University of Pennsylvania

Disease(s): Search and Rescue
Sponsor(s): AKC CAR, German Shepherd Dog Club of America, Golden Retriever Foundation
Researcher(s): Cynthia Otto, DVM, PhD
Breed(s): All (non-specified), Golden Retriever

Report Date: April 15, 2007

Abstract: We have been monitoring the health and behavior of the search and rescue dogs deployed on 9/11/01 to the World Trade Center and Pentagon disasters since shortly after those events took place. During the first year of surveillance, significant changes were identified in the blood work of the deployed dogs versus the control dogs. These changes proved temporary however, and in year two of the study, blood work values mostly returned to normal. These initial changes suggest that deployed dogs were exposed to more hazardous substances during deployment and ultimately these substances are likely to cause long-term health changes. Additionally, ten deployed dogs and two control dogs have died since surveillance began. This rate of mortality, while not completely unexpected in this size population, is important considering the major cause of death in deployed dogs was cancer. Another four deployed dogs have been diagnosed and are currently living with cancer. It is essential that we evaluate these dogs throughout their lifespan to determine whether the 9/11 deployment is a factor in the rate and onset of cancer in these dogs.

Significant finding: At this time, no particular cancer is more prevalent in deployed vs control dogs and there was no increase in rate of cancers in dead deceased vs deceased controls.