PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G J Patronek

Publications and source records attributed to G J Patronek.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Dynamics of dog and cat populations in a community.

OBJECTIVE: To describe dynamics of the pet dog and cat populations in a single community in terms of reproductive patterns and turnover. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, random-digit dial telephone survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: Information gathered from 1,272 households in St Joseph County, Ind that owned a dog or cat between Dec 1, 1993 and Nov 30, 1994 was compared with data on 9,571 dogs and cats received by the Humane Society of St Joseph County during the same period. RESULTS: Prevalence of pet ownership was lower than expected, compared with consumer panel surveys. Eight hundred forty-three of 1,335 (63.1%) dogs were neutered, compared with 816 of 1,023 (79.8%) cats. Cost was cited as a reason that 35 of 441 (7.9%) dogs and 34 of 132 (25.8%) cats were not neutered. Only 33 of 968 (3.4%) dog-owning households reported that their dog had had a litter during the past year, whereas 52 of 662 (7.9%) cat-owning households reported their cat had had a litter of kittens. Most cat litters were unplanned, whereas two thirds of dog litters were planned. Annual turnover in owned pets was 191 of 1,354 (14.1%) dogs and 194 of 1,056 (18.4%) cats. Pet owners underreported relinquishing pets to a shelter in the telephone survey. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: A combination of animal shelter- and human population-based data are needed to describe pet population dynamics in a community. Information about species-specific reproductive patterns is essential in designing population control programs.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1997

Comparative longevity of pet dogs and humans: implications for gerontology research.

The effect of breed and body weight on longevity in the pet dog was analyzed, and a method was developed to standardize the chronological age of dogs in terms of physiological time, using human year equivalents. Mortality data from 23,535 pet dogs were obtained from a computerized data base of North American veterinary teaching hospitals, and the median age at death was determined for pure and mixed breed dogs of different body weight. Body size in the dog was inversely related to longevity. Within each body weight category, the median age at death was lower for pure breed dogs compared with mixed breed dogs. The difference between the standardized physiological ages of mixed breed dogs of the same chronological age in the smallest and largest body weight categories varied from 8 to > 15 years, and between large and small pure breed dogs, the disparity was even greater. Laboratory research to explore the biological basis for these breed and body weight specific differences in life span among dogs may provide additional clues to genetic factors influencing senescence.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Risk factors for relinquishment of dogs to an animal shelter.

OBJECTIVE: To identify canine and household characteristics associated with relinquishment of a pet dog to an animal shelter. DESIGN: Case-control study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Households that relinquished dogs for adoption (case households) and a random sample of current dog-owning households in the same community (control households). RESULTS: Potentially modifiable factors that explained the highest proportion of relinquishment were owners not participating in dog obedience classes after acquisition, lack of veterinary care, owning a sexually intact dog, inappropriate care expectations, and dogs having daily or weekly inappropriate elimination. Dogs obtained from shelters, kept in crates, or acquired at > or = 6 months of age were at increased risk of relinquishment. Greater purchase price was associated with decreased risk of relinquishment, but relinquishment was not associated with the degree of planning to acquire the dog. Dogs with behavioral problems and little veterinary care were at greater risk of relinquishment than were dogs with regular veterinary care, and behavioral problems were associated with inappropriate care expectations. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Risk factors identified in this study can be modified by dog owners and veterinarians to decrease the estimated 2 million dogs euthanatized annually in animal shelters. Veterinarians should educate owners about typical dog behavior, routine care requirements and training, and the importance of regular veterinary visits; should incorporate wellness concepts in their practice; and should focus on preventive medicine and behavioral consultation.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Risk factors for relinquishment of cats to an animal shelter.

OBJECTIVE: To identify feline and household characteristics associated with relinquishment of a pet cat to an animal shelter. DESIGN: Case-control study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Households that relinquished cats for adoption (case households) and a random sample of current cat-owning households in the same community (control households). RESULTS: Potentially modifiable risk factors with the highest population attributable risk for relinquishment were owners having specific expectations about the cat's role in the household, allowing the cat outdoors, owning a sexually intact cat, never having read a book about cat behavior, cats having daily or weekly inappropriate elimination, and inappropriate care expectations. Frequency of inappropriate elimination and aggression toward people were not associated with declaw status, but these behaviors were more common among sexually intact cats, compared with sterilized cats. Owners of cats in case households were more likely than owners in control households to cite cost of sterilization as a reason a cat was sexually intact. Cats found as strays and cats acquired with minimal planning were at decreased risk of relinquishment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The identified risk factors can be modified by cat owners and veterinarians to decrease the estimated 4 million cats euthanatized annually in animal shelters. Owner education programs are needed as well as increased awareness on the part of cat owners and veterinarians of the importance of resolving feline inappropriate elimination problems.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Pet ownership protects against the risks and consequences of coronary heart disease.

Despite decreasing coronary heart disease mortality among both men and women, this disease still remains the leading cause of death in the United States. In addition to known physiologic factors, such as hypertension, smoking, and elevated plasma cholesterol, psychosocial factors including anxiety, marital status, and social isolation have been shown to contribute to the risk of coronary heart disease. There is increasing evidence suggesting that pet ownership causes measurable short term psychological and physiological effects in people, including reduction of blood pressure and mitigation of psychological indicators of anxiety. There is also evidence that pet ownership is associated with clinically significant health effects in people, including improved survival after a coronary event. We hypothesize that pet ownership, though its ability to positively influence psychosocial risk factors, results in a lowered risk of coronary heart disease and increased survival after a coronary event if it occurs, and that increased pet ownership would further reduce mortality from coronary heart disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Canine Dirofilaria immitis infection in a hyperenzootic area: examination by parasitologic findings at necropsy and by two serodiagnostic methods.

