The effect of prolonged irregular search and rescue operations on the biochemical parameters of the blood of service dogs of medium breeds

The aim of the study is to assess the impact of prolonged irregular search and rescue operations on the biochemical blood parameters of medium–breed service dogs. The study was conducted on dogs of medium breeds: Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Nova Scotia Retriever. The age of the studied animals ranged from four to ten years, and the body weight from 16.2 to 22.0 kg. Assessment of the condition of animals before and after their participation in search and rescue operations was carried out based on the results of clinical examination and biochemical blood analysis. Biochemical blood analysis was performed on a Stat Fax 4500 analyzer. The following parameters were determined: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chlorides, magnesium, urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, globulin. Glucometry was performed at the beginning of the study. Blood sampling was carried out from the peripheral vessels of the ear using scarifiers. Most dogs received treats and were not hungry, which was taken into account when interpreting the results. A CareSens N glucose meter was used to measure blood glucose levels. Based on the data obtained, no signs of any diseases were detected during the physical examination, all animals were clinically healthy. However, the occurrence of obvious stress was noted in all animals. Blood sampling for biochemical analysis was carried out after at least eight hours of a starvation diet, from the lateral subcutaneous vein of the thoracic limb, taking into account compliance with the rules of asepsis and antiseptics. It was found that the loads during prolonged irregular search and rescue operations have an impact on the biochemical picture of the blood, expressed in a decrease in the average value of phosphorus, total protein, globulin, as well as in an increase in the average value of calcium, potassium, sodium, chlorides, magnesium, urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphotase, albumin, glucose.