Medical surveillance of search dogs deployed to the World Trade Center and Pentagon: 2001-2006.

In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center and Pentagon, almost 50,000 rescue workers and approximately 300 search and rescue dogs participated in rescue and recovery operations. The dogs were exposed to the same hazards as the human workers, but did not have any of the personal protective gear. This prospective double cohort observational study compared annual medical history, blood biochemical and hematologic results, and thoracic radiographic findings in 95 search and rescue dogs that responded to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center or the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, to a control group of 55 search and rescue dogs that were not involved in the 9/11 response.

Pathology and toxicology findings for search-and-rescue dogs deployed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack sites: initial five-year surveillance.

A long-term surveillance study was conducted on 95 search-and-rescue (S&R) dogs deployed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack sites; an additional 55 nondeployed S&R dogs served as controls. After 5 years of surveillance, 32% of the deployed dogs have died and 24% of the nondeployed dogs. The mean age at the time of death in these 2 groups of dogs is not significantly different.

Anticoagulant effects of low-molecular-weight heparins in healthy cats.

Background: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has potential benefit in cats at risk for thromboembolic disease. However, LMWH pharmacokinetics has not been characterized in the cat. Drug effect with LMWH may be evaluated with analysis of factor Xa inhibition (anti-Xa) or thromboelastography (TEG).

Deployment morbidity among search-and-rescue dogs used after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Objectives: To determine characteristics, variables associated with deployment morbidity, and injuries and illnesses of search-and-rescue dogs associated with the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Design: Historical cohort study.

Animals: 96 dogs.

Medical and behavioral surveillance of dogs deployed to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon from October 2001 to June 2002.

Objective: To evaluate early medical and behavioral effects of deployment to the World Trade Center, Fresh Kills Landfill, or the Pentagon on responding search-and-rescue (SAR) dogs.

Design: Prospective double cohort study.

Animals: The first cohort included SAR dogs responding to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks (deployed), and the second cohort included SAR dogs trained in a similar manner but not deployed (controls).