Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Injuries and illnesses in FEMA search dogs after 2014 Oso landslide
By Gordon, Lori E·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2015·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: 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.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 25 search-and-rescue dogs deployed to Oso, Washington, after a landslide experienced various injuries and illnesses during their work. Most of the dogs, about 84%, suffered from wounds like abrasions and paw pad splits, while dehydration was the most common illness. Despite these issues, all dogs continued to work while receiving treatment, and their health problems were resolved either during the deployment or shortly after returning home. The quick veterinary care they received helped prevent more serious complications.
People also search for: search and rescue dog injuries · dehydration in working dogs · dog paw pad injuries treatment
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.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26421402/