A total of 174 dogs from an area hyperenzootic for Dirofilaria immitis were grouped into 4 age categories and necropsied; information was obtained on adult D immitis infections and on the presence of microfilariae. Serum samples from these dogs were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibody to adult D immitis and by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for antibody to microfilarial surface antigens. In dogs less than or equal to 5 months of age, necropsy demonstrated no evidence of infection; however, positive serologic results indicated that some of these dogs had prepatent infections. The percentage of dogs with ELISA titers (positive) increased with age, as did the percentage of dogs with adult D immitis infections. The IFAT results were positive in some dogs in each age category. Sera from all 29 dogs with occult infections were positive by ELISA. Sera from 6 of 20 dogs with occult dual-sex heartworm infections and 1 of 9 dogs with occult single-sex heartworm infections were positive by IFAT. For diagnosing occult dirofilariasis, the ELISA had a positive predictive value which increased with age of the dog to a maximum of 65.0% in dogs greater than or equal to 12 months of age; ELISA had a negative predictive value of 100% in all age groups. In contrast, positive and negative predictive values for the IFAT decreased with age of the dog to 60% and 37.5%, respectively, in dogs greater than or equal to 12 months of age.

Aging↗
PubMed1985

Breed-related risk factors for canine parvovirus enteritis.

Case records of 305 dogs with canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis, seen at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from July 1, 1981 to Aug 31, 1982, were selected on the basis of admitting diagnoses or signs of diarrhea and vomiting. The case records were subdivided into 3 diagnostic categories, based on final diagnoses and laboratory test results. There were 96 dogs with definite CPV enteritis, 139 with possible CPV enteritis, and 70 with unlikely CPV enteritis. These cases were then stratified by animal's age (less than or equal to 6 months or greater than 6 months) and specific hospital service (medicine or emergency). A control group was selected from all canine case records from the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for conditions other than the criteria used in selecting the case group. Approximately 2 hospital patients were selected for each CPV enteritis case by frequency matching for hospital service and age. The proportion of dogs with definite CPV enteritis that had each of the clinical signs that were studied was greater than that of dogs in the other CPV enteritis diagnostic categories. The overall survival rate for dogs with definite CPV enteritis was 64.0%; survival was not associated with any given clinical sign of disease. Odds ratios (OR) for the risk of CPV enteritis were calculated for breeds with 3 or more dogs with definite CPV enteritis. The Doberman Pinschers (OR = 3.1), Rottweilers (OR = 6.0), and English Springer Spaniels (OR = 8.1) had a significantly increased risk of CPV enteritis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

Serologic pattern of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection.

A total of 602 dogs at the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital were tested for antibodies to Dirofilaria immitis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using a purified adult dirofilaria-derived antigen. Most dogs also were evaluated for heartworm infection by a complete WBC count and a Knott test for circulating microfilariae. The serologic prevalence of heartworm infection was 34.7%; prevalence increased significantly (P = 0.0003) with age up to 8 years and then decreased. Dogs usually kept indoors were significantly (P = 0.005) less likely to be infected, as were dogs given diethylcarbamazine therapy (P = 0.0004). Coat length, sex, breed, and presence of intestinal parasites were not associated (P greater than 0.05) with a positive heartworm ELISA result. The ELISA titers showed a positive relationship with both eosinophil and basophil counts. A total of 99 dogs evaluated radiographically were grouped according to results of the Knott test and radiographic examination as follows: (i) negative Knott test and negative radiographic examination (14 dogs), (ii) negative Knott test and positive radiographic examination (57 dogs), and (iii) positive Knott test and positive radiographic examination (28 dogs). The serologic prevalences of D immitis infection in each of these groups were 35.7%, 56.1%, and 85.7% for groups (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively. The ELISA, when used in conjunction with the Knott test results, record of exposure, clinical signs, laboratory results, and radiographic changes, was found to be useful for studying serologic patterns and identifying risk factors for canine heartworm infection.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Canine distemper infection in pet dogs: I. Surveillance in Indiana during a suspected outbreak.

A mail survey of 613 private veterinary practices in Indiana was conducted to determine the prevalence of canine distemper infection in Indiana during 1991 and 1992 and to compare the prevalence in three geographic regions. Of the practices that were contacted, 223 (37%) responded. Canine distemper had been diagnosed by 150 (67%) of the 223 practices. The period prevalence increased significantly from 11.1 to 16.9 cases per 10,000 dog visits. Surveillance of private veterinary practices may be useful to confirm suspected outbreaks of diseases in companion animals.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Canine distemper infection in pet dogs: II. A case-control study of risk factors during a suspected outbreak in Indiana.

The epidemiologic features of an outbreak of canine distemper during 1992 and 1993 in pet dogs in Indiana are described. Risk factors for disease were characterized using hospital records of private veterinary practitioners. The risk of disease for purebred dogs was 85% lower than the risk of disease for mixed-breed dogs. Lack of vaccination was associated with a 350-fold increase in the risk of canine distemper, and 93.8% of all cases could be attributed to the lack of vaccination. For many of the owners, the cost of medical treatment exceeded the cost of a vaccination program.

Age Distribution↗