The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using blood lactate (BL), heart rate (HR) and rectal temperature (RT) to evaluate the physical fitness of police dogs using a treadmill incremental exercise test. The animals (n=20) were exercised using a protocol that consisted of five stages of six minutes each at increasing speeds of 9.66, 11.27, 12.87, 14.48 and 16.09 km/h with a slope adjusted to 10%. The test ended when the animal completed the five steps or when exhaustion was reached, either during or between steps. BL from the marginal ear vein, HR and RT were measured on the police dogs at rest (T0), after each step (T1 to T5) and after a recovery period of 20 minutes (T6). The mean duration of exercise was 19 min 17 s (standard deviation ± 5 min 30 s), with only one animal completing all five stages. In the case of BL, no differences were found when comparing consecutive stages, but when compared to the values at rest (T0), a significant increase was found in T2 (P<0.05), T3, T4 and T6 (P<0.001). When the RT was considered, an increase was found between T0 and T3 (P<0.05). HR was the parameter in which the largest variations were observed, between T1 and T2 (P<0.05), and T1, T4 and T6 when compared to the stage immediately before (P<0.01). When compared to T0, all stages showed differences (P<0.001). However, no correlation was found between the parameters evaluated in this test. This study showed the feasibility of evaluating the physical fitness of police dogs using a blood sample from the marginal ear vein and a lactate portable measuring device. It was also found that the values recorded in animals previously familiarised with the treadmill were similar to those that were not. This work provides data that can be used in training and testing of dogs that perform this kind of work, and can be the basis for further studies.

Background Chronic intermittent or persistent diarrhoea is a common condition in dogs and may be a reflex of gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal disorders. Besides diarrhoea, many athletes experience other gastrointestinal symptoms. Dietary fiber can help normalize colonic motility and transit time, support normal gastrointestinal microflora growth and provide fuel for colonocytes. This study aimed to evaluate dietary supplementation effectiveness with psyllium husk in police working dogs with chronic large-bowel diarrhoea. Twenty-two animals were selected. Concurrent conditions were ruled out through complete blood count and serum biochemistry. Fecal Clostridium and Salmonella were also screened. A soluble fiber, psyllium husk, was added to the diet at the dose of 4 tablespoons/day for 1 month. A daily log of fecal characteristics (type, frequency, and color) was maintained during the supplementation month and for an additional month, without supplementation. Results Response to treatment was classified as “very good” in 50% of animals, “good” in 40% of animals, and “poor” in 10% of cases. During the month of psyllium husk supplementation, defecation frequency decreased from 3.5 to 2.9 times a day, with 90% of animals showing consistent stools regularly and registering a mean increase of 2 kg in body weight. Beneficial effects were still observed during the second month, without psyllium husk supplementation. Conclusion Psyllium husk can be useful in the management of chronic large-bowel diarrhoea in working dogs, which exhibited lower defecation frequency, improved stool consistency, and gained weight. Effects were felt beyond the supplementation period. Alternative approaches for non-responsive cases need to be evaluated.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological, haematological and biochemical shifts that occur in police working dogs during a riot control exercise. The animals (n=17) used were dogs from the Guarda Nacional Republicana (Portuguese Gerndarmerie Unit). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured and blood samples collected, both before (T0) and immediately after (T1) the exercise. Blood lactate (BL) and blood glucose concentration levels were immediately measured using handheld portable devices and from the blood samples the following parameters were determined: red blood cells, haematocrit, white blood cells, platelets, urea, creatinine, creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, Ca2+, Na+, K+ and Cl-. Results were submitted to a paired T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient was used to compare different variables. Significant increases occurred in RT (P<0.01), RR (P<0.01), lymphocytes (P<0.05) and creatinine (P<0.05). Other measured parameters showed non-significant variations and no correlation was found between BL and HR and RT – the parameters that can be easily monitored during exercise. The present results consist, to the authors’ knowledge, the first description of the physiological, haematological and biochemical shifts in police working dogs during a riot control exercise. They provide valuable information for the monitoring and future evaluations of this type of work that many police working dogs undergo throughout the world and set a starting point for future studies.

RESUMO O direito fundamental à privacidade passou, nesses últimos meses, a entrar em um embate até então não dimensionado pelo ordenamento jurídico brasileiro em relação ao direito fundamental à saúde. Com a pandemia instaurada pela Covid-19, gestores públicos viram-se obrigados a buscar de maneira efetiva e ágil a resolução da crise no setor público de saúde. A tecnologia de monitoramento e rastreio de dados pessoais demonstrou ser a solução mais eficaz para se atingir esse escopo. O presente artigo visa, pelo estudo do Direito comparado e técnicas de monitoramento e rastreio existentes, propor um método de ação que auxilie o poder público a conter a disseminação da Covid-19, sem olvidar a relevância atrelada ao direito à privacidade.

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Background Diarrhea is considered the most common clinical sign of chronic gastrointestinal disease in dogs and affects a considerable portion of working and sporting dogs. We aimed to determine the prevalence of diarrhea in police working dogs and evaluate the relationship between feeding, activity level, and animal characteristics with clinical signs. In an observational, prospective study, information on 188 dogs was collected. For each patient, age, sex, breed, specific mission, number of animals at the same housing location, and activity level was recorded. A body condition (BCS) and canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index (CIBDAI) scores were determined, and feces classified according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare recorded data between breeds, mission, age, and sex. Multiple regression was run to predict BCS score, increased defecation frequency, diarrhea, CIBDAI scores, Bristol stool scores, diarrhea from activity level, number of animals at the same housing location, breed, and mission. A p < 0.05 was set. Results Animals in the sample (male n = 96, female n = 92) had a mean age of 5.2 ± 3.2 years and a bodyweight of 24.1 ± 7.2 kg. Four main dog breeds were represented, 80 Belgian Malinois Shepherd Dogs, 52 German Shepherd Dogs, 25 Labrador Retrievers, and 19 Dutch Shepherd Dog. A prevalence of diarrhea of 10.6% was determined, with 4% of dogs having liquid diarrhea. Dogs classified as “extremely active” were more likely to have a low BCS, and the level of activity contributed to diarrhea and BCS prediction. Conclusion Police working dogs frequently experience diarrhea episodes, which lead to clinical disease and performance loss. Investigation of aetiologies is required.

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