Trends and Demographic Characteristics of Dog and Cat Patients at SAQ-Teaching Veterinary Hospital: A Retrospective Analysis (2021-2023)

Abstract

The popularity of pet animals, particularly dogs and cats, has been steadily rising in Chattogram, Bangladesh, especially in the post-COVID-19 era. The purpose of the study was to understand trends and demographic characteristics of dog and cat patients attended to SAQ-teaching veterinary hospital (SAQTVH), Chattogram. The retrospective data of 2842 patients (Dogs: 487 and cats: 2355) on demography, health condition, vaccination status and disease prevalence were collected from patient record sheet of dogs and cats for the years 2021 to 2023. The obtained data were entered into MS-Excel 2010 and descriptive statistics were done. The study reveals a notable increase in the number of cats, which rose from 297 in 2021 to 1,245 in 2023, while the number of dogs decreased from 172 to 153 over the same period. Cats consistently surpassed dogs each year, with the highest combined population of 1,399 recorded in 2023. Breed distribution analysis shows that local dog breeds dominated, peaking at 66.5% in 2022, while German Shepherds remained the second most prevalent breed. Among cats, crossbred varieties were the most common, with local breeds following closely. Sex distribution data indicate a higher proportion of female cats (92.20% in 2023) compared to males, whereas male dogs consistently exceeded females. Vaccination rates also increased, with 89.90% of cats vaccinated in 2023, while dog vaccination rates remained lower, at 10.10%. Disease data reveal that 88.80% of cats treated in 2023 had infectious diseases, while non-infectious conditions predominated in dogs. Overall, infectious diseases were more common in cats (82.60%), while non-infectious conditions were more prevalent in dogs (83.20%). This study highlights the growing prominence of cats as pets in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The findings provide valuable insights into the changing demographics and health trends of pet animals treated at SAQTVH, with implications for veterinary care practices and future research in the region.