Effect of vivisection on haematobiochemical parameters of experimental dogs: Towards improved animal welfare

Vivisection could lead to the derailment of vital body functions and hence severe health consequences. The effect of multiple vivisections on haematobiochemical parameters of dogs was investigated with a perspective to improve animal welfare. Methods: Fifteen healthy Nigerian indigenous dogs that were to be used for student wet-labs were recruited for this study. The dogs were acclimatized for four weeks and then exposed to four (4) weeks (bi-weekly) vivisection. Complete physical examination and blood sampling were carried out on days 0, 14, and 28 post-vivisection. Blood samples were analysed for blood and serum biochemical profiles. Results: Post-vivisections results were compared to pre-vivisection results using ANOVA. Physical examination also reveals loss of body weight, body condition score, decreased skin elasticity, sunken eyeballs, dry oral and nasal mucous membrane, as well as percent dehydration on post-vivisection parameters. Findings also revealed a decrease in haematocrit, haemoglobin, and erythrocyte count (p < 0.05), coupled with hyperproteinaemia, hyperalbuminemia, and azotaemia (p < 0.05) which are generally accepted as indices for dehydration. Significance: Conclusively, the reported anaemia and dehydration in this study could potentiate serious adverse medical effects and it was therefore recommended that the use of animals for multiple surgical procedures should be guided by standard surgical protocols with a perspective of improving animal welfare.