An Osteobiography of a 19th Century Dog from Toronto, Canada By: Eric Tourigny, Richard Thomas, Eric Guiry, Richard Earp, Andrew Allen, Jamie Rothenburger, Dennis Lawler and Marc Nussbaumer Abstract A dog burial uncovered from a historical homelot in Toronto, Canada, provided a unique opportunity to reconstruct the individual’s osteobiography. Of particular interest are the dog’s very large size and a suite of skeletal pathologies. Recovery of a nearly complete skeleton combined with the use of x-rays and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) allowed for a discriminating differential diagnoses. Results reveal an individual who suffered greatly from disease towards the end of his life and hint at its owners attitudes towards dogs. The interdisciplinary approach applied to this case study highlights the potential information obtainable from pet burials. We argue that better analyses and reporting of pet burials will help address research questions targeting broader themes related to human-animal relationships 19th-century Dog Burial In 2011, archaeologists working on a 19th-century homelot located in what is now downtown Toronto, came across a male dog burial in a context dating 1840-1870 (Fig. 1). The dog likely belonged to Thomas Bell Jr. and his family who occupied the residence at the time. What was most interesting about this particular individual was its very large size (~74cm shoulder height) and a suite of different skeletal pathologies. Discriminant function analysis of cranial measurements identified him to be closely related to the ‘Working Group’ breeds of dog, especially the Great Dane, Leonberger, St. Bernard and Newfoundland breeds. Infection of tympanic bulla X-rays of the cranium revealed the left tympanic bulla (ear cavity) exhibited advanced reactive bone formation and destruction consistent with chronic osteitis (Fig. 4) Degenerative Joint Disease Fig. 2: Left Maxilla, arrow points to cloaca Fig. 3: Left Ulna exhibiting new bone formation New Bone Formation Most interesting was the prolific, reactive periosteal new bone formation of the left forelimb (Fig. 3). Such formation is indicative of a number of different afflictions, however, the presence of a nearly complete skeleton allowed for more discriminating differential diagnosis. Metabolic diseases such as canine panosteitis and metaphyseal osteopathy were ruled out due to the advanced age of the dog and hypertrophic osteopathy was not possible due to the condition only being present on one limb. This dog was elderly at the time of death as evidenced by the state of epiphyseal fusion of long bones, the advanced state of dental attrition and advanced degenerative joint disease, especially along most of its spine (Fig. 5) and at both shoulders. These are common age related ‘wear and rear’ lesions more likely to appear in older individuals. Discussion Periodontal Disease Little is known of dog ownership and human attitudes towards pets in 19th Century Canada. This case study informs us on the life of one large dog who lived in downtown Toronto and possibly served as a hunting companion to his master or as added security for the household. His final days were beset with health problems. Advanced arthritis and severe bacterial inflammation of the left forelimb would have made movement difficult; the gingivitis and bacterial infection of the mouth would have rendered eating a painful experience and given him bad breath while the severe ear infection rendered him deaf in one ear which likely also emitted a foul odor. Extensive periodontal disease was observed along the entire dental arcade. This is interpreted as advanced gingivitis and probable periostitis-periodontitis. The upper left, fourth premolar featured a chipped enamel surface that appeared worn, suggesting it was chipped before death. A cloaca (draining sinus) has formed just above this tooth indicating an advanced bacterial infection/possible root abscess (Fig. 2). The inter-disciplinary approach used here provided us with a wider range of information to re-construct the osteobiography. This case study highlights the potential information obtainable from 19th-century pet burials and the need for more detailed analyses of such deposits. A greater sample of pet burials would help address research questions targeting broader themes regarding human-animal relationships. Consultations with veterinarians lead to the conclusion that this was the result of a chronic bacterial or fungal infection secondary to one or multiple penetrating wound(s) (i.e., a dog bit or nail jab). Fig. 1: Dog burial, ca. 1840-1870 AD Fig. 4: x-ray of ear infection Fig. 5: Osteophytes on thoracic vertebra This is a summary of a paper published under the same name in The International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (2015)