Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disorders
Abstract Background The greyhound is a sighthound known for its speed and agility. Greyhounds were selectively bred as functional racing animals but increasingly are kept as pets in the UK, often after their racing careers are over. The VetCompass™ Programme collates de-identified clinical data from...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-06-01
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| Series: | Canine Genetics and Epidemiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40575-019-0072-5 |
| _version_ | 1818858919866400768 |
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| author | Dan G. O’Neill Nicola J. Rooney Callum Brock David B. Church Dave C. Brodbelt Camilla Pegram |
| author_facet | Dan G. O’Neill Nicola J. Rooney Callum Brock David B. Church Dave C. Brodbelt Camilla Pegram |
| author_sort | Dan G. O’Neill |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The greyhound is a sighthound known for its speed and agility. Greyhounds were selectively bred as functional racing animals but increasingly are kept as pets in the UK, often after their racing careers are over. The VetCompass™ Programme collates de-identified clinical data from primary-care veterinary practices in the UK for epidemiological research. Using VetCompass™ clinical data, this study aimed to characterise the demography, mortality and common disorders of the general population of pet greyhounds under veterinary care in the UK. Results Greyhounds comprised 5419/ 905,544 (0.60%) dogs under veterinary care during 2016 from 626 clinics. Mean adult bodyweight was 29.7 kg (standard deviation [SD] 4.5 kg). Males (32.3 kg, SD 4.1 kg) were heavier than females (27.2 kg, SD 3.3 kg) (P < 0.001). Mean age was 7.6 years (SD 3.4). The most common colours were black (39.2%), black and white (20.8%), brindle (12.0%). Based on 474 deaths, median longevity was 11.4 years (range 0.2–16.5). Females (11.8 years) outlived males (11.2 years) (P = 0.002). The most common grouped causes of death were neoplasia (21.5%, 95% CI: 17.4–26.0), collapse (14.3%, 95% CI: 10.9–18.2) and musculoskeletal disorder (7.8%, 95% CI: 5.3–11.0). Based on a random subset of 2715/5419 (50.1%) greyhounds, 77.5% had > 1 disorder recorded during 2016. The most prevalent specific disorders were periodontal disease (39.0%, 95% CI: 37.2–40.9), overgrown nails (11.1%, 95% CI 10.0–12.4), wound (6.2%, 95% CI: 5.3–7.1), osteoarthritis (4.6%, 95% CI: 3.8–5.4) and claw injury (4.2%, 95% CI: 3.4–5.0). Conclusions These findings highlight the greyhound as a relatively common pet dog breed in the UK, accounting for 0.6% of dogs under primary veterinary care. Dental disease, trauma and osteoarthritis were identified as common health issues within the breed. Knowledge of common disorders can help greyhound breeders and regulators to prioritise breeding, rearing and racing management to mitigate some of the most prevalent issues. Greyhound rehoming organizations can also better inform adopters about prophylactic care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T09:03:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-56e3a3f0650842fdb7b92b5d4eb47a0d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2052-6687 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T09:03:57Z |
| publishDate | 2019-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Canine Genetics and Epidemiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-56e3a3f0650842fdb7b92b5d4eb47a0d2022-12-21T20:28:24ZengBMCCanine Genetics and Epidemiology2052-66872019-06-016111110.1186/s40575-019-0072-5Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disordersDan G. O’Neill0Nicola J. Rooney1Callum Brock2David B. Church3Dave C. Brodbelt4Camilla Pegram5Pathobiology and Population Science, The Royal Veterinary CollegeAnimal Welfare and Behaviour Group, Bristol Veterinary School, University of BristolThe Royal Veterinary CollegeClinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary CollegePathobiology and Population Science, The Royal Veterinary CollegePathobiology and Population Science, The Royal Veterinary CollegeAbstract Background The greyhound is a sighthound known for its speed and agility. Greyhounds were selectively bred as functional racing animals but increasingly are kept as pets in the UK, often after their racing careers are over. The VetCompass™ Programme collates de-identified clinical data from primary-care veterinary practices in the UK for epidemiological research. Using VetCompass™ clinical data, this study aimed to characterise the demography, mortality and common disorders of the general population of pet greyhounds under veterinary care in the UK. Results Greyhounds comprised 5419/ 905,544 (0.60%) dogs under veterinary care during 2016 from 626 clinics. Mean adult bodyweight was 29.7 kg (standard deviation [SD] 4.5 kg). Males (32.3 kg, SD 4.1 kg) were heavier than females (27.2 kg, SD 3.3 kg) (P < 0.001). Mean age was 7.6 years (SD 3.4). The most common colours were black (39.2%), black and white (20.8%), brindle (12.0%). Based on 474 deaths, median longevity was 11.4 years (range 0.2–16.5). Females (11.8 years) outlived males (11.2 years) (P = 0.002). The most common grouped causes of death were neoplasia (21.5%, 95% CI: 17.4–26.0), collapse (14.3%, 95% CI: 10.9–18.2) and musculoskeletal disorder (7.8%, 95% CI: 5.3–11.0). Based on a random subset of 2715/5419 (50.1%) greyhounds, 77.5% had > 1 disorder recorded during 2016. The most prevalent specific disorders were periodontal disease (39.0%, 95% CI: 37.2–40.9), overgrown nails (11.1%, 95% CI 10.0–12.4), wound (6.2%, 95% CI: 5.3–7.1), osteoarthritis (4.6%, 95% CI: 3.8–5.4) and claw injury (4.2%, 95% CI: 3.4–5.0). Conclusions These findings highlight the greyhound as a relatively common pet dog breed in the UK, accounting for 0.6% of dogs under primary veterinary care. Dental disease, trauma and osteoarthritis were identified as common health issues within the breed. Knowledge of common disorders can help greyhound breeders and regulators to prioritise breeding, rearing and racing management to mitigate some of the most prevalent issues. Greyhound rehoming organizations can also better inform adopters about prophylactic care.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40575-019-0072-5VetCompassElectronic patient recordEPRBreedDogEpidemiology |
| spellingShingle | Dan G. O’Neill Nicola J. Rooney Callum Brock David B. Church Dave C. Brodbelt Camilla Pegram Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disorders Canine Genetics and Epidemiology VetCompass Electronic patient record EPR Breed Dog Epidemiology |
| title | Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disorders |
| title_full | Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disorders |
| title_fullStr | Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disorders |
| title_short | Greyhounds under general veterinary care in the UK during 2016: demography and common disorders |
| title_sort | greyhounds under general veterinary care in the uk during 2016 demography and common disorders |
| topic | VetCompass Electronic patient record EPR Breed Dog Epidemiology |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40575-019-0072-5 |
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