Penn Vet Working Dog Center researchers have identified a field-applicable way to help dogs cool down after exercise

By: Erica Moser Date: Sep 19, 2024

Dog putting its head under water — Penn Vet researchers trained physically and mentally healthy dogs to voluntarily dunk their heads in water, an effective method for rapidly cooling canines after exercise. (Image: Shelby Wise/Wise K9 Photography)

“Dogs don’t sweat, and they rely on panting; that’s really got some serious limitations. Once they reach a point of excess heat, they can’t continue to cool, and they can go from looking fine to collapsing. Once they develop full-on heat stroke, they have about a 50% survival rate,” Otto says. Heat-induced injuries are the most common non-traumatic cause of death for law enforcement and military dogs, who may be in an environment with limited resources for cooling.

But in a new study Otto and other researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have identified an effective cooling method for field situations: Training dogs to voluntarily dunk their heads into 22°C water. Their findings are published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

They found that, among four cooling protocols tested, this one produced the lowest average core temperature in the five minutes after exercise. It was the only intervention to decrease core body temperature in the first 30 seconds, and it led to the lowest temperatures six to 40 minutes after the intervention.

“Voluntary head dunking is an invaluable tool in preventing exercise-induced hyperthermia or exercise-induced heat stress, and that can save lives,” says Otto, senior author on the paper.

About Penn Vet

Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 34,600 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 6,200 patient visits a year, while our Field Services have gone out on more than 5,500 farm service calls, treating some 18,700 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry.