Canine Euthanasia's Trend Analysis during Thirty Years (1990-2020) in Italy: A Veterinary Hospital as Case Study

This study aimed to investigate changes in the number of, and reasons for, requests for dogs' euthanasia over the last thirty years. Data (breed, age, gender, neuter status, manner, and cause of death) from dogs' euthanasia registered between 1990 and 2020 in a small animals' veterina...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary sciences 2024-05, Vol.11 (5), p.224
Main Authors: Previti, Annalisa, Biondi, Vito, Pugliese, Michela, Alibrandi, Angela, Zirilli, Agata, Roccaro, Mariana, Peli, Angelo, Passantino, Annamaria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Animal euthanasia
animal welfare legislation
Case studies
Congenital diseases
Death
Decision making
Dogs
Euthanasia
Females
Laws, regulations and rules
Males
Metabolic disorders
Reproductive status
Statistical analysis
Toxins
trend
Variables
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Summary:This study aimed to investigate changes in the number of, and reasons for, requests for dogs' euthanasia over the last thirty years. Data (breed, age, gender, neuter status, manner, and cause of death) from dogs' euthanasia registered between 1990 and 2020 in a small animals' veterinary hospital were analyzed. The overall period examined has been split into two terms (T1 = 1990-2004 and T2 = 2005-2020) considering the introduction and enforcement of Law 189/2004. During the whole period examined, a significant increasing trend in euthanasia cases has been recorded ( = 0.027). Comparing the two terms, we observed significant differences regarding variables such as age, breed, reproductive status, and ownership. The number of euthanized dogs was significantly higher in T1 than in T2. Dogs euthanized in T2 were older than dogs in T1. A high percentage of the euthanized dogs were crossbred and stray dogs. Additionally, the number of neutered/spayed dogs was significantly higher. Regarding the cause of death, a significantly higher percentage of neoplastic processes was detected in T2. The data here reported suggest a potential influence of Law 189/2004. This law in Italy has proven to be a legal milestone that has influenced the decision-making process between euthanasia and natural death.
ISSN:2306-7381
2306-7381
DOI:10.3390/vetsci11050224