Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - Tập 217 Số 6 - Trang 836-840 - 2000
Jeffrey J. Sacks, Leslie Sinclair, J Gilchrist, Gail Golab, R. Lockwood
AbstractObjective—To summarize breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks during a 20-year period and to assess policy implications.
Animals—Dogs for which breed was reported involved in attacks on humans between 1979 and 1998 that resulted in human dog bite-related fatalities (DBRF).
Procedure—Data for human DBRF identified previously for the period of 1979 through 1996 were combined with human DBRF newly identified for 1997 and 1998. Human DBRF were identified by searching news accounts and by use of The Humane Society of the United States' registry databank.
Results—During 1997 and 1998, at least 27 people died of dog bite attacks (18 in 1997 and 9 in 1998). At least 25 breeds of dogs have been involved in 238 human DBRF during the past 20 years. Pit bull-type dogs and Rottweilers were involved in more than half of these deaths. Of 227 reports with relevant data, 55 (24%) human deaths involved unrestrained dogs off their owners' property, 133 (58%) involved unrestrained dogs on their owners' property, 38 (17%) involved restrained dogs on their owners' property, and 1 (< 1%) involved a restrained dog off its owner's property.
Conclusions—Although fatal attacks on humans appear to be a breed-specific problem (pit bull-type dogs and Rottweilers), other breeds may bite and cause fatalities at higher rates. Because of difficulties inherent in determining a dog's breed with certainty, enforcement of breed-specific ordinances raises constitutional and practical issues. Fatal attacks represent a small proportion of dog bite injuries to humans and, therefore, should not be the primary factor driving public policy concerning dangerous dogs. Many practical alternatives to breed-specific ordinances exist and hold promise for prevention of dog bites. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:836–840)
Canine and human factors related to dog bite injuriesJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - Tập 232 Số 4 - Trang 542-546 - 2008
Carrie M. Shuler, Emilio DeBess, Jodi Lapidus, Katrina Hedberg
Abstract
Objective—To identify physical traits of biting dogs and characteristics of injured persons and dog owners associated with bite situations for use in public health prevention activities.
Design—Retrospective cohort study.
Study Population—Licensed dog and dog bite report data from June 30, 2002, to July 1, 2003, that were obtained from Animal Control Services of Multnomah County, Oregon.
Procedures—To determine the canine and human factors associated with dog bite injuries, the number of bites, dog and injured person characteristics, and the overall canine population were evaluated. Dog owner characteristics at the block group level were defined by use of geographic information system software through 2000 census information based on place of residence.
Results—During the study period, 636 dog bites were reported to Animal Control Services, and 47,526 dogs were licensed in Multnomah County. Risk factors associated with biting dogs included breed (terrier, working, herding, and nonsporting breeds), being a sexually intact male, and purebred status. Male children aged 5 to 9 years had the highest rate of injury (178 bites/100,000 children). Biting dogs were more likely than nonbiting dogs to live in neighborhoods where the residents' median incomes were less than the county median income value ($41,278).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Dog bites continue to be a source of preventable injury. Prevention programs should target owners of sexually intact male and purebred dogs and owners who live in lower income neighborhoods.
Evaluation of bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogsJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - Tập 228 Số 4 - Trang 537-542 - 2006
Rachel A. Strohmeyer, Paul S. Morley, Doreene R. Hyatt, David A. Dargatz, Andrea V. Scorza, Michael R. Lappin
Abstract
Objective—To evaluate bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs.
Design—Prospective longitudinal study.
Sample Population—240 samples from 20 raw meat diets for dogs (containing beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey), 24 samples from 2 dry dog foods, and 24 samples from 2 canned dog foods.
Procedure—Each product was purchased commercially on 4 dates approximately 2 months apart. Three samples from each product at each sampling period were evaluated via bacterial culture for non–type-specific Escherichia coli (NTSEC), Salmonella enterica, and Campylobacter spp. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on selected isolates. Polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect DNA from Cryptosporidium spp, Neospora spp, and Toxoplasma spp in samples obtained in the third and fourth sampling periods.
Results—One hundred fifty-three of 288 (53%) samples were contaminated with NTSEC. Both raw and prepared foods contained NTSEC during at least 1 culture period. Salmonella enterica was recovered from 17 (5.9%) samples, all of which were raw meat products. Campylobacter spp was not isolated from any samples. In 91 of 288 (31.6%) samples, there was no gram-negative bacterial growth before enrichment and in 48 of 288 (16.7%) samples, there was no aerobic bacterial growth before enrichment. Susceptibility phenotypes were variable. Cryptosporidium spp DNA was detected in 3 samples.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Bacterial contamination is common in commercially available raw meat diets, suggesting that there is a risk of foodborne illness in dogs fed these diets as well possible risk for humans associated with the dogs or their environments.
