Summary: Historical data on Greyhound races between 2014 and 2019 were analysed. Injuries and deaths were investigated.

Procedure: No approval was required for this study, as only historical data were used.
Collection of historical data on over 200 thousand greyhound race starts. They found that 4,100 injuries were reported from a total of 5,428 individual greyhounds over a 4-year period (September 2014 and June 2019). Of those, 271 died on the track or had to be killed.

Purpose: To investigate the frequency and types of greyhound injuries sustained during racing in New Zealand.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: Cadavers of dogs killed at an animal shelter were donated. Holes were drilled into leg bones and fitted with screws.

Procedure: Hind legs were removed from the bodies of 12 dogs who were killed at an animal shelter. Holes were drilled into the legs and fitted with screws placed at different angles.

Purpose: To compare the stability of leg bones under pressure when screws are inserted at different angles in the legs. These screws are commonly used in the repair of tenon ruptures that occur in working or racing dogs.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: Working farms dogs were examined regularly for four years. Health problems and fate were recorded.

Procedure: From May 2014, over 600 dogs working on New Zealand farms were enrolled in the 4-year study. They were between 18 months and 14 years old at the start and examined in 8-9 month intervals. Most dogs were Heading dogs (49%) and Huntaways (48%). Of 323 dogs who were healthy at the start, 184 developed problems with the skeleton or muscles at least once. In the end, 81 were "lost from work"; 59 dogs died or were euthanised, and 22 were retired. Acute injury or illness was the most commonly owner-reported reason.

Purpose: To investigate the general health, physical labour and injury incidence in dogs working on NZ farms. Many livestock farmers rely on dogs to effectively run their farms, and injury is a major reason for retiring or euthanising a working dog.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: A dog with diarrhoea was treated with laxatives and warm water before a faeces sample from a healthy dog was inserted into his colon. Samples were taken before and after.

Procedure: This study included two dogs in New Zealand (in addition to 10 in South Africa treated the same way).
One 8-year-old dog was used as a donor, whose freshly passed faeces was collected on the morning of treatment. Another dog, 3 years old, had diarrhoea for two days before the study. Faeces was collected, and a colonoscopy with biopsy was performed on admission. For faeces transplant preparation, the receiving dog was treated with lukewarm water orally for 8 hours and two laxatives. The transplant was inserted under general anaesthesia into the colon. More faeces samples were taken at discharge from the clinic (after 3 days) and one month post-discharge.

Purpose: To test the effect of one faeces transplantation from a healthy dog to a dog with acute hemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS). The study also aimed at investigating the bacteria in both animals’ colons.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: Eye examinations were performed on working sheep dogs. Medication for pupil dilation was given, and faeces samples were taken from most dogs.

Procedure: Eye examinations were performed on 184 sheep dogs, six months or older, on commercial sheep farms between April 2010 and July 2010. Faecal samples were collected from 170 dogs. Eye drops (Mydriacyl) were administered, and dogs with signs of eye abnormalities had their eyes photographed.

Purpose: To investigate the presence of eye disease in working sheep dogs in New Zealand, and whether there is a relationship between eye disease and the age, gender, breed and roundworm infection status of the dogs.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: Colony dogs were prepared with reflective markers and an activity collar. Their movements on a treadmill at various speeds were recorded.

Procedure: Huntaway colony dogs aged three to ten years were used. Eight dogs were acclimated to using a treadmill and wearing a safety harness for about six months, up to three times per week. Body measurements were taken using a measuring tape. Movements were recorded through reflective markers (with infrared cameras) and an accelerometer on the collar. Each dog was encouraged to use the treadmill at six different speeds (from a slow walk to a fast canter) for about 1min per speed.

Purpose: To test if activity data from a collar-mounted activity meter can be converted into clearly defined variables of speed and gait. For example, to assess treatment success in arthritis, different paces need to be identifiable.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: Working dogs were fed a diet very high or very low in carbohydrates. Their blood glucose and activity were monitored three times over four days each.

Procedure: Twenty-two healthy dogs of different breeds were chosen on  North Island farms. They were divided into one high-carb/low-fat and one low-carb/high-fat diet group. After acclimatisation to the new diet, their blood glucose and activity levels were measured over three 96-hour periods. Blood samples and body weight were taken at each period's start and end. For glucose measurements, a small square of fur was clipped on the side of the neck, and a measuring device (used in humans) was attached. An accelerometer on the collar measured activity.

Purpose: To test if high or low fat and carbohydrate content in a working dog's diet influences blood glucose and activity levels. In periods of intense work, these dogs have to deliver athletic performance, which is likely influenced by diet.

Source: Journal article

Year published: 2021

Summary: After a pilot study with just one dog, six more were given an experimental parasitic treatment. Regular blood samples were taken through a catheter.

Procedure: A pilot study with one dog using 0.1mg/kg abamectin had shown that it left the body within 36 hours. So in this study, six healthy dogs had a blood sample taken and were fed a small dose of the chemical. A catheter (a thin tube) was then inserted into the leg of each dog to regularly collect blood samples for 36 hours after the chemical was given to them.

Purpose: To study how abamectin behaves in dogs’ bodies (drug metabolism). Dogs have been poisoned by abamectin before. There is only limited knowledge of how the chemical is metabolised.

Source: Journal article

Year approved: 2021

Summary: Five pet dogs were trained over several months to identify catfish and goldfish smell in water samples.

Procedure: Five pet dogs aged between 10 months and 8 years, were trained to smell water samples from aquariums of either catfish, goldfish or no fish. The samples were presented in a rotating mechanical device one at a time. The dogs smelled the samples by pushing their noses through an opening in the front panel of the device, lifting a metal flap. If they correctly identified a sample, they were rewarded with one piece of dry kibble from an automated feeder. Each session of the experiment lasted for approximately 5 minutes and took place 2 days a week. After experiments using samples directly (one) and diluting samples more and more (two), 2 dogs progressed to a third experiment were different dilutions were mixed within the same session.

Purpose: To test how well dogs can find catfish from the smell of water samples taken from different fish tanks. The aim was to assess their use in the control of invasive fish species.

Source: Master’s thesis

Year published: 2020

Summary: Three pet dogs were trained over several months to identify koi carb smell in water samples.

Procedure: Three pet dogs aged four to six years had been trained to sniff water samples from different aquariums and correctly identify samples from a koi carp aquarium for a food reward. Up to seven sets of experimental sessions were run per day, two days per week. Samples of different species and different dilutions were tested. Dogs were kept onsite only on experimental days, were exercised in-between sessions and had free access to water. The dogs participated in experiments for around 9 months.

Purpose: To test if dogs can detect koi carp by smelling water samples taken from aquariums. The aim was to assess their use in controlling unwanted fish species.

Source: Master’s thesis

Year published: 2019