Evaluation of methods to reduce exercise-induced heat stress in working Labrador Retrievers

To compare different methods for cooling dogs in the field following a heat stress event.

In this experimental study, animals were in a conditioning program 5 of 7 days per week. For the test, dogs ran on a treadmill for 30 minutes at 12.5 km/h and a 2.5% incline, with room temperature maintained between 21 and 22 °C and the relative humidity maintained between 64% and 65.6%. A wet bulb globe thermometer was used to evaluate the immediate environment. In the first test, 6 method groups were assessed based on the cooling method implemented. The groups were no cooling, ingestion of ice water, cooling blanket use, use of a fan, or the application of alcohol or water to glabrous skin areas. In this test, rectal temperature, core temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were measured. In a second test, a fan was added to the water and alcohol methods from test 1, and the values were compared to the test 1 values.

The sample included 12 Labrador Retrievers. In the first test, ingestion of ice water was the only treatment to reduce core temperature. In test 2, tap water + fan and alcohol + fan were more effective from the first evaluation moment postexercise. Both approaches showed similar results to each other.

Applying alcohol or water to glabrous areas, in combination with increased airflow, effectively reduced core temperature from a very early stage.

This study describes an approach to reduce the risk of heat-related damage.