Epidemiological Analysis of the Factors Associated with the Longevity of Dogs and Cats.

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  • 犬と猫における長寿に関わる要因の疫学的解析
  • イヌ ト ネコ ニ オケル チョウジュ ニ カカワル ヨウイン ノ エキガクテキ カイセキ

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We conducted a case-control study to elucidate the factors associated with the longevity of dogs and cats. Data regarding the characteristics of each dog and cat, such as sex and age, and regarding keeping conditions such as diet and frequency of exercise were obtained by applying a questionnaire for animals seen at 51 veterinary hospitals in 7 prefectures of the Kanto regions, and at 25 veterinary hospitals at 13 prefectures of the Kansai and Chugoku regions from April 1994 to June 1995, and from October 1997 to October 1998. They were divided into two groups: the dogs and cats beyond age 15 (the long-lived animals group), and the dogs and cats that died between the ages of 5 to 9 (control group) . In order to evaluate the factors associated with the longevity of the dogs and cats, odds ratios with a 95 % confidence interval were calculated using logistic regression model. The following results were obtained.<BR>1. The proportion of“Breed”, “Spay”, “Purposes of keeping dog”, “Place of keeping”, “Frequency of exercise”, “Presence of other animals”, “Diet”, “Milk supply”, and“Snacks” were significantly different between the long-lived group and the control group of dogs. The proportion of“Spay”, “Purposes of keeping cat”, “Place of keeping”, “Presence of other animals”, “Diet”, “Milk supply”, and“Snacks”were significantly different between the long-lived group and the control group of cats.<BR>2. For dogs, seven factors had statistically significant odds ratios (ORs) .“Mixed breed” (OR=3.36), “Vaccination every year” (OR=2.40), “Daily exercise” (OR=3.21), “Presence of other animals” (OR=2.44), “Home-cooked food” (OR=2.46), and“Milk supply” (OR=3.75) had positive effects for the longevity for dogs, and“Keeping outside home” (OR=0.25) had negative effects on the longevity. For cats, four factors had statistically significant ORs.“Male” (OR=5.16), “Presence of other animals” (OR=2.32), “Home-cooked food” (OR=2.34), and“Milk supply” (OR=2.00) had positive effects on the longevity for cats and“Keeping freely at home” (OR=0.41) had negative effects on the longevity.<BR>3. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that factors associated with the longevity of dogs and even cats are those related to the husbandly practices, and, thus, depend on the level of care of the owner with regard the health and keeping conditions of the animal.

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