Incidence and risk factors of heat-related illness in dogs from New South Wales, Australia (1997–2017)
Joy S Tripovich, Bethany Wilson, Paul D McGreevy and Anne Quain
19/09/2023
Heat Related Illness (HRI) in dogs is expected to increase asheatwaves surge due to global warming. The most severe form of HRI, heat stroke, is potentially fatal in dogs. The current study investigated the incidence and risk factors for HRI in dogs in NSW, Australia, from 1997 to 2017. We identified 119 HRI cases duringthis period, with a fatality rate of 23%. Dog breeds at elevated riskof HRI were Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, British Bulldog, French Bulldog, Maremma Sheepdog, Italian Greyhound, ChowChow, Airedale Terrier, Pug, Samoyed, English Springer Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Border Collie, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and pooled non-Australian National Kennel Council breeds (which included the American and Australian Bulldog) when compared with cross breeds (i.e., the reference variable). As expected, HRI cases were more likely in December and January, during the Australian summer and during hotter years (e.g., 2016). There were no differences in the risk of HRI between males and femalesnor between desexed or un-desexed dogs; but older dogs wereat increased risk of HRI. These findings underscore the need for datacollection that will enable the incidence of HRI in dogs to be moni-tored and to better understand canine risk factors particularly as temperatures will continue to rise due to global warming. The risk of mortality from HRI underpins the need for education programs focussed on prevention and early identification of HRI so that owners present affected dogs to their veterinarian as promptly as possible.
Read the full article:
Tripovich, J.S.; Wilson, B.; McGreevy, P.D.; Quain, A. Incidence and risk factors of heat-related illness in dogs from New South Wales, Australia (1997–2017). Aust Vet J. 2023, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13296
"Cute pug dog suffering from heat stroke near bowl of water on floor at home" by New Africa (Adobe Stock 452795406)
