Breed distribution of dogs with diabetes mellitus admitted to a tertiary care facility.
OBJECTIVE
To determine which dog breeds are at low and high risk for developing diabetes mellitus (DM).


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
Hospital population of 221 dogs with DM and 42,882 dogs without DM during 5.5 years.


METHODS
165 breeds (including a mixed-breed category) were represented in the hospital population. Breed-specific expected numbers of dogs with DM were calculated by multiplying the proportion of all dogs admitted to the hospital that were determined to have DM during the study period by the breed-specific totals during the study period. Breeds or breed groups evaluated in the analysis (n = 20) were restricted to those that had a combined observed and expected count > 5 to document breeds at low and high risk for developing DM. Proportionate changes in the risk of developing DM by breed were calculated and presented using exact odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and P values. Mixed-breed dogs were chosen as the reference breed.


RESULTS
Samoyeds, Miniature Schnauzers, Miniature Poodles, Pugs, and Toy Poodles were at high risk for developing DM. Dog breeds found to be at low risk for developing DM were German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, and American Pit Bull Terrier.


CONCLUSIONS
The finding that certain dog breeds are at low or high risk for developing DM suggests that some genetic defects may predispose dogs to development of DM, whereas other genetic factors may protect dogs from development of DM.
Hess
R S
RS
Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6010, USA.
Kass
P H
PH
Ward
C R
CR
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D004285:Dogs; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors