Effectiveness of Aluminet® suits on the thermoregulation of canines

Abstract

Thermoregulation is a critical factor for a working canine to be able to function in hot/humid environmental conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine if an Aluminet® Suit would reduce thermal stress imposed on a canine by the environment, through reducing the amount of radiant heat absorbed by the body; thereby, improving the canine’s ability to better tolerate the stressors of work and heat. Fourteen working canines participated in a control and three vest/suit conditions while running on a treadmill for 20 minutes at 8 kmh-1 at a 0% grade. The results of this study showed that wearing a Canvas Vest or a Canvas/Aluminet® Vest caused significant (P≤0.05) increases in Heart Rate from Pre to Post work. There was no change in work intensity across the conditions, but increased Heart Rates Post work in the Canvas Vest and Canvas/Aluminet® Vest conditions initiated innate behavioural responses in the canines. Specifically, the canines attempted to dissipate heat by lying down, to maintain homeostasis. The results showed that wearing a vest/suit made of Canvas or Aluminet®, or a combination there of, had no significant effect on a canine’s ability to thermoregulate at 27° ± 0.63°C with 60% ± 3.35 humidity.