RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS OF THE 28th ECVIM-CA CONGRESS

Ambient air pollution has been found to increase cardiovascular risk in many human epidemiological studies. However, little is known about such risk in pet dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between environmental factors and cardiovascular disease in dogs living an indoor lifestyle. A retrospective case‐control study was conducted in 103 client‐owned dogs. Physical examination, blood pressure measurement, and other clinical information (thoracic radiography, echocardiography, and/or previous diagnosis) obtained from their medical records were used to determine the presence or absence of cardiovascular disease. The environmental information of the dogs’ households (the presence/absence of indoor air pollution, ambient temperature, and household humidity) was obtained from the database of a previous project involving an indoor air pollution survey. Forty‐seven dogs with cardiovascular disease (chronic valvular heart disease, pulmonary hypertention, aortic insufficiency, arrhythmia, or borderline/sustained systemic hypertension) and 56 control dogs were compared. Except for household humidity (64.8% vs 68.3%, P = 0.048), exposure to several well‐known indoor air pollutants (second‐hand smoke, P = 0.72; cooking fumes, P = 0.29; incense burning, P = 0.61), the average PM2.5 concentration in the pet house (P = 0.53), and ambient temperature (P = 0.054) were not statistically different between dogs with and without cardiovascular disease. Among signalment factors, dogs with cardiovascular disease were significantly older (P < 0.001) and were more likely to be overweight (BCS ≥7/9) (P = 0.013) than control dogs. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed aging (adjust OR = 1.27, P = 0.004) and overweight (adjust OR = 4.34, P = 0.017) were associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in dogs. In conclusion, the association between environmental hazards and cardiovascular disease was not found in pet dogs.