Prevalence of disease in dogs purchased from an animal rescue shelter

The prevalence of diseases suffered by dogs within two weeks of their acqui sition from a rescue shelter in Northern Ireland was investigated. A postal questionnaire was completed by 556 people who had purchased a dog from the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) to provide information on the diseases suffered by their dog. The majority of the dog s (53.7 per cent) had an ailment, the most common being coughing and diarrh oea. Of the respondents who returned their dog to the USPCA, 92 per cent di d so because the animal was unhealthy. Stray dogs were more likely to have an ailment than unwanted dogs, specifically coughing, and/or skin problems. More puppies suffered from parvovirus, vomiting, and/or diarrhoea than did juveniles or adults. Adult dogs were more likely to have a cough than juve niles or puppies. There was no association between the sex of the dogs and their ailments.