Age assessment in puppies: Coming to terms with forensic requests

摘要: Age estimation in growing dogs is crucial not only clinical practice but increasingly so forensic as well. In the last few years, it has assumed great importance for correctly identifying age of puppies illegally imported to Italy well other European countries. Puppies are, fact, transported when they are too young be moved, which can cause both animal/public health and animal welfare issues. Therefore, movement animals within Community governed by strict rules, veterinarians often required evaluate a scenario accurately possible. To date, X-ray evaluation limb bones ossification centers (OCs) generally accepted valid tool assess puppies. A wealth information exists on this topic always easily available. This work historical review existing literature proposes two tables illustrating timelines OCs appearance closure, coming terms with requests puppy. The reported indicate need improve methodology enhance accuracy reduce error estimation.