Effect of probiotic on blood biochemical indices of service dogs

Abstract

Under modern conditions, dogs play a significant role especially in the field of law enforcement. This study concerns the effect of the probiotic product “Vetom 1.1” on service dogs. The experiment was conducted in a group of 14 German shepherd dogs serving in law enforcement units of the Altai Region. The dogs of the age from 4 to 5 years and average weight of 30 ± 2.7 kg were observed during the spring and summer period. During the experiment, blood biochemical tests were performed which revealed changes in several indices. The results showed decreased level of total protein and globulins in the trial group. By the fourth testing, these indices decreased by 5% (p < 0.05) and 12% (p < 0.05), respectively, compared to the control group. On the contrary, albumin levels increased by 4% (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. By the fourth testing, hemoglobin level showed an increase of 3% compared to the first testing. Urea content levels in the blood of service dogs by the fourth testing decreased by 30% compared to the first testing, and uric acid levels increased by 10% compared to the first testing. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values were by 32% lower at the fourth testing than in the control group (p < 0.05), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) values decreased by 18% compared to the first testing. The content levels of bilirubin and chlorides did not show any significant changes in the trial group. The use of the probiotic product “Vetom 1.1” promotes pharmacological regulation of metabolic processes in the gastrointestinal tract which leads to the restoration of metabolic balance and improvement of blood biochemical indices in dogs.