TRAUMA-RELATED DEATHS OF DOMESTICATED DOGS AND CATS IN TAIWAN

Abstract

The advancement of animal welfare has attracted much public attention in recent years in Taiwan. Trauma, as an important extrinsic cause of death in pet dogs and cats, is closely related to human activities and owner–pet relationships. This retrospective study aims to evaluate trauma-related deaths in domesticated dogs and cats in Taiwan, and further investigate demographic risk factors associated with specific traumatic causes. Data from 2252 dogs and 1325 cats were collected from a real-time reporting system for mortality of Taiwanese domesticated dogs and cats during 2012–2014. A total of 278 trauma-related deaths, including 177 dogs and 101 cats, were reported. The leading traumatic causes were car accidents (dog/cat:127/48), falls (dog/cat:18/15), and animal interactions (dog/cat:13/11). Frequencies of trauma deaths were higher for animals within the 0–6 years age group in both species. Dogs and cats dying at [Formula: see text]10 years of age, male and intact animals displayed increased risks of trauma deaths. Dogs, animals dying at [Formula: see text]10 years of age, and intact animals displayed increased risks of dying from car accidents. Animals dying at [Formula: see text]10 years of age displayed increased risks of dying from falls. Intact animals displayed increased risks of dying from animal interactions. A few cases raised strong suspicion of animal cruelty; such findings underscore the importance of the development of forensic veterinary medicine.