Friday, March 29, 2024

Dogged detail

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TeamMate, a five-year nationwide observational project examining the factors which affect farm dogs’ health, is now into its third year. Lynda Gray checks its progress. Working like a dog is all very well but what’s being a working dog like? The truth is no one really knows. Although they’ve been part of farming in New Zealand for more than 150 years there’s scant documented research on what factors affect the health, wellbeing and longevity of the guess-timated 130,000 farm dog workforce. But TeamMate, a five-year nationwide observational project is starting to fill this huge knowledge gap. Officially launched in November 2013, the project is being led by Central Otago vet Lori Linney and co-ordinated by Helen Williamson, both from Vetlife, in association with Dr Naomi Cogger of Massey University’s Working Dog Centre. Since launch 156 dog owners and 500 dogs from Canterbury south have been signed-up. Long term, the goal is to extend geographical coverage and dog participants to more than 1000 by engaging more veterinary practices. On each TeamMate farm every working dog, from nursing pup to pensioner porch-dweller, is recorded. The monitoring of key data doesn’t start until 18 months of age but registering pups at birth and revisiting them at a later date is in itself a worthwhile exercise giving insight into whether they’re sold or given away.
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The dog owners, most aged 40-plus and with more than 20 years of dog training experience provide details about themselves, their dogs and the farm and terrain they work on.

Information gathered has covered a wide range of topics from feeding, health and work performed to kenneling, parasites and whether or not dog jackets are used.

Key measurements have been taken including body, front and back leg lengths, and head circumference to get an indication of how body size and proportions might affect working performance and susceptibility to injury.

Condition scores for body, coat and muscle have also been recorded. The dogs will get full twice-yearly examinations for five years to build a picture of changes over time. All abnormalities are being recorded providing information previously  unavailable unless injuries were severe enough to warrant a visit to the vet.

“We’re so grateful to the farmers who share their information, time and dogs willingly with us,” Williamson said.

Linney and Williamson are in the throes of starting another TeamMate chapter, using Heyrex monitors – the equivalent of Fitbits for dogs. 

The small monitors will be fitted to the collars of 100 dogs in the study for 14 months to record physical activity, sleep quality and quantity, and “experiential” temperature, which is somewhere between body and air temperature.

To date only basic data has been analysed but reading over survey forms has turned-up some interesting information, such as heading dogs being almost twice as likely to injure themselves at work. This was probably because heading dogs are more up-close and confrontational with stock than huntaways who tend to spend most of the time behind stock driving them forward.

The most injury-prone areas of a working dog are wrists (carpus) on the front legs and the stifle on the back legs.

“By identifying common injuries we may be able to identify factors to prevent or minimise their long-term effects,” Linney said.

Misunderstanding on the correct treatment for sheep measles has also been highlighted.

“A lot believe they are treating for sheep measles but they aren’t,” Linney said.

“They need to be dosing once a month with an appropriate tapeworm treatment. They also need to stop dogs scavenging and make sure they feed sheep meat that has been deep frozen for at least seven days.”

The death of dogs from choking on dog roll has been mentioned by seven owners.

“We’ve also had a couple of dogs brought in to clinics because of this. The message is to make sure that dog roll is cut up into small chunks.”

A 2014 Australian study estimated that an Australian stock herding dog performed about A$40,000 of work during its lifetime yet owners were only prepared to spend $1000-$2000 on vet treatment to alleviate or cure an illness or injury. There is no estimate as to the value of work NZ farm dogs perform through their working life but most farmers agree a good dog is a priceless asset, Linney said.

“They’re an asset so it pays to look after them and what we’re aiming to do is to identify the factors that will add to their health, wellbeing, productivity and longevity.”

TeamMate facts

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