Effect of flight transport stress on blood parameters in beagles and the anti-stress effect of dangshen.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effect of flight transport stress on beagles' routine blood indexes and biochemical parameters and evaluated the anti-stress effect of dangshen (Codonopsis pilosula). METHODS: We selected 12 beagles and divided them into two groups. One group was treated with dangshen decoction two hours before the flight, and the other group was untreated. Their routine blood indexes and clinical biochemical parameters were tested and analyzed before transport, after unloading and after adaptation for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days after administering dangshen. RESULTS: We found that flight transportation stress adversely influenced many of the beagles' routine blood indexes. These recovered during adaptation, with dangshen administration assisting recovery of most indexes. Flight transport stress also adversely influenced biochemical indexes in the beagles. Again these recovered during adaptation, and dangshen aided in the recovery. CONCLUSION: Thus, we found that flight transport adversely affected the beagles' blood indexes, and dangshen reversed the damage from transport stress.