Ambient air pollution and respiratory illness in pet dogs

The presence of contaminants in ambient air is a global problem which poses significant health risks to humans, but chronic exposure is difficult to determine due to long latency periods and a paucity of appropriate epidemiologic studies. Pet dogs may be useful sentinels for potential environmental health exposures because they share our environment and exposure risks. Pet dogs have previously been used as sentinels for indoor air pollution studies. This study is a novel exploratory study using pet dogs for ambient air pollution.

This study investigates the relationship between ambient air pollution and rates of respiratory illness in pet dogs between Portland, Oregon and Seattle/Tacoma, Washington. These two cities have substantial differences in air quality. Average monthly air data from 2002-2006 were correlated with average rates of respiratory disease in each city.

Preliminary results show corresponding spikes in rates of respiratory illness following spikes in related ambient air pollutants. Results on the interactions between increased levels of PM10, SO2 and ozone and rates of allergic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia will be presented. We hope to later investigate the possible association between respiratory disease trends in pets with respiratory disease in humans.

This is a collaborative project between OSU's department of Public Health and the School of Veterinary Medicine. Bringing these two disciplines together has beneficial implications for both health fields and creates a model by which other interdisciplinary subjects may be studied. We gratefully acknowledge the collaboration of Drs. Elizabeth Lund and Hugh Lewis from Banfield, The Pet Hospital.