Canine mortality in Umbria Region (Central Italy): a population-based analysis

Companion dogs may be valuable sentinels to better understand the environmental determinants of morbidity and mortality in humans. This study aimed to assess the dog population and mortality in Umbria Region. The source of data was the local Canine Registry. Attribute-specific crude mortality rates by sex, age, and breed were produced on a five-year basis (2014-2018). The human ICD-10 was employed to code the causes of deaths. Over 2014-2018, an annual average population of 226,875 specimens and a total of 46,743 deaths were estimated. Mortality rate was higher in young males than in young females. A specific cause of death was reported for 5,209 dogs; the 62.8 per cent (95%CI = 61.4-64.1) was due to external causes. Neoplasms were the fourth cause of death. Differences in mortality between sexes were consistent with human ones. The death registration procedure needs improvement by a systematic coding of the causes. An adjustment of the human ICD could address the lack of a coding system until the introduction of international standards for animals.