Mortality and heavy metals environmental exposure: a study in dogs

• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1297311
• Publication Date: 2024-01-05T04:18:41Z
• Authors: Roberta Giugliano; Maria Ines Crescio; Valeria Cosma; Valentina Ciccotelli; Barbara Vivaldi; Elisabetta Razzuoli
• Keywords: Purebred; Environmental Pollution; Standardized mortality ratio

Introduction Dogs are human companions and share environmental conditions with their owners. Epidemiological studies have shown that dogs seem to be good sentinel animals for the association of diseases and/or mortality provoked by chronic exposure heavy metals (Cd, Pb). Methods In present work, we analyze registered death cases population from National Canine Registry 2020 2022, involving a dog 582,564 17,507 deaths. The rate in male not-purebred is higher than female purebred dogs, respectively. were cross-referenced pollution data relating concentration Cd Pb detected, between 2012 various municipalities Liguria region. We then calculated SMR (Standardized Mortality Rate) throughout region found increases eastern western Ligurian coast. Results discussion observed most polluted areas highest SMRs (IRR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.31 1.41). Considering ages, young not affected pollution, while old (10–20 years old) heavily it 8.97, 95%CI 8.09 9.93). conclusion, suggest importance canine health biomonitor provide basis future research both animal health.