Evaluation of the rehabilitation potential of dogs in the shelter according to the dynamics of blood indicators and physiological parameters

The aim of this work was to evaluate the criteria for adaptation of dogs to a two-month stay in a shelter for homeless animals. We investigated 11 clinically healthy dogs that were selected. We determined: body weight, 18 biochemical indicators in blood serum and 13 hematological tests. The animals were examined at time of arrival at the shelter and after 1 and 2 months of stay in it. In the blood samples, indicators of erythrocyte and leukocytopoiesis were determined. Based on the obtained data, 5 leukocyte indices were calculated. During admission to the shelter, it was established that some of the dogs had subclinical health disorders. The average live weight of animals (22.67 ± 2.16 kg) fluctuated within significant limits (10.0–34.2 kg). Tendency to increase body weight was observed after 2 months. It was found that at the time of admission to the shelter, a significant part of the indicators of erythro- and leukocytopoiesis exceeded the reference norms. There was a decrease in the concentration of albumin, urea, glucose, cholesterol, an increase in the level of total protein at the expense of globulins, total bilirubin, the activity of ALT, AST, GHT, alkaline phosphatase, and LDH. During the 1-month stay in the shelter, not all of the specified criteria reach the values of the relevant norms. After 2 months, there is a complete recovery of the health of the dogs according to clinical and physiological parameters, as well as according to blood parameters. In general, there is a positive dynamic of biochemical tests after 2 months of the animals staying in the shelter: on the day of arrival of the dogs, 72.2 % deviations of biochemical indicators from normal values were recorded, after 1 month of keeping the animals in the shelter – 22.2 %, after 2 months of keeping – 5.55 %. This term can be considered sufficient to realize the rehabilitation potential of dogs. The results obtained in this study should be implemented in the practical activities of shelters for animals in order to objectively assess the state of their health, based on scientifically based terms of stay of animals in shelters and the length of time for their full functional adaptation.