Serum Cortisol Concentration Following Physical and Chemical Restrained during Ultrasonography in Nigerian Indigenous Dogs (NIDs)

Abstract

Restraint is the inhibition of an animal’s free movement by moral persuasion, physical force and or administration of drugs, which is generally performed for examination, collection of samples, drug administration, manipulation or surgical intervention.  In order to determine the effects of physical and chemical restraint on haematological parameters in Nigerian indigenous dogs (NIDs), the experiment was conducted in 2 stages. The dogs were divided into two equal groups consisting of ten males and ten females. After physical restraint using a muzzler, each group member was subjected to blood sample collection for haematological analyses. While in stage 2 the dogs were divided into two equal groups consisting of ten males and ten females. The male groups were subdivided into two groups of five. The first group received acepromazine while the second group received xylazine. Animals in the female group were also subdivided into two groups. The first group received acepromazine while the second group received xylazine. Blood samples (5ml) were collected for haematological analyses (serum cortisol concentration) using an ELISA kit. The serum cortisol concentrations between male (146.58±125.02) and female (247.93±74.57) NIDs differ significantly (P < 0.05) at the control. This study shows that physical restraint in Nigerian Indigenous Dogs has minimal effects on the serum cortisol concentration, while acepromazine and xylazine ameliorate the level of serum cortisol concentration in NIDs. This may be altered by stress events in dogs, such as capture and handling. There was an increase in the level of cortisol in females due to higher emotional responsivity.