Stress causes changes in the immune, nervous and endocrine systems, which can lead to diseases and behavioural problems in animals. The study of these changes can be used to develop effective methods of diagnosis and prevention. The study aims to investigate the effect of stress on the body of dogs at the anatomical and physiological levels; and methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of stress disorders in these animals. The study analysed scientific publications on the detection, diagnosis, control and treatment of service dogs under stressful conditions. The main criteria that helped to differentiate different forms of behavioural reactions in service dogs under the influence of stressors were recorded by the methods of comparison, synthesis and analysis. Physiological criteria that should be used in the diagnosis of stress were established and methods for diagnosing stressful conditions in service dogs were described. Service dogs are more stress-resistant than other animals, but they are also exposed to negative environmental factors. This leads to physiological changes in the body of animals, which affects their performance and behavioural reactions. The physiological and behavioural markers of acute and chronic stress in dogs were determined. Changes in the immune system of dogs and the importance of cortisol as a stress-correlated marker were analysed. The study determined that the content of cortisol in blood plasma, saliva, and hair correlates with stress indicators in animals, but may also depend on many other factors. This indicates that this indicator alone cannot be relied upon to diagnose stress in animals. The results of the study can be used in the development of diagnostic criteria and methods for monitoring and correcting changes in the bodies of animals caused by stressful phenomena
acute stress, chronic stress, diagnosis, behavioural changes, cortisol, post-traumatic stress disorder
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