Investigation of risk factors for mortality in aged guide dogs: A retrospective cohort study

The majority of dogs were Golden Retrievers (n = 48) and Labrador Retrievers (n = 27). Median age at geriatric examination was 8.9 years. A total of 76 dogs died during follow-up, leading to a median survival time from geriatric examination of 4.4 years. After adjustment for demographic and biological variables, an increased alanine amionotransferase level (adjusted Hazard Ratio (adjusted HR), 6.2; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 2.0-19.0; P < 0.01), presenting skin nodules (adjusted HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.4; P = 0.04), and not being a Labrador Retriever (adjusted HR, 3.3; 95%CI, 1.4-10; P < 0.01) were independently associated with a shorter time to death. This study documents independent associations of alanine aminotransferase level, skin nodules and breed with mortality in aged guide dogs. These results may be useful for preventive medical care when conducting a geriatric examination in working dogs.