Prehydration - före arbete

This product is the result of over forty years of research in people and in dogs. The concepts used in this product were developed initially during research with deep sea divers and later elite cyclists who were riding in extreme heat. It is very difficult to balance water loss by just drinking while participating in these activities and so dehydration often results. This is often also the case with our dogs who exercise in extremes of either heat or cold. Sometimes dogs are very focused on their activity, and it can be difficult to get them to drink during a long day in the field. In all of these situations, dehydration can significantly decrease their performance. In severe cases it can become a significant threat to their health. Even mild dehydration can impair temperature regulation, making your dog more susceptible to overheating in the heat or hypothermia in the cold. Dehydration can interfere with optimal muscle function, scent perception, and drive. Paradoxically, it also often decreases hunger and thirst. It is always better, and usually easier, to prevent dehydration than to treat it. That is why we developed Prehydration

The science behind Prehydration has been tested in working dogs since the early 1990s. The strategy we use here is to water load the dog before exercise to make up for the difficulty of taking in enough water during exercise. We studied a team of sled dogs running thirty miles per day for three days in a row at temperatures of -35C. Each morning half of the dogs were given a 1% solution of the main active ingredient, glycerol, in Prehydration. The other half of the team was given an equal volume of just water. Both groups were then given access to water after running and after their evening meal. After three days, the Prehydration treated dogs had exactly retained the total body hydration they had before day 1. The water only dogs ranged from 3-5% dehydrated compared to their pre-exercise measurements. This is significant enough dehydration to impair performance and thermoregulation. We have also tested Prehydration in dogs exercising in warm temperatures and found that these dogs maintained 1-2 C cooler body temperatures during a 20 mile run than their teammates given an equal amount of just water.

Since our initial studies we have fine-tuned Prehydration to bring in an optimal mixture of nutrients to support safe water loading before exercise. The glycerol in Prehydration freely crosses muscle cell membranes and brings water with it. The glycerol will hold that water within the muscles for up to 48 -72 hours if the dog is not exercising. Once the dog begins exercising, the glycerol is burned as a fuel (like a carbohydrate) and the water is liberated to do all the functions water does for muscles during exercise like removing waste products, transporting nutrients, and supporting temperature regulation. Since the water is already in the dog's muscles before they begin exercise, it does not have to be ingested, absorbed and transported there during exercise all of which takes time. Since exercising dogs supplemented with Prehydration maintain their hydration better, they also eat, drink, and recover better than dogs given just plain water. This is particularly true when they are exercising for long periods of time each day, when they run multiple days in a row, and when the environmental conditions are very warm or very cold.

I have personally used Prehydration during my entire competitive mushing career, and I am certain it supported our three world Championships in the Open class.

Dr Arleigh Reynolds är veterinär och specialist inom utfodring och på arbetande hundars fysiologi. Han har doktorsgrad i båda ämnena och har tävlat i slädhundskörning på elitnivå i Alaska, samt är en passionerad jägare.