Hemodynamic and metabolic effects of fructose-1,6-diphosphate (F.D.P.) and dichloroacetate sodium (D.C.A.) administration were studied in 17 mongrel dogs during experimentally induced hemorrhagic shock using a modified Wigger's technique. During the oligemic period, which was maintained for 3 hours, a control group of animals (A) received a 5% glucose solution at a rate of 3 mg/kg/min, while the treated group (B) received D.C.A. (175 mg/kg for 30 minutes) and F.D.P. (5 mg/kg/min) as aqueous solutions. After retransfusion of the shed blood, both groups of animals were left to recover. All eight dogs of the control group died within 3 hours following the experiment, while six out of the nine treated dogs survived during a week of follow-up (p = 0.007). Two hours after retransfusion, blood pressure and cardiac index in group B returned to control levels (115 +/- 4.8 mmHg and 0.097 +/- 0.008 liters/min/kg), while group A demonstrated a rapid and progressive deterioration (64 +/- 9.7 mmHg and 0.041 +/- 0.005 liters/min/kg). Severe core hypothermia (down to 33.3 degrees C) developed in group A dogs despite retransfusion, while a normal core temperature was maintained in the treated dogs. Calculated oxygen consumption during the oligemic period was significantly higher in group B animals despite similar calculated oxygen delivery in both groups of animals. Hyperlactemia was significantly lower in group B animals despite F.D.P. administration. This can be attributed to the addition of D.C.A. to the treatment. F.D.P. and D.C.A. administration prevented the occurrence of respiratory failure resulting, most probably, from respiratory muscle fatigue owing to depressed metabolic rate and increased lactate formation in these muscles during the shock period. It is suggested that administration of F.D.P. and D.C.A. during hemorrhagic shock in dogs has a favorable effect on the outcome of this life-threatening condition.