Krankheitsinzidenzen des Hundes - Der Einfluss des Alters sowie von Geschlecht, Größe und Rasse

Disease Incidences in Dogs – Dependency on Age, Sex, Size and Breed
A Retrospective Study Based upon all In-Patient Dogs at the First
Clinic for Internal Veterinary Medicine in Munich 1991 – 1997 This
retrospective study is based upon the case files of all in-patient
dogs treated at the First Clinic for Internal Veterinary Medicine
of the Ludwig - Maximillians University in Munich within the period
from 1991 and 1997. Data from 6005 patients, totalling 14056
diagnoses is listed and evaluated. The sex ratio (male : female) is
1.1 : 1 (i. e. almost balanced). 10.3 % of the male and 35.3 % of
the female dogs were castrated. The population was composed of 164
breeds, which were classified into 15 breed groups for the
analysis. The average age of the patients increased during the
period investigated. Correlations between age and sex and height
and breeds, respectively, have been observed. The multimorbidity
increased significantly with the age. Additionally, the height and
the breed of the patients also affected it. The multimorbidity of
big dogs was lower than that of small dogs. Poodles, Dachshunds and
Spaniels showed the highest multimorbidity, Labradors/Retrievers
the lowest one. The following observations were made: Age-related
tendencies: Infectious diseases (especially virus infections) were
observed predominantly in young animals as well as (endo-)
parasites and inflammatory respiratory tract diseases. Young adult
dogs commonly experienced poisoning and injuries. Diseases of the
heart, the liver, the pancreas, the endocrine and the reproductive
system, diseases of the kidneys and the eyes, variations in body
weight and tumors were typical in older animals. Dermatological
diseases, diseases of the ears, the nervous system, the digestive
tract, the blood and the hematopoetic system as well as diseases of
the lymphatic organs had a higher prevalence with increasing age.
Nevertheless there are variations within special disease groups
regarding the age-relationship. For example, ear parasites and the
disease complex “encephalitis/meningitis/myelitis" affected
predominantly young adult dogs. The age-predilection of vaginitis
and balanoposthitis did not correspond to its disease group
(vaginitis: decreasing incidence with increasing age;
balanoposthitis: incidence decreased after age of nine).
Gastroenteritis occurred less often in older dogs. Hypothyroidism
was most prevalent in middle-aged dogs (six to nine years). Sex
predilections: Female dogs were predisposed to variations in body
weight, poisoning, endocrine diseases and also – but only slightly
- to diseases of the respiratory tract. Male dogs appeared to be at
increased risk for heart diseases, diseases of the nervous and the
digestive system, for malformations and injuries. Infectious
diseases, parasites, diseases of the reproductive and the immune
system were more often diagnosed in intact than in castrated dogs.
Diseases of the skin, the liver, the nervous and the metabolic
system, the pancreas, tumors, variations in body weight and
injuries occurred predominantly in castrated animals.
Height-specific predilections: Diseases of the eyes, the liver, the
heart, the digestive tract, the pancreas and endocrine diseases and
deformities were more common in smaller dogs. Big dogs were prone
to infectious diseases, skin, ear and circulation diseases as well
as to gynecologic/andrologic, blood and hematologic diseases,
diseases of the lymphatic and the immune system. Parasites and
variations in body weight were also more often diagnosed in bigger
dogs. Renal diseases showed no height disposition, but they were
often diagnosed in giant breeds. Diseases of the nervous system
occurred rarely in giant breeds. Tumors were strikingly more common
in bigger than in smaller dogs. Breed predilections: The
disposition of big dogs for infectious diseases and parasites
correlated with the breed predilection (Greyhounds,
Retrievers/hunting dogs). Pomerians, Boxers and the German shepherd
were prone to dermatological diseases. Pendulous-eared dogs and
Rottweilers were predisposed to ear diseases. Spaniels, Poodles and
Terriers had ophthalmologic problems more often than other breeds.
Bernese Mountain Dogs showed a high incidence for diseases of the
kidneys and the lower urinary tract. Cocker Spaniels and Boxers
developed tumors much more frequently. Poodles, Terriers, Spaniels
and Dachshunds were predisposed to diseases of the pancreas as well
as to diseases of the heart and the endocrine system. Terriers and
Pinchers/Schnauzers often revealed diseases of the liver and the
gallbladder. Hunting dogs (Irish Setters) suffered more commonly
from gynecologic and andrologic diseases. Diseases of the nervous
system affected especially Cocker Spaniels, West Highland White
Terriers and Boxers. Brachycephalic breeds had a high incidence in
deformities.