Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How full-body spandex suits affect dogs' temperature and oxygen use
By Reimer, S Brent et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2004·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of a whole-body spandex garment on rectal temperature and oxygen consumption in healthy dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Ten healthy dogs were tested to see if wearing a full-body spandex garment affected their body temperature and oxygen use in different temperatures. The study found that dogs wearing the garment had a lower increase in body temperature in warmer conditions compared to when they weren't wearing it. This suggests that the spandex garment can help dogs stay cool and maintain their body temperature, making it a safe option for protecting wounds or stitches without risking overheating.
People also search for: dog spandex garment safety · how to keep my dog cool · dog wound protection clothing
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a full-body spandex garment would alter rectal temperatures of healthy dogs at rest in cool and warm environments. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 10 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Each dog was evaluated at a low (20 degrees to 25 degrees C [68 degrees to 77 degrees F]) or high (30 degrees to 35 degrees C [86 degrees to 95 degrees F]) ambient temperature while wearing or not wearing a commercially available whole-body spandex garment designed for dogs. Oxygen consumption was measured by placing dogs in a flow-through indirect calorimeter for 90 to 120 minutes. Rectal temperature was measured before dogs were placed in the calorimeter and after they were removed. RESULTS: Rectal temperature increased significantly more at the higher ambient temperature than at the lower temperature and when dogs were not wearing the garment than when they were wearing it. The specific rate of oxygen consumption was significantly higher at the lower ambient temperature than at the higher temperature. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that wearing a snug spandex body garment does not increase the possibility that dogs will overheat while in moderate ambient temperatures. Instead, wearing such a garment may enable dogs to better maintain body temperature during moderate heat loading. These results suggest that such garments might be used for purposes such as wound or suture protection without causing dogs to overheat.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14710879/