Injuries and illnesses among Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified search-and-recovery and search-and-rescue dogs deployed to Oso, Washington, following the March 22, 2014, State Route 530 landslide.
J Am Vet Med Assoc
; 247(8): 901-8, 2015 Oct 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26421402
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To establish types and rates of injuries and illnesses among search-and-recovery and search-and-rescue dogs deployed to Oso, Wash, following the March 22, 2014, State Route 530 landslide.DESIGN:
Medical records review and cross-sectional survey. ANIMALS 25 Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified search dogs. PROCEDURES On-site medical records and postdeployment laboratory test results were reviewed and an electronic survey was distributed to handlers within 8 days after demobilization.RESULTS:
Dogs worked a total of 244 search shifts totaling 2,015 hours. Injuries and illnesses were reported in 21 (84%) dogs. Wounds (abrasions, pad wear, paw pad splits, and lacerations) were the most common injury, with an incidence rate of 28.3 wounds/1,000 hours worked. Dehydration was the most common illness, with an incidence rate of 10.4 cases of dehydration/1,000 hours worked. Total incidence rate for all health events was 66.5 events/1,000 hours worked. Two search dogs were removed from search operations for 2 days because of health issues. All others continued search operations while receiving treatment for their medical issues. All health issues were resolved during the deployment or within 2 weeks after demobilization. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results revealed that search dogs deployed to the Oso, Wash, landslide incurred injuries and illnesses similar to those reported following other disasters (dehydration, wounding, vomiting, and diarrhea) but also incurred medical issues not previously documented (acute caudal myopathy, cutaneous mass ruptures, and fever). The reported medical issues were minor; however, prompt veterinary care helped prevent them from developing into more serious conditions.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Trabalho de Resgate
/
Desastres
/
Doenças do Cão
/
Cães
/
Deslizamentos de Terra
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Am Vet Med Assoc
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article