Proportion and risk factors for death by euthanasia in dogs in the UK

O'Neill, Daniel; Pegram, Camilla; Gray, Carol; Packer, Rowena M.A.; Richards, Ysabelle; Church, David B.; Brodbelt, Dave C.; O’Neill, Dan G.

Abstract

Objectives: To report proportional euthanasia or unassisted death, as well as the demographic and clinical factors associated with euthanasia, in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK.

Methods: A cohort study design to estimate proportional euthanasia among deaths in dogs during 2016. The clinical records were automatically searched and manually validated to identify dogs that died. Method of death (euthanasia or unassisted) and clinical cause of death were manually extracted. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between risk factors (grouped-level disorder, breed, bodyweight, age, sex-neuter and insurance) and method of death.

Results: The analysis included a random sample of 29,865 deaths from a study population of 905,544 dogs. Of the confirmed deaths, 26,676 (89.3%) were euthanased and 2,487 (8.3%) died unassisted. After accounting for confounding factors, 6 grouped-level disorders had higher odds in euthanased dogs (than dogs that died unassisted), using neoplasia as the baseline. The disorders with greatest odds included: poor quality of life (OR 16.28; 95% CI 3.99 to 66.34; p < 0.001), undesirable behaviour (OR 11.36; 95% CI 4.93 to 26.16; p < 0.001) and spinal cord disorder (OR 6.00; 95% CI 2.19 to 16.45; p < 0.001). Increasing age, larger bodyweight and certain breeds were additionally associated with increased odds of euthanasia.

Clinical impact: Improved understanding of the influence of demographic and clinical factors in promoting euthanasia in dogs, relative to unassisted death, could aid veterinarians in end of dog life discussions with owners and may improve canine health management.

Citation

O'Neill, D., Pegram, C., Gray, C., Packer, R. M., Richards, Y., Church, D. B., Brodbelt, D. C., & O’Neill, D. G. (2021). Proportion and risk factors for death by euthanasia in dogs in the UK. International Journal of Advanced Scientific Engineering and Technological Research, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88342-0

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 12, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 4, 2021
• Publication Date: May 4, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 6, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 6, 2021
• Journal: BMC Scientific reports
• Electronic ISSN: 1839-7239
• Publisher: SETScholars
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88342-0
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1442570