Data-driven life-stage classification for companion dogs and cats using age-specific diagnosis patterns in South Korea.
Saved in:
| Title: | Data-driven life-stage classification for companion dogs and cats using age-specific diagnosis patterns in South Korea. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Park, Jin-Young1, Kang, Seogjin2, Do, Yoon Jung2, Bok, Eun-yeong2, Park, Jong Ryul3, Kim, Tae Woo3, Lee, Chang-Min4, Ro, Woong-Bin4, Kim, Jang Yeop5, Lee, Dong Yun5, Kim, Heyong-Seok3 hskim@petobio.com, Min, Kyung-Duk1 kdmin@cbnu.ac.kr |
| Source: | Journal of Veterinary Science. Jan2026, Vol. 27 Issue 1, p1-14. 14p. |
| Document Type: | Article |
| Subjects: | Dogs, Age factors in disease, Life history theory, Periodic health examinations, Pets, Veterinary medicine, Cats |
| Geographic Terms: | South Korea |
| Author-Supplied Keywords: | age groups cats cluster analysis electronic medical records |
| Abstract: | Importance: With a growing companion animal population and their extended lifespans in South Korea, the need for health examinations tailored to specific life stages is increasing. However, an objective standard for defining these life stages is currently lacking. Objective: To classify life stages for companion dogs and cats by identifying clusters in age-specific disease proportions derived from medical records, providing a data-driven foundation for health examination programs. Methods: We collected 505,667 medical records from 82 veterinary facilities in South Korea between 2020 and 2023. Diagnoses were standardized using GPT-4o and S-BioBERT. Following preprocessing, data from 27 facilities yielded 222,706 canine and 39,910 feline records for the final analysis. Principal component analysis and K-means clustering (K = 4) were applied to age-specific disease proportions to identify life stages. The 10 most highest-proportion diagnoses diseases were determined for each cluster. Results: Canine life stages were classified as ≤ 1 year, 2–5 years, 6–10 years, and 11–15+ years. Feline life stages were 1–2 years, 3–8 years, 9–12 years, and 13–15+ years. In dogs, developmental diseases were common in the youngest age group, while chronic diseases were more prevalent in older groups. In cats, oral and urinary diseases were high-ranking, conjunctivitis was most common in the early stage, and chronic diseases increased with age. Conclusions and Relevance: Age-specific diagnosis patterns support four practical life stages for dogs and cats in South Korea. These boundaries can inform evidence-based preventive examination schedules, animal health policy, and pet insurance product design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Veterinary Science is the property of Korean Society of Veterinary Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Author Affiliations: | 1Laboratory of Veterinary Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea. 2Animal Diseases & Health Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Korea. 3Petobio Inc., Hanam 12982, Korea. 4Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 FOUR Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research Center, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea. 5Department of Defense Acquisition Program, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, Korea. |
| ISSN: | 1229-845X |
| DOI: | 10.4142/jvs.25144 |
| Accession Number: | 191464815 |
| Database: | Veterinary Source |
| Abstract: | Importance: With a growing companion animal population and their extended lifespans in South Korea, the need for health examinations tailored to specific life stages is increasing. However, an objective standard for defining these life stages is currently lacking. Objective: To classify life stages for companion dogs and cats by identifying clusters in age-specific disease proportions derived from medical records, providing a data-driven foundation for health examination programs. Methods: We collected 505,667 medical records from 82 veterinary facilities in South Korea between 2020 and 2023. Diagnoses were standardized using GPT-4o and S-BioBERT. Following preprocessing, data from 27 facilities yielded 222,706 canine and 39,910 feline records for the final analysis. Principal component analysis and K-means clustering (K = 4) were applied to age-specific disease proportions to identify life stages. The 10 most highest-proportion diagnoses diseases were determined for each cluster. Results: Canine life stages were classified as ≤ 1 year, 2–5 years, 6–10 years, and 11–15+ years. Feline life stages were 1–2 years, 3–8 years, 9–12 years, and 13–15+ years. In dogs, developmental diseases were common in the youngest age group, while chronic diseases were more prevalent in older groups. In cats, oral and urinary diseases were high-ranking, conjunctivitis was most common in the early stage, and chronic diseases increased with age. Conclusions and Relevance: Age-specific diagnosis patterns support four practical life stages for dogs and cats in South Korea. These boundaries can inform evidence-based preventive examination schedules, animal health policy, and pet insurance product design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1229845X |
| DOI: | 10.4142/jvs.25144 |