282. Nutrition Management Practices for Detection Dogs Within Varying Fields During Deployment: Insights from Handler-Reported Survey Data.

Abstract Working dogs have increased fat and protein requirements and are also frequently exposed to stressors associated with travel, environmental change, and altered feeding routines. All of these factors may contribute to gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances. Despite the importance of maintaining GI health for performance and welfare, standardized management strategies during travel and deployment remain poorly defined across varying disciplines which may vary in physical exertion and deployment challenges. The objective of this study was to characterize current GI management practices among detection dog handlers and to evaluate associations among detection fields, deployment conditions and GI outcomes. A cross-sectional survey (IRB # 25194) was distributed to handlers across North America. Data were collected on feeding strategies, stool-consistency change, and detection field. The objective of this study was to identify changes in canine nutrition management related to travel, deployment, or detection discipline. Associations between categorical variables were evaluated using Pearson’s chi-square tests of independence. For analyses comparing detection field, responses were restricted to LEO and SAR groups when used for collapsed comparisons. Statistical significance was set at P = 0.05. After data cleaning, responses from 163 handlers were included: 65.0% LEO, 27.6% SAR, and 7.3% other detection fields. Diets were agency-provided for 32.1% of LEO handlers compared with 15.6% of SAR handlers (χ² = 4.33, df = 1, P = 0.037), indicating SAR handlers more frequently purchased their own food. Overall, 41.7% (n = 68) of respondents reported some level of diet rotation, with similar results from both LEO and SAR groups (χ² = 1.41, df = 1, P = 0.235). Exposure to extreme heat during deployment was commonly reported by both LEO (88.7%) and SAR (80.0%) handlers (χ² = 1.84, df = 1, P = 0.175). Among respondents reporting temperature-related environmental conditions (heat, humidity, or cold), 95.8% also reported changes in stool consistency during deployment (χ² = 8.69, df = 1, P = 0.0032). These data indicate that detection dogs working in heat have a higher potential for gastrointestinal complications and should be managed more carefully. This survey provides a novel glimpse of management practices within high-risk detection dogs at work. Detection dogs are part of our national security apparatus, and their health and management are critical to human health and safety. This study provides important new details related to dietary rotation and frequency of gastrointestinal complications during deployment. Follow-up studies should be considered to investigate methods for preventing gastrointestinal complications related to common deployment conditions like heat exposure. Additionally, studies investigating the impact of gastrointestinal complications on olfactory performance in detection dogs should be considered.