Owner-Reported Health Events in Australian Farm Working Dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Animal Health
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Working farm dogs are essential in Australian livestock farming.
• No prior studies have comprehensively assessed the health of these working dogs.
• Establishing a baseline health dataset is crucial for understanding their welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify prevalent diseases and injuries in Australian working farm dogs.
• To provide a baseline dataset for future health research and welfare initiatives.
• To understand the impact of health events on the working capacity of these dogs.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 125 farm dog owners at a public working dog event.
• Data collected on 526 dogs regarding health events in the preceding 12 months.
• Analysis of injury types, non-traumatic illnesses, and veterinary treatment sought.

Main Results:

• 24% of dogs experienced a health event in the past year; 13% had events impacting work.
• Common injuries included musculoskeletal (11%) and skin issues.
• Arthritis was a frequent non-traumatic illness (13%); veterinary treatment varied by condition.

Conclusions:

• Australian working farm dogs face significant health challenges, including injuries and illnesses.
• The findings underscore the need for targeted research to improve the health and welfare of these working animals.
• Further investigation is recommended to address the unique demands and health risks associated with farm work for dogs.