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Using the incidence and impact of health conditions in guide dogs to investigate healthy ageing in working dogs

Caron-Lormier, Geoffrey; England, Gary C.W.; Green, Martin J.; Asher, Lucy

Authors

Geoffrey Caron-Lormier

Gary C.W. England

MARTIN GREEN martin.green@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Cattle Health & Epidemiology

Lucy Asher



Abstract

This study aimed to use retirement data from working guide dogs to investigate healthy ageing in dogs and the demographic factors that influence ageing. Using a dataset of 7686 dogs spanning 20 years, dogs withdrawn for health reasons before they reached retirement were identified. Cases of retirement for old age, rather than for health reasons, were also recorded, as was the length of working life for all dogs. Specific health reasons were grouped into 14 different health categories. The influence of purebred or crossbreed, breed, and sex on the incidence of these health categories and the length of working life within each health category was considered.
The majority (n = 6465/7686; 84%) of working guide dogs were able to function as guide dogs until they had worked for 8.5 years, when they retired. This working life might constitute a reference for the different breeds considered, with the exception of the German shepherd dog, which had a shorter working life. The most common reason for health withdrawals was musculoskeletal conditions (n = 387/1362; 28%), mostly arthritis. Skin conditions (mostly comprised of cases of atopic dermatitis) reduced working life most commonly (mean, approximately 5 years). Nervous sensory conditions (35% of which were cases of epilepsy) reduced working life by 3 years.

Citation

Caron-Lormier, G., England, G. C., Green, M. J., & Asher, L. (2016). Using the incidence and impact of health conditions in guide dogs to investigate healthy ageing in working dogs. Veterinary Journal, 207, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.10.046

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 20, 2015
Online Publication Date Nov 11, 2015
Publication Date Jan 1, 2016
Deposit Date Nov 21, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal The Veterinary Journal
Electronic ISSN 1532-2971
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 207
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.10.046
Keywords Heterosis; Guide dogs; Welfare; Epidemiology; Breed
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/978794
Publisher URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023315004578

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