The effect of transportation stress on circulating corticosteroids, enzyme activities and hematological values in laboratory dogs.

Stress during transportation was monitored in truck-transported Beagle dogs "IVTK HD". Cortisol (F), corticosterone (B), red and white blood cell parameters, and enzyme activities in plasma were estimated. Plasma levels of cortisol and corticosterone were increased significantly during transportation and returned to basal values overnight post arrival. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocytes and leukocytes increased moderately. No obvious differences in enzyme activities were observed. Only alpha-HBDH values dropped significantly at the end of the 9.5 h transport period. This study confirms, although individual reaction is remarkably different, transportation as a potent stressor for Beagle dogs.