The Study of Causes of Death and Manners of Deathin Dogs and Cats in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Wei-Hsiang Huang, 黃威翔
• Other Authors: Chen-Hsuan Liu
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/sgn8tr

博士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 獸醫學研究所 === 106 === Given that the increasing level of intimacy between owners and companion animals in modern society, a mortality survey on pets could not only improve the veterinary practices, but also the public health and animal welfare. Besides, because recent years have seen increased attention being given to forensic veterinary medicine and sciences and several notorious crimes against animals has drawn public attention in Taiwan, the development of veterinary forensics is urgent in our society. The present dissertation consists of four parts. First, the real-time reporting system for mortality data of domesticated were introduced, and the mortality of the domesticated cat population were investigated. Second, causes of deaths or reasons for euthanasia in Taiwanese domesticated dog population were investigated. Third, trauma-related deaths in domesticated dogs and cats were furthered studied. Finally, the causes of death and manners of death for alleged animal cruelty cases were studied, delineating the recent development of veterinary forensics in Taiwan. During 2012-2014, data from 1,325 domesticated cats and 2,306 domesticated dogs were collected using the real-time reporting system. For domesticated cats, the most common cause of death (COD)/reason for euthanasia (RFE) were renal and urologic disorders, followed by neoplasia, and infection. Advanced age and neutering were found to be associated with death due to renal and urologic disorders as well as with neoplasia. For domesticated dogs, the most common COD/RFE was neoplasia, followed by multiple organ involvement and cardiovascular diseases. Segregated by cut-off ages, demographic and geographic variables, the ranking and frequency of COD/RFE displayed different patterns. Our results not only fit with the general expectation of dog and cat populations, but also provide valuable insights into mortality in domesticated dog and cat populations in Taiwan. Moreover, 278 trauma-related deaths, including 177 dogs and 101 cats, were reported during 2012-2014. The leading traumatic causes were car accidents, falls, and animal interactions (fights and bites). A few cases raised strong suspicion of animal cruelty; such findings imply there may be animal cruelty cases overlooked in our country. Finally, 100 cases were submitted for forensic necropsy during 2011-2016, including 52 dogs and 48 cats. Among these cases, 82 cases were found with determined causes of death, while causes of death were not determined in the rests. Animal cruelty were confirmed in 39 cases, and suspects were found in only 16 cases. Our results suggest that the appropriate classification for animal manner of death should follow a thinking process and could be designed according to the special legal purpose.