Clinical and biochemical evaluation of dogs submitted to two methods of hydrotherapy

ABSTRACT The physiological parameters of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (TR), and serum activity of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes were determined in healthy dogs, male and female, under two hydrotherapy modalities. Ten dogs were distributed in two groups of five animals, named Group I (underwater treadmill walk) and Group II (swimming), submitted to two sessions per week with initial duration of 10 minutes, plus 5 minutes per session up to 30 minutes, during 9 weeks. The evaluations were performed before, immediately after and 4 hours after exercise in all sessions for the HR, RR and TR variables and on days one, seven, 28 and 60 for CK and LDH. There was no difference (P> 0.05) when comparing the mean values of physiological parameters of heart and respiratory rate and rectal temperature. CK and LDH levels did not rise after hydrotherapy at different times and days evaluated. So, it was possible to conclude that swimming sessions and underwater treadmill walking did not cause alterations in the physiological parameters of heart and respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and the blood levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the proposed protocol.