Haemato-biochemical studies of dogs with haemorrhage-induced dehydration

Abstract

Factors that contribute to water loss in tropical animals are complex and constantly changing. To evaluate the haemato-biochemical parameters of dogs with haemorrhage-induced dehydration. A total of 12 dogs were used; haemorrhage was induced by daily removal of 10 ml of blood over a period of 28 days and analysed at the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.), Zaria, Nigeria. Dehydration was clinically assessed. Age, sex, body weight and generalised body condition of the animals were determined. Whole blood was collected for determination of haematological parameters. Serum was prepared from whole blood to determine the concentrations of urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, glucose, sodium, calcium, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio and anion gap (AG) as well as serum activities of liver enzymes. Reductions in body weight (1.67 kg, 2.17 kg and 3.17 kg) due to degrees of dehydration were observed on days 14, 21 and 28. Significantly higher values of packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration (P < 0.01) due to dehydration was observed between days 0 and 14, also between days 0 and 28. Higher concentrations of urea, creatinine (P < 0.01), BUN/creatinine, total protein, albumin and urine specific gravity (P < 0.05) were observed between day 0 and days 14, 21 and 28. This study is the first to report the haemato-biochemical changes of Nigerian local dogs with haemorrhage-induced dehydration. The study did not investigate the role of type of diet on dehydration, and it is recommended that future studies should be carried out to elucidate this.