Retrospective evaluation of coyote attacks in dogs: 154 cases (1997-2012)

A multicenter retrospective comparison of trauma in toy breeds versus giant breeds: A Veterinary Committee on Trauma registry study

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively evaluate and stratify the differences in signalment, mechanisms, and severity of injury between toy and giant breed dogs.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational cohort study.

SETTING

Multicenter, university veterinary teaching hospital, and private referral hospitals contributing to Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT) patient registry.

ANIMALS

Two thousand seven hundred and five (2589 toy and 116 giant breed) dogs presented for trauma with complete data entries recruited into the Veterinary Committee on Trauma registry from September 1, 2013 through December 31, 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Injury etiology in toy breeds was predominantly blunt trauma (1532/2587 [59.2%]), commonly falling from a height or motor vehicle accident, whereas in giant breeds penetrating trauma was more common (71/116 [61.2%]). Eighty-seven percent (2231/2558) of toy breeds and 94.7% (108/114) giant breeds survived to discharge. When stratified by severity of injury (animal trauma triage [ATT] ≥ 5), mortality increased. Severely injured toy breeds had a 45.6% (200/438) survival rate, and severely injured giant breeds had a 62.5% (5/8) survival rate. Patient size did not impact survival in a logistic regression model; however, ATT score (odd ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.52-0.58; P < 0.001), modified Glasgow Coma Scale (mGCS; odds ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.11-1.32; P < 0.001), and base excess (odds ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.09-1.22; P < 0.001) were predictive of nonsurvival. Surgical intervention was required in 743 of 2587 (29%) toy breeds and 65 of 116 (56%) giant breeds. Surgery was associated with an increased survival rate (odds ratio, 4.43; 95% CI, 2.45-8.83; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of a large, multicenter dataset showed that ATT score along with base excess, plasma lactate, and mGCS were predictors of mortality independent of patient size. Severely injured dogs, as defined by an ATT score ≥ 5, were less likely to survive, and toy breed dogs had a higher mortality rate than giant breeds in the subcategory.

Clinical and biochemical factors associated with survival in equids attacked by dogs: 28 cases (2008-2016)

Background

Trauma from dog attacks has been associated with mortality rates as high as 23% in some species. However, the prognosis and clinical features of this type of injury have not been described in equids.

Hypotheses/Objectives

To describe survival rate, signalment, clinical features, and biochemical results in equids presented for emergency care after presumed dog attacks. We hypothesized there would be differences between survivors and nonsurvivors.

Animals

A total of 28 equids presented for presumed dog attacks from 3 referral centers.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed using data from 3 hospitals between 2008 and 2016. Survival was defined as survival at 14 days postdischarge. Variables were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors using a t test, Mann‐Whitney U test, or Fisher's exact test as appropriate.

Results

Overall mortality rate was 21%. Ponies and miniature horses represented 16/28 (57%) of the animals in the study. Full‐sized equids had a lower risk of nonsurvival as compared to smaller patients (odds ratio = 0.02; 95% confidence intervals = 0.00‐0.27; P < .005). Animals with lower body temperatures had increased risk for nonsurvival (P = .0004). Increased admission blood lactate concentrations (P = .003) and decreased serum total protein concentrations (P = .006) were associated with nonsurvival.

Conclusions

The mortality rate in equids attacked by dogs was similar to what is reported for other veterinary species. Smaller equids and those with increased admission blood lactate concentration, lower body temperature, and lower total serum protein concentrations were less likely to survive.