PSV-A-13 Using Canine Olfaction to Detect Bovine Respiratory Disease: An Analysis of two Dogs’ Performance

Abstract Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) detection is a major challenge in feedlot cattle management. In pilot study, two dogs were trained using sets of three samples to identify nasal swabs from that developed signs BRD after arrival. Cattle arrived at the four lots and included mixture bulls (n=306) steers (n=89). final stage training, Dog A accuracy was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.79-0.85) B 0.63 0.60-0.67). Kruskal-Wallis test identified differences across (P < 0.001). Differences between pairs by Wilcoxon tests. Accuracy for Lot 2 (0.53, 95% 0.46-0.59) lower than all other lots. The greatest accuracy, 0.96 0.92-1.00), where positive sample came different lot both negative samples, differed except 4. detected no (p = 0.76) consisted (0.73, 0.69-0.76) (0.72, 0.69-0.75). After double-blind test, unfamiliar (n=123) presented as 41 sets. Each set evaluated twice each dog. 0.39 0.28-0.50), better chance; however, B’s 0.45 0.34-0.56), 0.33 expected chance. neither 0.33) nor sex 0.11) impacted performance either Dogs’ consensus 0.54 0.38-0.69). Overall, showed some ability discriminate BRD-affected healthy swabs, however multiple compounding factors may have influenced canines’ decision making this trial.