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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Aging and Veterinary Care of Cats, Dogs, and Horses through ...
Frontiers in veterinary science2017; 4; 14; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00014

Aging and Veterinary Care of Cats, Dogs, and Horses through the Records of Three University Veterinary Hospitals.

Abstract: The present article examines over 63,000 medical records belonging to the Veterinary Hospitals of the Universities of Bologna, Torino, and Padova, all in Northern Italy, and relative to dogs (approximately 50,000), cats (approximately 12,000), and companion horses (slightly less than 1,000). The animals of the three species were divided into age classes and categorized per sex into males, females, and neutered individuals. The mean age at visit and the effects of age classes and category (analyzed ANOVA) are presented and discussed. The data indicate that many animals are presented to the hospitals either in the early phases of their life (presumably for vaccination and, in cats and dogs, gonadectomy) or in the advanced age (over 10 years in dogs, over 15 years in cats, and over 17 years in horses). The records of very old individuals of the three species are also reported. On the whole, the results suggest that a growing population of mature to old domestic carnivores or companion horses reaches ages that were considered exceptional only a few years ago. The data also testify an evolution in the animal-owner relationship and a renewed respect for the value of life in companion domestic mammals.
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Publication Date: 2017-02-14 PubMed ID: 28261586PubMed Central: PMC5306394DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00014Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses an evaluation of over 63,000 animal medical records from three university veterinary hospitals in Northern Italy, tracking the aging and veterinary care of dogs, cats, and horses. It reveals significant numbers of these pets reaching advanced age brackets that were previously considered unusual.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers selected over 63,000 medical records related to dogs (50,000 approximately), cats (around 12,000), and companion horses (just under 1,000).
  • Coming from three different University Veterinary Hospitals located in Northern Italy (Bologna, Torino, and Padova), these records were carefully scrutinized.
  • The animals were divided into different age groups and further categorized by sex, including males, females, and neutered individuals.

Data Analysis and Findings

  • The team used ANOVA for statistical analysis and presented the mean age at visit, keeping into account the various age classes and groups.
  • The data suggested that animals were primarily brought to these hospitals either in the early phase of their lives (likely for vaccination or neutering in case of cats and dogs) or in their advanced age (over 10 years in dogs, over 15 in cats, and over 17 in horses).
  • The records of extremely old individuals from the three species were specially noted.

Interpretations and Conclusions

  • The findings suggest an increasing number of domestic carnivores and companion horses are living to advanced ages previously considered extraordinary.
  • This trend shows an evolution in the relationship between animals and their owners, indicating more consideration for their lives and a growing recognition of companion animals’ lives’ value.

Cite This Article

APA
Cozzi B, Ballarin C, Mantovani R, Rota A. (2017). Aging and Veterinary Care of Cats, Dogs, and Horses through the Records of Three University Veterinary Hospitals. Front Vet Sci, 4, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00014

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 4
Pages: 14
PII: 14

Researcher Affiliations

Cozzi, Bruno
  • Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Ballarin, Cristina
  • Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Mantovani, Roberto
  • Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Rota, Ada
  • Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.

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