Hematological Values Pre and Post-Exercise by Gender and Age in Dogs that Do Agility in Antioquia

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to describe hematological variables before and after exercise in dogs that do agility, and the effect of factors such as gender and age on these parameters. Forty dogs were sampled during 2012, regardless of gender and age, with at least six months of practice in Antioquia. Samples of venous blood were taken at three points: at rest, immediately after exercising and 30 minutes after exercising. In Statgraphics version 15. analysis of variance was used with three factors (sex, age, and time of sampling) to evaluate its effect on red and white blood cells and platelets. The confidence level was 95 %, and the multiple comparisons procedure (least significant difference) was used. Erythrocytes and the mean corpuscular volume show significant differences (p <0.05) for each of the interactions (sex and age in each of the three times). Hemoglobin did not show significant differences in any of the factors and interactions evaluated. The leukocyte count showed significant differences at different ages (p <0.05). Neutrophils and lymphocytes showed significant differences between the different age groups (p <0.05) and eosinophils showed no significant differences for the variables of the study. Post-exercise hematologic variations are due to sympathetic predominance and release of catecholamines, which stimulate splenocontraction and release of erythrocytes from the spleen. In white blood cells, epinephrine release in response to fear, excitement or sudden exercise is responsible for physiological leukocytosis and neutrophilia.