Hey guys,

I am in the process of drawing up a pattern for canine cooling vests. I bought all the supplies and then it hit me, I hadn't thought about the possibility of negative affects of using a cooling vest.

This is the type of vest that you can freeze solid, (if you have the freezer space) put it in a plastic of styrofoam cooler and 2 hours later is still ice cold.

If a dog is overheating, is cooling them down quickly going to cause more harm than good? This vest will fit around the neck, between the front legs, on the chest and belly. Should I aim for "cool" and not "cold" ?

So you do not mean for prevention? Like
http://www.allk-9.com/dog-cooling-vest-p-309.html ?

I have read that we should stop cooling efforts when the temp reaches 103-104.

I also read about an overheated terrier who had alcohol applied too long, who went into shock and could not be saved.

Also, ice on the skin is damaging.

I have read that a cold wet towel is good. Would it be drape-y like a towel?

I found this:
Use cool water - icy water can cause too drastic a body temperature change - applied directly or with soaked towels to the head, neck, chest and abdomen.
from http://www.hikewithyourdog.com/Articles/QuickTipOverheating.html , but no authoritative backup.

And this: What I want to say is DON'T put your dog in a tub of ice water. You will drop the temperature too fast and that's dangerous. Instead, you can soak bath towels in cold water and cover Kody with them.
from http://www.geocities.com/heartland/ranch/2119/hotw2.htm

I have a black dog that can over heat easily if I don't watch him and a double coated GSD that will also overheat in high temps. I always carry water and wet down their heads, chest and abdomen. I read somewhere that you should not apply water to their backs as it creates a "sauna" effect against their skin when water is trapped between the skin and hair. Can't find the article, but is that true?

 Quote: sandra vernlund

I read somewhere that you should not apply water to their backs as it creates a "sauna" effect against their skin when water is trapped between the skin and hair. Can't find the article, but is that true?

Yes.

I read the explanation, too, on another board. Old Earth Dog Bob Scott had the explanation and a citation. I can't remember it (still, or again), though. But it was true, and the explanation was clear. At the time.

So you either keep the dog wet in cool water or soak only the undercarriage, face, paws, belly, etc.

Here's some from this board, too:

 Quote: Bob Scott

If you've ever gone swimming in a pond,river,lake with Levis on, think about how hot it got when you got out and sat in the sun. The heat is transfered directly to the skin through the wet Levis. Same with a dog's coat.
Even if you get to the shade, the heat still transfers much faster on a wet coat.
I can't think of any reason to wet down more then feet and belly!

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=10&Number=145714&Searchpage=1&Main=15435&Words=black+Bob+Scott&topic=0&Search=true#Post145714

Thanks Connie! The next time a Master Trainer tells me to wet down Boda's back while working him on a hot day, I will have some information to share with him...

Connie, it would be more drapey and I don't have to freeze it, I can refridge it and just keep it at 45-50 vs 30. The "filling" is gel,t he same stuff used to make cooling neck wraps for people, a non toxic polymer crystal that absorbs water to make a really nice gel that holds temp really well.

It can fit however is best, I will be using velcro, the straps will pass over the shoulders and loin area(around the stomach/tuck up) and around the neck. The fabric will be wet and the cooling gel area will only be from the neck down between the legs to the chest and back to the abdomen. Similar to this :
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+12+9441&pcatid=9441


I hadn't intended to put it on the dog frozen solid as it would be too stiff, but then I thought, even thawed and pliable it would still be very cold, around 30-35 degrees. I just did the tests of how long it stays at what temperatures this morning so I didn't know how well it held the cold.

It would just be for emergencies incase of overheating.. now that I have thought about it more I don't think I'll be storing it in the freezer since it stays so cold so long.

I will keep looking but what temperature range should I shoot for? I can do a lot of tests to find out what temp it needs to be and how I have to store it to know how long it will maintain the correct temperature.

Thanks!

 Quote: Jennifer Marshal

I will keep looking but what temperature range should I shoot for?

Thanks!

I don't know. You mean the temp of the thing? Not the dog, right?

And the link is to a prevention-type version.

I'm thinking the temperature of the vest, not the dog. What temperature would be acceptable to use that would effectively cool a dog without causing shock or harm from being too great a temeperature difference.

I plan to use preventative measures but I will be working my dog in the summer and want to have the vest as precaution. But I don't want it to be too cold, or too warm, to be effective.

I make cooling coats for my dogs. Here is one that I just made for my puppy so it is a tad big:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2728021651_62dae45778_o.jpg

I based my design on the Kool Koats sold on this site:

http://www.pettemp.com/05koolkoatmain/index.htm

They are nice when at hot shows etc but obviously are not a replacement for proper hydration and shade. Here is another design that looks to be even better than the design I use (I'm not good enough at sewing to do these :grin

http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=918&ParentCat=152