Predicted Thermal Responses of Military Working Dog (MWD) to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Protective Kennel Enclosure

The thermal physiological responses of military working dogs (MWD) enclosed in a kennel with a chemical protective cover were evaluated under various conditions using a thermo-physiological simulation computer model. The intent was to quantify the thermal properties of the protective kennel enclosures and to estimate the varied effects on the MWD's physiological responses, including an estimated timeline the animal can safely remain in the enclosure for given ambient meteorological conditions. More specifically, climate chamber studies of the chemical protective kennel cover were conducted over a range of environmental conditions using a human head thermal manikin with sweating capabilities to simulate the MWD. The simulations assumed that a MWD with a core temperature (Tc) of 40.5 deg C or greater experience heat-related illnesses. The simulated MWD responses indicated that a resting Belgian Malinois could remain in a covered kennel without experiencing heat-related illnesses for up to 12 h under external environmental conditions of: 30 deg C, 35 deg C and 40 deg C and 50%RH. However, if the animal is restless and moving about in the kennel, a 30 deg C outside condition could cause the dog's core temperature to approach or exceed an unsafe 40.5 deg C after about 5 hours. The study results provide guidance for safe stay times in an actively-ventilated or passively-ventilated kennel enclosed by a chemical protective cover, and illustrated the thermo-regulatory value of reducing fur length. Please note that this new MWD thermo-physiological simulation model needs to be validated and verified through laboratory and field tests with actual MWDs.