Use of the veterinary medical database to update the veterinary oncology literature

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] In this dissertation we discuss the Veterinary Medical Database and how it can be used to perform epidemiological studies in the veterinary oncology field. We discuss many of the advantages and disadvantages that associated with the VMDB. In chapter 2 we evaluate the breed distribution of the VMDB and compare it to that of the AKC. We conclude that the two datasets have similar breed presentations and that the VMDB is more representative of the general population than some people have suggested. In chapter 3 we discuss how the VMDB can be used to provide important tumor incidence data. We also discuss how that data may play a role in making future research decisions. In chapter 4 we utilize the VMDB to update the canine skin tumor epidemiological data and highlight the usefulness of the VMDB in conducting epidemiological studies. In chapter 5 we analyzed the role of sex in the risk of developing canine lymphoma and compare it to the risk associated with sex in humans developing Non Hodgkin Lymphoma.