Cooler Heads Prevail: New Study Finds Head Dunking is the Best Way to Cool Overheated Dogs

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Dogs, especially working breeds, are prone to overheating, particularly when they engage in strenuous physical activities in hot, humid environments. New research conducted at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center highlights a crucial finding for dog handlers. voluntary head dunking in cool water is one of the most effective ways to quickly reduce a dog's core temperature after exercise-induced hyperthermia.


The Problem of Exertional Hyperthermia

Working dogs, such as military and law enforcement K-9s, often push their physical limits. Their drive to work can override their body's natural warning signs of overheating, leading to a dangerous condition known as exertional hyperthermia. If left unchecked, this condition can progress to heatstroke, which is one of the most common non-traumatic causes of death in working dogs.

Cooling methods like full-body water immersion or fanning wet skin have been recommended for cooling overheated dogs, but such approaches aren’t always feasible in field environments where water is limited. Thus, finding an efficient and field-applicable cooling technique is critical to ensuring these dogs' safety.


The Study

In this randomized study, researchers compared four cooling methods on 12 healthy working dogs after exercise,

1. Chemical ice packs applied to the neck

2. Wet towels applied to the neck

3. Wet towels placed under the axillae (armpits)

4. Voluntary head dunking into cool water.

The dogs were monitored for 40 minutes post-exercise to assess their cooling and return to baseline core body temperatures.


Key Findings

The results showed that voluntary head dunking resulted in the fastest and most effective reduction in core body temperature, especially within the critical first five minutes after exercise. The head dunking method not only prevented the typical post-exercise rise in core temperature but also allowed dogs to cool more quickly than those treated with ice packs or towels.

Although all methods eventually brought the dogs' core temperatures back to baseline, head dunking was the only approach that prevented the initial temperature spike immediately after exercise. This rapid cooling effect is vital for preventing serious heat injury and heatstroke.


Why Head Dunking Works

Dogs lose heat through various methods, including evaporative cooling via panting and conductive cooling through the skin. However, the head, especially the muzzle and ears, is a critical area for dissipating heat. Dunking the head in cool water accelerates the cooling process by rapidly lowering the blood temperature in these areas, which then circulates through the body, reducing core temperature.

Additionally, the carotid rete, a network of blood vessels that supply the brain, helps cool the blood before it reaches the brain, protecting the dog from overheating.


Practical Applications for Handlers

The study's findings offer a practical cooling solution for dog handlers in the field. Training dogs to voluntarily dunk their heads in water can be a low-stress, effective approach to cooling them down in situations where other methods may be impractical. Moreover, limited water consumption during the dunking process may also aid in cooling the dog internally without leading to adverse effects such as gastric dilatation.


A New Recommendation

The “cool first, transport second” protocol is widely recommended for managing heat injury in dogs. This study strengthens the recommendation by showing that head dunking can be an efficient, easy-to-implement strategy in the field, making it a potentially lifesaving technique for working dogs.

However, it’s important to note that head dunking should only be used on dogs that are mentally alert and physically able to pause panting. Dogs showing signs of heatstroke or collapse should be immediately transported to veterinary care and not subjected to this method.

 New research reveals best way to prevent dogs from overheatingDr. Cynthia M. Otto, lead researcher and executive director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center. Credit: Dr. Cynthia Otto


This research reveals a simple yet highly effective way to prevent overheating in dogs during physical exertion: voluntary head dunking. By training working dogs to dunk their heads in cool water, handlers can ensure their safety and well-being, particularly in challenging field conditions where traditional cooling methods may not be viable.

As more studies emerge on heat management in dogs, it is clear that quick, effective cooling strategies, such as head dunking, could be game-changers in the prevention of heat-related injuries and deaths in working and sporting dogs.

This discovery underscores the importance of developing innovative, field-friendly solutions to safeguard our canine companions as they perform their critical roles in society.


More information: Sara C. Parnes et al, Voluntary head dunking after exercise-induced hyperthermia rapidly reduces core body temperature in dogs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2024). DOI: 10.2460/javma.24.06.0368

Cynthia M. Otto et al, Voluntary head dunk: cooperative care for irrigating canine noses and eyes and rapid cooling, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2024). DOI: 10.2460/javma.24.07.0480

Source: phys.org
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