Risk assessment of canine periodontal disease: insights from owner-reported health questionnaires.

Age, breed, halitosis, and head touch sensitivity effectively identify canine periodontal disease risk.

This large epidemiological study analyzed owner-reported health data from 12,753 pet dogs to identify risk factors for periodontal disease, which affected 50.5% of the surveyed population. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, researchers identified age, breed, oral diagnoses, clinical symptoms, and oral care habits as significant risk factors. Dogs aged ≥8 years demonstrated substantially elevated risk (OR 1.37-2.43) compared to those under 4 years (OR 0.30-0.64). Breed predisposition varied significantly, with American cocker spaniels and Papillons showing increased susceptibility (OR 2.52 and 2.36 respectively), while English Bulldogs demonstrated protective effects (OR 0.12). Clinical symptoms including halitosis and resistance to head touch were strong indicators of periodontal disease presence. These findings provide veterinary practitioners with evidence-based risk stratification tools to identify high-risk patients for preventive interventions and earlier disease detection.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.