Lay Abstract:
Working dogs are at high risk of heat stress and heat stroke, as they often are required to perform physically demanding tasks for long periods of time. Scientific studies have shown that cooling dogs down using water (for example, having the dogs stand or lie down in a small pool) are very effective for treating heat stress and heat stroke. Prior studies conducted at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center have similarly found that water-based cooling methods were more effective than other recommended cooling methods (e.g., ice packs, isopropyl alcohol application to paw pads) in working dogs experiencing heat stress. This study compares effectiveness, ease-of-use, and safety of four different practical water-based cooling methods (partial body immersion, voluntary head immersion, monitored water consumption, and water-soaked head towel) at two water temperatures (room temperature water at 72°F / 22.2°C, and cool water at 59°F / 15°C) to a condition with no cooling intervention. The study examines which cooling method and water temperature leads to the fastest initial cooling in the first ten minutes post-exercise, and the lowest average temperature in the 20-minute return to baseline temperature. Furthermore, we will determine dogs’ compliance with each method and assess safety by monitoring heart rate, evidence of a swollen abdomen, and temperature between the toes (a marker of reduced blood circulation that is purported to result from immersion or ingestion of cold water). The results of this study will provide evidence for the most effective, easy-to-use, safe field treatment of heat stress.