Avaliação do nível de estresse em cadelas de abrigo submetidas a um período de adaptação de sete dias em canis experimentais.

Abstract

Stress is a non-specific response of the body to any demand on this, in which the individual responds with a stereotyped homeostatic response. Among the physiological changes observed when there are stressful situations have: increased heart and respiratory rate and blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and secretion of corticosteroids by the adrenal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stress in female dogs housed in kennels for seven days, and determine i f this is enough time for them to adapt to a new environment. Ten female dogs were used from Patos Association of Animal Protection. To clinically evaluate the stress we developed a Composite Stress Score. Blood samples were collected for determination of serum Cortisol and glycemia. We measured heart and respiratory rate, rectal temperature and systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure. Statistical tests were considered significant when P <0.05. There was a gradual decrease in serum Cortisol, however, statistically, only 132 and 156 hours after the arrival of animals at the kennel the Cortisol differed significantly from baseline values. The measurement of serum Cortisol proved to be an appropriate parameter to assess stress during the period of adaptation. Six days were enough for the female dogs to adapt to a new environment.