engleski

Effect of two different feeding regimes (BARF vs. kibble diet) on haematological parameters in search and rescue dogs during fieldwork

The effect of the macronutrient ratio in the diet fed to the dogs performing at medium to high intensity during a prolonged period has not been sufficiently researched. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in haematological parameters in Croatian Mountain Rescue Service dogs included in two different feeding regimes during a simulated fieldwork. There were 11 healthy dogs (mean age 3.57 ± 1.81 years) included in the study, divided into two groups: the raw meat-based diet group (BARF) and the kibble diet group (KIB). Both commercially available diets were uniform for each group. Other than the different food processing principle of the diet (raw, frozen vs. pressed), the diets differed in the macronutrient level: on a dry matter basis, the BARF diet consisted of protein, fat and carbohydrate in the following proportions: 45.2:32.2:5.5, and the kibble diet 27.5:18.7:42.8. The feeding protocol lasted for four months. During that period, blood samples were obtained once per month: the baseline sample in the morning before the feeding and the second one immediately after six hours of fieldwork. Data were analysed within the groups before and after the fieldwork using the paired t-test (p < 0.05). Haematological parameters, red blood cell (RBC) (p < 0.05), haemoglobin (HGB) (p < 0.05) and haematocrit (HCT) levels (p < 0.01) were significantly lower post- fieldwork in the KIB group than the baseline values. White blood cell (WBC) and segmented neutrophil counts (p < 0.01) were higher post-workout in the KIB group. In the BARF group, mean platelet volume (MPV) (p < 0.05) significantly decreased after the workout, while other parameters did not differ significantly. The physiological response of search and rescue dogs during a prolonged fieldwork is similar to the changes described in endurance activity. Haematological parameters in the BARF group seem to be less affected by the performed workload.

search and rescue dogs, nutrition, BARF, kibble diet, haematological parameters

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