Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi

Abstract

In this study. ellects of the exercise on the performance and the
pLasma biochemicaL vaLues ol' Gennwı Shepherd dogs .red with high fat diet supported with and without L-camitine was investiKated at daily warm
temperatures (~fthe summer season. The dogs were walked to 7.5 km, 15 km and
3R km distancesforfive days at a speed ()f"6.6 km/h in thefirst, the second, and the
third weeks (~Lexercises programme respectively. They were completed to walk
succesf"ully at 7.5 and 15 km distances. However, dogs were started to fail in
walking to the last 38 km distance of exen'ising programme as three dOKSwere
dropped out ofsixteen dogs.
Measurements ~f the biochemical parameters before and after exercises were
found to be different at all the distances ()f 7.5 km, 15 km and 38km. The
triglyceride concentrations (~fthe blood during the exercises at a 15 km distance
were daTeased in the group (~fdogs suplementated with L-camitine (IOOmK/kg
body weight). Mo reo ver, CK activity was found to be more sensitive than AST
activity for the low exercise-intencity induced muscle damage. In the third day ot
the exercises at a 38 km distance, hemoconcentration, incTeased activities of CK,
AST and LDH and a red coloured blood plasma (myoglobinemia) were observed
in three retired dOKSwith pe,formance failure. As a result, German Shepherd dogs
were able to walk happily at 7.5 and 15 km distances but, their body pe,formance
was not enough to walk such 38 km distances at least for five days with a diet
containinK 25 % qffat and 35 % of protein. Finally, it would be suggested that
measurements of hematocrit value, lactate concentration and CK, AST and LDH
activities can be useful markers for monitm'ing the general condition of exercising
dogs in long distances