[Changes in serum electrolyte levels after seawater immersion of open abdominal wound and drowning in dogs].

Objective: To assess the effects of seawater immersion of open abdominal wound and drowning on plasma electrolyte levels in dogs.

Methods: Twenty-one dogs with open abdominal wounds were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely the control group (n=7), seawater immersion group (n=7) and seawater immersion and drowning group (n=7). The dogs in the control group were subjected to simple open abdominal wound, and those in the latter two groups were immersed into seawater after the abdominal injury.