Evaluation of the association between feeding raw meat and Salmonella enterica infections at a Greyhound breeding facilityJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - Tập 228 Số 10 - Trang 1524-1532 - 2006
Paul S. Morley, Rachel A. Strohmeyer, Jeanetta D. Tankson, Doreene R. Hyatt, David A. Dargatz, Paula J. Fedorka‐Cray
Abstract
Objective—To investigate Salmonella enterica infections at a Greyhound breeding facility.
Design—Cross-sectional study.
Animal and Sample Populations—138 adult and juvenile dogs and S enterica isolates recovered from the dogs and their environment.
Procedures—The investigation was conducted at the request of a Greyhound breeder. Observations regarding the environment and population of dogs were recorded. Fecal, food, and environmental specimens were collected and submitted for Salmonellaculture. Isolates were serotyped and tested for susceptibility to 16 antimicrobials. Isolates underwent genetic analyses by use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and ribotyping.
Results—S enterica was recovered from 88 of 133 (66%) samples of all types and from 57 of 61 (93%) fecal samples. Eighty-three (94.3%) of the isolates were serotype Newport, 77 (87.5%) of which had identical resistance phenotypes. Genetic evaluations suggested that several strains of S enterica existed at the facility, but there was a high degree of relatedness among many of the Newport isolates. Multiple strains of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport were recovered from raw meat fed on 1 day.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—S enterica infections and environmental contamination were common at this facility. A portion of the Salmonellastrains detected on the premises was likely introduced via raw meat that was the primary dietary constituent. Some strains appeared to be widely disseminated in the population. Feeding meat that had not been cooked properly, particularly meat classified as unfit for human consumption, likely contributed to the infections in these dogs.
Evaluation of cardiac function in active and hibernating grizzly bearsJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - Tập 223 Số 8 - Trang 1170-1175 - 2003
O. Lynne Nelson, Margaret-Mary McEwen, Charles T. Robbins, Laura Felicetti, William F. Christensen
Abstract
Objective—To evaluate cardiac function parameters
in a group of active and hibernating grizzly bears.
Design—Prospective study.
Animals—6 subadult grizzly bears.
Procedure—Indirect blood pressure, a 12-lead ECG,
and a routine echocardiogram were obtained in each
bear during the summer active phase and during
hibernation.
Results—All measurements of myocardial contractility
were significantly lower in all bears during hibernation,
compared with the active period. Mean rate of
circumferential left ventricular shortening, percentage
fractional shortening, and percentage left ventricular
ejection fraction were significantly lower in bears during
hibernation, compared with the active period.
Certain indices of diastolic function appeared to indicate
enhanced ventricular compliance during the
hibernation period. Mean mitral inflow ratio and isovolumic
relaxation time were greater during hibernation.
Heart rate was significantly lower for hibernating
bears, and mean cardiac index was lower but not significantly
different from cardiac index during the
active phase. Contrary to results obtained in hibernating
rodent species, cardiac index was not significantly
correlated with heart rate.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cardiac function
parameters in hibernating bears are opposite to
the chronic bradycardic effects detected in nonhibernating
species, likely because of intrinsic cardiac muscle
adaptations during hibernation. Understanding
mechanisms and responses of the myocardium during
hibernation could yield insight into mechanisms of
cardiac function regulation in various disease states in
nonhibernating species. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003;223:1170–1175)
Multicenter veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogsJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - Tập 236 Số 1 - Trang 59-66 - 2010
James K. Roush, Chadwick E. Dodd, Dale A. Fritsch, Timothy A. Allen, Dennis E. Jewell, William D. Schoenherr, Daniel Richardson, Phillip S. Leventhal, Kevin A. Hahn
Abstract
Objective—To assess the effect of food containing high concentrations of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids and a low omega-6–omega-3 fatty acid ratio on clinical signs of osteoarthritis in dogs.
Design—Randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial.
Animals—127 client-owned dogs with osteoarthritis in 1 or more joints from 18 privately owned veterinary clinics.
Procedures—Dogs were randomly assigned to be fed for 6 months with a typical commercial food or a test food containing a 31-fold increase in total omega-3 fatty acid content and a 34-fold decrease in omega-6–omega-3 ratio, compared with the control food. Dog owners completed a questionnaire about their dog's arthritic condition, and investigators performed a physical examination and collected samples for a CBC and serum biochemical analyses (including measurement of fatty acids concentration) at the onset of the study and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks afterward.
Results—Dogs fed the test food had a significantly higher serum concentration of total omega-3 fatty acids and a significantly lower serum concentration of arachidonic acid at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. According to owners, dogs fed the test food had a significantly improved ability to rise from a resting position and play at 6 weeks and improved ability to walk at 12 and 24 weeks, compared with control dogs.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ingestion of the test food raised blood concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and appeared to improve the arthritic condition in pet dogs with osteoarthritis.