EFFECT OF RACING ON SERUM SODIUM AND POTASSIUM CONCENTRATIONS AND ACID-BASE STATUS OF ALASKAN SLED DOGS

Objective--To examine the effect of participation in a long-distance r ace on serum electrolyte concentrations, estimated exchangeable cation content, and acid-base status of Alaskan sled dogs. Design--Prospecti ve study. Animals--9 male and 5 female, sexually intact, physically fi t Alaskan sled dogs between 18 and 48 months old. Procedure--Body weig ht was recorded, and blood samples were collected from dogs before, du ring, and after a 300-mile race. Results--Serum sodium and potassium c oncentrations decreased during the race, as did serum total protein, a lbumin, and globulin concentrations and PCV. Effects on acid-base stat us were minimal. Body weight and estimated total exchangeable cation c ontent in dogs also decreased significantly during the race. Clinical Implications--Prolonged running is associated with decreases in serum cation concentration and estimated total exchangeable cation content i n dogs, as in human beings and horses. However, the mechanism of the d ecrease in serum cation concentration likely differs among species. Cl inical abnormalities associated with cation depletion were not observe d in the dogs in this study.