Dale Fiona, Brodbelt Dave C, West Gabriella, Church David B, Lee Yan Hui, O'Neill Dan G
Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Herts, UK.
Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, Herts, UK.
Canine Med Genet. 2024 Jan 24;11(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s40575-023-00135-y.
Shih Tzus are a popular dog breed in the UK although there is relatively little reported information on their health. This study aimed to characterise the demography, common disorders and mortality of Shih Tzus under primary veterinary care during 2016 in the UK using de-identified clinical records from the VetCompass™ Programme.
The study population of 336,865 dogs under veterinary care during 2016 included 11,082 Shih Tzus (3.3%). The median age was 4.1 years (IQR: 2.1-7.1, range: 0.3-20.4) and mean adult bodyweight was 7.9 kg (SD: 1.9 kg). Annual proportional births increased from 2.2% of all dog births in 2005 to 3.8% in 2013, dropping to 3.3% by 2016. From a random subset of 2,423 Shih Tzus that had information extracted on disorders diagnosed during 2016, the most prevalent fine-level precision disorders were periodontal disease (n = 229, prevalence 9.5%, 95% CI: 8.4-10.7), anal sac impaction (180, 7.4%, 95% CI: 6.5-8.5) and ear disorders (134, 5.5%, 95% CI: 4.7-6.5). The most prevalent grouped-level precision disorders were cutaneous (n = 402, prevalence: 16.6%, 95% CI: 15.2-18.1), dental (322, 13.3%, 95% CI: 12.0-14.7), and ophthalmological (289, 11.9%, 95% CI: 10.7-13.3). Males were more likely than females to be diagnosed with skin disorders (P = 0.007) and musculoskeletal disorders (P = 0.010) while females were more likely than males to be diagnosed with hernias (P = 0.005). The median age of death was 12.7 years (IQR 8.7-14.3, range 2.0-19.9) and did not differ statistically between males and females. The most common grouped causes of death were enteropathy (7.9%, 95% CI: 3.9-15.4), heart disease (7.9%, 95% CI: 3.9-15.4) and poor quality of life (7.9%, 95% CI: 3.9-15.4).
Periodontal disease, anal sac impaction and ear disorders were identified as common health issues. Shih Tzus had higher prevalence of anal sac impaction, umbilical hernias and eye problems than reported previously in dogs overall, suggesting potential predispositions. Shih Tzus appear to be relatively long-lived compared to previous reports of lifespan in dogs overall. The results can inform veterinarians and owners on priority disorders for monitoring to protect welfare. Oral hygiene was highlighted as a healthcare priority.
西施犬在英国是一种受欢迎的犬种，尽管关于其健康状况的报道相对较少。本研究旨在利用VetCompass™计划中匿名的临床记录，描述2016年英国接受初级兽医护理的西施犬的人口统计学特征、常见疾病和死亡率。
2016年接受兽医护理的336,865只犬的研究群体中包括11,082只西施犬（3.3%）。中位年龄为4.1岁（四分位距：2.1 - 7.1，范围：0.3 - 20.4），成年犬平均体重为7.9千克（标准差：1.9千克）。年度比例出生率从2005年占所有犬出生数的2.2%增加到2013年的3.8%，到2016年降至3.3%。从2016年诊断出疾病信息的2423只西施犬的随机子集中，最常见的精细水平的精确疾病是牙周病（n = 229，患病率9.5%，95%置信区间：8.4 - 10.7）、肛门腺堵塞（180，7.4%，95%置信区间：6.5 - 8.5）和耳部疾病（134，5.5%，95%置信区间：4.7 - 6.5）。最常见的分组水平的精确疾病是皮肤疾病（n = 402，患病率：16.6%，95%置信区间：15.2 - 18.1）、牙科疾病（322，13.3%，95%置信区间：12.0 - 14.7）和眼科疾病（289，11.9%，95%置信区间：10.7 - 13.3）。雄性比雌性更易被诊断出患有皮肤疾病（P = 0.007）和肌肉骨骼疾病（P = 0.010），而雌性比雄性更易被诊断出患有疝气（P = 0.005）。死亡的中位年龄为12.7岁（四分位距8.7 - 14.3，范围2.0 - 19.9），雄性和雌性之间无统计学差异。最常见的分组死亡原因是肠病（7.9%，95%置信区间：3.9 - 15.4）、心脏病（7.9%，95%置信区间：3.9 - 15.4）和生活质量差（7.9%，95%置信区间：3.9 - 15.4）。
牙周病、肛门腺堵塞和耳部疾病被确定为常见健康问题。西施犬肛门腺堵塞、脐疝和眼部问题的患病率高于之前总体犬类的报道，表明可能存在易感性。与之前总体犬类寿命的报道相比，西施犬似乎寿命相对较长。这些结果可为兽医和犬主提供有关监测重点疾病以保护犬类健康的信息。口腔卫生被强调为医疗保健的重点。
