Physiological, haematological and biochemical shifts in police working dogs during a riot control exercise

Abstract

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.

Clinical Evaluation of Creatine Kinase and Aspartate Aminotransferase for Monitoring Muscle Effort in Working Dogs in Different Simulated Fieldworks

“…Variations in physiological parameters for working and sports dogs have been investigated during competitive and conditioning activity [1,2,[5][6][7][8]. Pulse and respiratory rates generally increased after activity in response to increased energy production during exercise and to eliminate the produced heat as a by-product.…”

“…Pulse and respiratory rates generally increased after activity in response to increased energy production during exercise and to eliminate the produced heat as a by-product. However, if heart and pulse rates are measured immediately before a competition, a significant increase could be observed compared to rest, as a response to exercise anticipation, also reported as the 'eureka effect' [2,6,8,9]. Systematic training is a continuous process that aims to maximise aerobic capacity through weekly exercise sessions, individually prescribed to decrease the risk of musculoskeletal injury [10].…”

“…The most investigated biomarkers have been creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), myoglobin and serum lactate concentrations. In veterinary sports dogs and SDRs, physiological parameters have been widely investigated, but scientific information on skeletal muscle biomarkers has been reported less frequently, generally in racing greyhounds or sled dogs, and less frequently, in SRDs [1,2,[5][6][7]. Generally, a mild increase of specific muscle biomarkers was observed in dogs after prolonged endurance exercise and high-intensity racing.…”

A survey on the prevalence of diarrhea in a Portuguese population of police working dogs

“…We did not observe significant differences between specific missions. While the amount of physical effort varies significantly between different missions (comparing a drug detection to a search and rescue dog, for example) [ 16 ], all of the dogs included in the sample go through a similar physical conditioning program [ 17 ], which may account for this lack of differences. A strong association was observed between racing and the presence of diarrhea, blood, or mucus in the feces, in up to 46.5% of dogs studied has been reported in one report [ 5 ].…”

Glucose Transporter 4, Biomarker Development and Metabolic Syndrome in the Arctic

“…Dogs are an ideal research model for immune function, nutrition, exercise, toxicology and aging [12]. Because they possess key features associated with cognitive dysfunctions such as beta-amyloid pathology and oxidative damage, similar to that of humans, dogs are also a good model for the study of aging [11,25,26]. Dog mushing, once used primarily as a means of transportation in the North, has evolved into a popular national and international sport.…”