Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Research Article
Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci. 7(5): 340-345
Http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.aavs/2019/7.5.340.345
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Alyaa S. K. Al-Shammari*, Ali D. M. Al- Hashimi, Ali H. M. H. Rabeea

Department of Medicine, Collage of Veterinary Medicine, Al-Qassim Green University, Iraq.

Abstract | This study was conducted to determine the changes in health signs, hormones levels, haematological and biochemical parameters of Police dogs exposed to thermal stress. A total of 40 police dogs, 3-6 years old were used in this study that extended for 7 months. The dogs were randomly distributed into four groups (10 per group). Group 1 was exposed to an environmental temperature 15 °C (control group), while group 2, 3 and 4 were subjected to higher environmental temperature of 25 °C, 35 °C and 45 °C, respectively to induce thermal stress. Health signs including rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate were measured. Hematological and biochemical parameters were assayed. Vitamin C and Immunoglobulin IgG were also measured. In addition, hormones levels involving T3, T4 and GH hormones were determined. The results of this study showed that health signs, vitamin C, IgG, ALT and AST levels significantly increased in group 4. However, RBCs, PCV, and also the total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, growth hormone, T3 and T4 levels were decreased in group 4 than control. A progressive significant increase in blood sugar levels in group 2, 3 and 4 compared with the control group. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that exposing Police dogs to thermal stress with temperature up to45°C could negatively affect health signs, hormones levels, hematological and biochemical parameters, which might reflect adversely on the dog`s performance and their ability to do their tasks perfectly.

Keywords | Police dogs, Thermal stress, Biochemical parameters, Hormones traits.