College of Vet Medicine * [http://www.askabreeder.com/Puppy+Eating+Feces Coprophagia: Effective Treatment for Dogs Eating Feces] * [http://home.gci.net/~divs/behavior/coprophagia.html Coprophagia in the Canine] - Erik Hofmeister; Melinda Cumming, DVM PhD; Cheryl Dhein, DVM, MS, DACVIM; Douglas Island Veterinary Service; detailed preliminary results of study of behavior and prevention in dogs *[http://ratguide.com/care/behavior/coprophagy.php Rat care guide] *[http://www.break.com/index/gorilla_picks_butt_and_eats_it.html Break.com] - Video of Coprophagia by a Gorilla *[http://goinside.com/99/4/food.html Yesterday's Food Will Become Tomorrow's Food] Dr David Ryde MB BS FRCP [[Category:Dog health]] [[Category:Dog training and behavior]] [[Category:Eating behaviors]] [[Category:Feces]] [[Category:Greek loanwords]] [[Category:Pica (disorder)]] [[ca:Coprofàgia]] [[cs:Koprofágie]] [[de:Koprophagie]] [[es:Coprofagia]] [[eo:Koprofagio]] [[fr:Coprophagie]] [[id:Coprophagia]] [[it:Coprofagia]] [[lt:Koprofagija]] [[hu:Koprofágia]] [[nl:Coprofagie]] [[no:Coprophagia]] [[pl:Koprofagia]] [[pt:Coprofagia]] [[ru:Копрофагия]] [[simple:Coprophagia]] [[fi:Koprofagia]] [[sv:Koprofag]]