THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF DOGS PRESENTED FOR THE CAPTURENEUTER-VACCINATE-RELEASE (CNVR) PROGRAM IN BHUTAN

Abstract

A Capture Neuter Vaccinate Release (CNVR) programme was started in 2009 in Bhutan with the aim to control the dog population and the number of cases of rabiesin humans and other animals. As of 30 June 2013, a total of 48,051 dogs had been neutered and vaccinated in Bhutan. A clear understanding of the dynamics of the owned and un-owned dog population that were presented for the programme would enable better planning and targeting of resources to maximise the benefits of this programme. The aims of this study were to: describe the population demographics and health status of the dogs presented at the CNVR clinics. Analyses were performed on data of 22,399 dogs processed at the CNVR clinic from 01 July 2011 to 30 June 2013, which had individual records of their owner, sex, age, neuter and pregnancy status, and presence or absence of diseases such as transmissible venereal tumour (TVT), pyometra and mange. More than half (53.3%; 95% CI 52.8 – 53.7) of the dogs presented to the CNVR clinic were not owned (stray animals). The overall sex ratio in dogs was 1.2 males per female (1.06:1 for the stray dogs and 1.4:1 for the owned dogs). The age distribution was highly skewed towards the adult age groups in both the stray and owned dog populations. Approximately one quarter of the dogs brought to the clinic had been previously neutered. A higher proportion of owned dogs (32.7%) had previously been neutered than stray dogs (15.8%). Approximately 5% of the dogs presented to the CNVR clinic had one or more health problems (mange, TVT or pyometra). Stray dogs were at increased risk of acquiring a health problem (OR = 2.75; 95% CI 2.40 - 3.16) and this highlighted the need for a sustainable programme to look after both the health and welfare of the stray dog population. Of the 7,929 female dogs that were neutered at the clinic, 6.5% were pregnant. The number of foetuses ranged from 1 to 11 with a mean count of 4.9 ±1.6 (n = 518). The mean foetal count was lower in juvenile bitches (4.1 ±1.3) than in adult females (5.1 ±1.6). The mean foetal count in stray dogs (5.2 ±1.6) was higher than in owned dogs (4.4 ±1.5). Pregnant bitches were seen thorough-out the year; however more pregnancies were observed in September to December. To maximize the impact of the programme, future CNVR programmes should target females (owned and stray) with reinforcement of the programme at the time of the peak mating season.