Determinación del cortisol plasmático y de las constantes fisiológicas en felinos sometidos a orquiectomía en campañas de esterilización en la provincia del Azuay

Abstract

Responsible pet ownership generates commitment from the guardians in terms of health and reproduction, seeking to guarantee animal welfare by working together with veterinarians. The concentration of plasma cortisol and physiological constants were determined in cats transported with different transporters to sterilization days carried out by the University of Cuenca. To measure blood cortisol, plasma samples were used in the pre-surgical and post surgical stages, then analyzed by the electrochemiluminescence technique; while physiological constants (temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate) were monitored with a stethoscope and thermometer every 5 minutes after the first blood sample was taken. Data were processed in SAS statistical software by analysis of variance and least squares test. Post-surgical cortisol values were (3.99 μg/dL ± 2.63 μg/dL) and pre-surgical (8.68 μg/dL ± 5.26 μg/dL). Statistical difference was evidenced by the effect of transport (p<0.001) on physiological constants. In relation to the effect of transport on body temperature, the best results corresponded to transport 2 (37.9°C) and transport 3 (38°C). The greatest values for heart rate and respiratory rate according to transport were: transport 3 (150 bpm) and transport 2 (39 rpm) respectively. According to the results, the most adequate transport to reduce cortisol concentrations and maintain physiological constants within normal values was the kennel.