(OT08) Evaluation of Factors Associated with Euthanasia vs Unassisted Death in the Dog Aging Project Pack

Abstract: Background
The Dog Aging Project (DAP) is a nationwide, long-term longitudinal study of aging in companion dogs. Each owner who reports the death of an enrolled dog is invited to complete the End of Life Survey (EOLS) to describe experiences surrounding the death of their dog.

Objectives
To examine the relationship between manner of death (unassisted vs euthanasia) with predictor variables. We also seek to identify factors most likely to contribute to an owner's decision to euthanize.

Animals
Deceased DAP Pack Members whose owners filled out EOLS, first curated data release. (N=2570)

Methods
Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with euthanasia.

Results
Demographics of the dogs represented in the survey results are reported in Table 1. Age was a significant predictor of euthanasia with older dogs more likely to be euthanized than die unassisted (p=8.73E-05). Dogs with ‘old age’ and illness as the owner-reported cause of death were equally likely to experience euthanasia or unassisted death. Dogs with trauma, sedation complication, and sudden death as the owner-reported cause of death were less likely to experience euthanasia than unassisted death (all p< 0.02 ). Presence (p< 3.61E-13) and number (p< 2.2E-10) of aging characteristics were also positively associated with euthanasia.

Conclusions and clinical importance
Discovery of factors associated with the choice of euthanasia can inform veterinarian communication with owners considering this option. Owner perception of certain characteristics in their dogs may influence their decision to euthanize. Continued analysis of this dataset will evaluate the relative weight of these factors.