Page 72 - Veterinary Toxicology, Basic and Clinical Principles, 3rd Edition

Epidemiology of Animal Poisonings in the United States Chapter | 2 39

VetBooks.ir (American Kennel Club (AKC), 2017). In 2016, APCC data, while Maltese were 10th in APCC cases com-
pared to 33rd in AKC ranking, and Shih Tzus ranked
Labradors accounted for approximately 15% of AKC reg-
istered breeds, with almost three times more registered
eighth in poison center cases, yet 20th in AKC registra-
than the next most popular breed, the German shepherd. tions. Parson Russell terriers appear to be markedly over-
During that same year, Labradors accounted for B17% of represented in APCC data compared to AKC registrations,
canine exposures in APCC cases, which was also three ranking 109th with AKC but 16th in APCC cases.
times more than the next most popular breed (the Golden However, many individuals of this breed are registered
Retriever), and which was not significantly different from with an independent breed registry rather than the AKC,
the AKC statistics. Rounding out the top 10 breeds for which may at least partially explain why the Parson
2016 poisoning calls, in descending order, are Chihuahua, Russell appears overrepresented in APCC data.
American Pit Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, Yorkshire Reports of poisoning cases in dogs have indicated no
Terrier, Beagle, Shih Tzu, Boxer, and Maltese. Table 2.1 gender predisposition, and dogs 1 year of age and under
compares the rankings of the top dog breeds in animal make up the largest age group of exposures to potentially
poisoning cases with their overall popularity according to toxic agents (McLean and Hansen, 2010). This is consis-
AKC breed registration statistics. Some breeds do appear tent with reports of canine poisonings in Europe, which
to be overrepresented in regards to exposures to potentially indicate that dogs 2 years of age and under are the largest
toxic agents. For instance, the Chihuahua ranked 30th in group of poisoning cases (Berny et al., 2009; McFarland
AKC registrations yet ranked third in cases called in to the et al., 2017).

TABLE 2.1 Comparison of Top Purebred Dog Breeds in Relation to Frequency of Exposures to Potentially Toxic
Agents Reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center with the Relative Popularity of those Breed Based on
Registration Statistics From the American Kennel Club in 2016 (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA). Top pet toxins of 2016. http://www.aspca.org/news/announcing-top-pet-toxins-2016; accessed
March 1, 2017; AKC, 2017)
Breed APCC Ranking AKC Ranking
Labrador Retriever 1 1
Golden Retriever 2 3
Chihuahua 3 30
American Pit Bull Terrier 4 NR
German Shepherd 5 2
Yorkshire Terrier 6 9
Beagle 7 5
Shih Tzu 8 20
Boxer 9 10
Maltese 10 33
Cocker Spaniel 11 29
Australian Shepherd 12 16
Siberian Husky 13 12
Miniature Dachshund 14 13
Pug 15 32
Parson Russell Terrier 16 109
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 17 19
Miniature Schnauzer 18 17
Border Collie 19 38
NR, not an AKC recognized breed (ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, unpublished data, 2016; AKC, 2017).