TeamMate: a longitudinal study of New Zealand working farm dogs. I. Methods, population characteristics and health on enrolment

Abstract

Background: Working farm dogs are invaluable on New Zealand sheep and beef farms. To date no study describing farm dog population and health has included information about incidence of illness and injury, or risk factors affecting health and career duration. This paper describes the methodology and initial results from TeamMate, a longitudinal study that was designed to address this gap. We describe the study population, husbandry practices, and prevalence of clinical abnormalities on enrolment. Methods: Data about the farms, owners, husbandry practices and dogs were collected on farm at approximately 6month intervals. All dogs over 18 months old and in full work were enrolled. Dogs were given physical examinations by veterinarians. On examination all abnormalities were noted, regardless of clinical significance. Results: Six hundred forty-one working farm dogs and 126 owners were enrolled from the South Island of New Zealand. Forty-nine percent of dogs were Heading dogs (314 of 641) and 48% Huntaways (308 of 641). Median age of dogs was 4 years (range 1.5-14) and median body condition score (BCS) was four on a 9-point scale (interquartile range (IQR) 3-5). Fifty-four percent of dogs were male (345 of 641), and 6% (41 of 641) were neutered. Eighty-one percent of owners (102 of 126) fed dogs commercial biscuits and meat sourced on farm. Forty-four percent of dogs (279 of 641) had bedding in their kennel, 14% (55 of 393) had insulated kennels, 69% (442 of 641) had been vaccinated and 33% (213 of 641) were insured. Clinical abnormalities were found in 74% of dogs (475 of 641). Common abnormalities involved the musculoskeletal system (43%, 273 of 641), skin (including scars and callouses; 42%, 272 of 641), and oral cavity (including worn and broken teeth; 35%, 227 of 641). Conclusions: Our results expand on those from previous surveys and indicate that musculoskeletal illness and injury, and skin trauma are the most commonly seen clinical abnormalities in working farm dogs. These results will provide a baseline for investigation of incidence and risk factors for illness, injury, retirement and death in New Zealand working farm dogs.

TeamMate: A Longitudinal Study of New Zealand Working Farm Dogs. II. Occurrence of Musculoskeletal Abnormalities

“…The anatomical locations included the carpals, hips, digits, and stifles, and abnormalities were categorized as "abnormal range of motion, " "hard swelling, " "painful, " "crepitus, " or "other." Lameness on trot was recorded in 12% of dogs on enrolment (11). However, we did not include lameness in this study as we cannot know that the underlying cause of lameness is musculoskeletal.…”

“…TeamMate is a longitudinal study focusing on working farm dogs on the South Island of New Zealand. A companion research article describes the study design and data collection procedure in detail and presents data collected on the dogs' enrolment to the study (11). To summarize, 641 working farm dogs were convenience-sampled and enrolled in a four-year longitudinal study.…”

“…All physical abnormalities were recorded, irrespective of their clinical significance. All questionnaires that were used as part of the study are available as supplementary materials to a companion research article (11).…”

“…Codes that were unclear or incomplete were rechecked by a veterinarian (LL and/or NJC). The complete system used for alphanumeric coding of physical abnormalities is available as supplementary materials to a companion research article (11).…”

“…Working farm dogs in New Zealand have been found to have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disease and injury, with over 40% having at least one musculoskeletal abnormality on physical examination (11). Additionally, during a 12-month period, 14% of working farm dogs had a non-traumatic musculoskeletal health event and 12% had a traumatic musculoskeletal health event, according to owners (12).…”