Source: Philly Voice
Dogs cannot cool themselves efficiently through sweat like humans, making overheating a serious risk, especially for working dogs engaged in strenuous tasks. Dr. Cynthia Otto, executive director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, has spent years researching practical cooling methods to prevent heat stroke. Her team discovered that training dogs to voluntarily dunk their heads in a bucket of water can rapidly reduce their core temperature, lowering heat levels within the first 30 seconds after exercise.
The simple technique, teachable in about five minutes using a toy or treat, proved more effective than other cooling methods such as wet towels, ice packs, or alcohol-soaked cloths, which either underperformed or stressed the dogs. Inspired partly by fieldwork observing detection dogs in Zambia, Otto’s method offers a portable alternative to full-body immersion when water sources are limited. The innovation has earned her a nominatiaon for the AKC Canine Health Foundation’s inaugural Discovery of the Year award.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.phillyvoice.com/preventing-heat-stroke-dogs-head-dunk-cynthia-otto-penn-vet/