title: Effect of cold compress application on tissue temperature in healthy dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the effect of cold compress application on tissue temperature in healthy dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 healthy mixed-breed dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs were sedated with hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg, IV) and diazepam (0.25 mg/kg, IV). Three 24-gauge thermocouple needles were inserted to a depth of 0.5 (superficial), 1.0 (middle), and 1.5 (deep) cm into a shaved, lumbar, epaxial region to measure tissue temperature. Cold (-16.8°C) compresses were applied with gravity dependence for periods of 5, 10, and 20 minutes. Tissue temperature was recorded before compress application and at intervals for up to 80 minutes after application. Control data were collected while dogs received identical sedation but with no cold compress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean temperature associated with 5 minutes of application at the superficial depth was significantly decreased, compared with control temperatures. Application for 10 and 20 minutes significantly reduced the temperature at all depths, compared with controls and 5 minutes of application. Twenty minutes of application significantly decreased temperature at only the middle depth, compared with 10 minutes of application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With this method of cold treatment, increasing application time from 10 to 20 minutes caused a further significant temperature change at only the middle tissue depth; however, for maximal cooling, the minimum time of application should be 20 minutes. Possible changes in tissue temperature and adverse effects of application > 20 minutes require further evaluation.
authors: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. rmdvm@hotmail.com
authors: Ralph P
authors: RP
authors: Millard
authors: Heather A
authors: HA
authors: Towle-Millard
authors: David C
authors: DC
authors: Rankin
authors: James K
authors: JK
authors: Roush
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001458:Bandages; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation