Table 4.
Final multivariable binary logistic regression model for owners reporting that they had spent more than they expected at veterinary clinics on their dog’s health since the first questionnaire in puppyhood (in November/December 2020 aged ≤ 7 months) amongst a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired < 16 weeks (n = 846)
| Variable | Category | Odds Ratio | 95% CI* | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog sold without microchip details | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 5.59 | 1.19–26.37 | 0.030 | |
| Owner saw health test results of mother/father | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.53 | 1.07–2.18 | 0.019 | |
| Breeder had provided puppy with first vaccinations prior to acquisition | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.51 | 1.02–2.25 | 0.041 | |
| Owner reported health issues they were concerned about (at time of first questionnaire) | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 2.52 | 1.23–5.16 | 0.012 | |
| Purchased breed/crossbreed for exercise encouragement | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.52 | 1.07–2.14 | 0.018 | |
| †Dog sex | Male | Ref | ||
| Female | 0.68 | 0.48–0.96 | 0.027 | |
| †Dog insurance status at 21-months | Not insured | Ref | ||
| Insured | 2.71 | 1.38–5.35 | 0.004 | |
| †Owner age | 18–24 years | 0.50 | 0.17–1.47 | 0.209 |
| 25–34 years | 0.73 | 0.43–1.24 | 0.250 | |
| 35–44 years | 1.02 | 0.62–1.68 | 0.932 | |
| 45–54 years | Ref | 0.085 | ||
| 55–64 years | 1.27 | 0.76–2.11 | 0.358 | |
| 65–74 years | 2.07 | 1.12–3.82 | 0.020 | |
| ≥ 75 | 0.86 | 0.17–4.24 | 0.853 | |
| † ‡Typical adult bodyweight | ≤ 10 kg | 0.72 | 0.45–1.17 | 0.187 |
| 10 to < 20 kg | Ref | 0.456 | ||
| 20 to < 30 kg | 0.93 | 0.60–1.46 | 0.764 | |
| 30 to < 40 kg | 0.99 | 0.60–1.65 | 0.979 | |
| ≥ 40 kg | 0.22 | 0.03–1.85 | 0.165 | |
| †First-time dog owner | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.48 | 1.00–2.18 | 0.050 | |
| †Owner gender | Male | Ref | ||
| Female | 0.74 | 0.40–1.36 | 0.331 | |
| †Neutered | No | Ref | ||
| Yes | 1.08 | 0.75–1.55 | 0.689 | |
| † ‡Purebred status | Crossbred | Ref | ||
| Purebred | 0.91 | 0.63–1.33 | 0.637 | |
| † ‡Purebred designer status | Crossbred | Ref | 0.885 | |
| Designer Crossbred | 1.07 | 0.43–2.71 | 0.881 | |
| Purebred | 0.97 | 0.39–2.40 | 0.951 | |
| †Breed | Crossbred | Ref | 0.099 | |
| Border Collie | 0.78 | 0.19–3.16 | 0.726 | |
| Border Terrier | 0.52 | 0.12–2.38 | 0.403 | |
| Cavapoo | 0.54 | 0.11–2.60 | 0.445 | |
| Cockapoo | 1.06 | 0.38–2.94 | 0.916 | |
| Cocker Spaniel | 0.45 | 0.14–1.46 | 0.186 | |
| English Springer Spaniel | 1.03 | 0.24–4.50 | 0.971 | |
| Golden Retriever | 1.10 | 0.31–3.88 | 0.885 | |
| Labradoodle | 1.28 | 0.38–4.33 | 0.696 | |
| Labrador Retriever | 0.77 | 0.28–2.15 | 0.619 | |
| Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund | 0.47 | 0.11–1.98 | 0.301 | |
| Other | 1.11 | 0.45–2.74 | 0.830 | |
| Whippet | 3.87 | 1.10–13.56 | 0.035 | |
| † ‡Breed group | Not KC recognised | Ref | 0.396 | |
| Gundog | 0.71 | 0.45–1.12 | 0.140 | |
| Hound | 0.99 | 0.53–1.82 | 0.961 | |
| Pastoral | 0.51 | 0.21–1.23 | 0.134 | |
| Terrier | 0.96 | 0.49–1.86 | 0.899 | |
| Toy | 1.67 | 0.64–4.34 | 0.291 | |
| Utility | 1.27 | 0.66–2.43 | 0.476 | |
| Working | 1.05 | 0.41–2.69 | 0.928 |
†
Included as per information theory as a variable of a priori interest, regardless of significance.
‡
Dog demographic variables individually used to replace breed (most common 12 breeds at 21-months) in the original model.
°Retained in model for improved model fit.
*
95% confidence interval. Significant results are emboldened.