Carter Anne J, Hall Emily J
School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Science, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0QF, UK.
J Therm Biol. 2018 Feb;72:33-38. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2017.12.006. Epub 2017 Dec 21.
Increasing numbers of people are running with their dogs, particularly in harness through the sport canicross. Whilst canicross races are typically held in the winter months, some human centred events are encouraging running with dogs in summer months, potentially putting dogs at risk of heat related injuries, including heatstroke. The aim of this project was to investigate the effects of ambient conditions and running speed on post-race temperature of canicross dogs in the UK, and investigate the potential risk of heatstroke to canicross racing dogs. The effects of canine characteristics (e.g. gender, coat colour) were explored in order to identify factors that could increase the risk of exercise-induced hyperthermia (defined as body temperature exceeding the upper normal limit of 38.8°C).108 dogs were recruited from 10 race days, where ambient conditions ranged from - 5 to 11°C measured as universal thermal comfort index (UTCI). 281 post race tympanic membrane temperatures were recorded, ranging from 37.0-42.5°C. There was a weak correlation between speed and post-race temperature (r = 0.269, P < 0.001). Whilst no correlation between any single environmental factor or UTCI and post-race temperature was found, the proportion of dogs developing exercise-induced hyperthermia during the race increased with UTCI (r = 0.688, P = 0.028). Male dogs (χ(1) = 18.286, P < 0.001), and dark coated dogs (χ(2) = 8.234, P = 0.014), were significantly more likely to finish the race with a temperature exceeding 40.6°C. Prolonged elevati°n of body temperature above this temperature is likely to cause heatstroke. At every race dogs exceeded this critical temperature, with 10.7% (n = 30) of the overall study population exceeding this temperature throughout the study period. The results suggest male dogs, dark coloured dogs, and increased speed of running all increase the risk of heatstroke in racing canicross dogs. Further research is required to investigate the impact of environmental conditions on post-race cooling, to better understand safe running conditions for dogs.
越来越多的人带着他们的狗跑步，尤其是通过犬拉雪橇运动。虽然犬拉雪橇比赛通常在冬季举行，但一些以人类为中心的活动鼓励在夏季与狗一起跑步，这可能会使狗面临与热相关的伤害风险，包括中暑。本项目的目的是调查英国环境条件和跑步速度对犬拉雪橇比赛后狗体温的影响，并调查犬拉雪橇比赛犬中暑的潜在风险。探讨了犬类特征（如性别、毛色）的影响，以确定可能增加运动性体温过高风险（定义为体温超过正常上限38.8°C）的因素。从10个比赛日招募了108只狗，当时的环境条件以通用热舒适指数（UTCI）衡量，范围在-5至11°C之间。记录了281次赛后鼓膜温度，范围在37.0 - 42.5°C之间。速度与赛后体温之间存在弱相关性（r = 0.269，P < 0.001）。虽然未发现任何单一环境因素或UTCI与赛后体温之间存在相关性，但比赛期间出现运动性体温过高的狗的比例随UTCI增加（r = 0.688，P = 0.028）。雄性犬（χ(1) = 18.286，P < 0.001）和深色被毛犬（χ(2) = 8.234，P = 0.014）在比赛结束时体温超过40.6°C的可能性显著更高。体温长时间高于此温度可能会导致中暑。在每场比赛中，狗的体温都超过了这个临界温度，在整个研究期间，10.7%（n = 30）的总体研究群体体温超过了这个温度。结果表明，雄性犬、深色犬和跑步速度加快都会增加犬拉雪橇比赛犬中暑的风险。需要进一步研究来调查环境条件对赛后降温的影响，以更好地了解狗的安全跑步条件。
