Image Credit: © st.kolesnikov | stock.adobe.com

When a dog’s core temperature rises above approximately 105 °F, the risk of organ dysfunction and death climbs sharply, and early, effective field cooling can be lifesaving. Recent trials from the Penn Vet Working Dog Center directly compared several field-feasible cooling strategies and produced results that may change how clinicians approach prehospital management of heat injury. These studies are the research behind Cynthia M. Otto's, DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DACVSMR, recognition as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation Canine Health Discovery of the Year Award finalist.

Working dogs are at a greater risk because drive and motivation can override physiologic cues to stop. As Otto said to AKC, many dogs will “just go, go, go” until collapse, which places responsibility on clinicians to intervene before irreversible injury occurs. The Penn Vet group set out to determine which simple, portable cooling measures produce the most rapid reduction in core body temperature after exercise-induced hyperthermia so that veterinary professionals would have practical, evidence-based options in the field. 

In a randomized crossover trial published in 

, investigators compared partial water immersion, application of isopropyl alcohol to the paw pads, and passive cooling in 11 working dogs after standardized exercise. Partial water immersion cooled dogs more quickly than either isopropyl alcohol or no intervention; dogs that were passively cooled in shade frequently continued to warm for the 20-minute observation period, underscoring that rest alone is often insufficient and that active cooling is required. Notably, isopropyl alcohol did reduce core temperature relative to no intervention, but its application was associated with elevated heart rates, which could blunt the cooling benefit and have practical safety concerns, such as topical irritation and flammability.

Building on those findings, a separate Penn Vet randomized crossover study reported in the 

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

 evaluated several field methods that clinicians could realistically deploy, such as neck ice packs, wet neck towels, wet axillary towels, and a trained voluntary head immersion lasting about 30 seconds into approximately 70 °F (22 °C) water. The most striking and reproducible result was that the trained voluntary head dunk produced the most rapid early reduction in core temperature and was the only method that prevented the transient rise in temperature often seen immediately after stopping strenuous activity. In other words, when dogs were trained to voluntarily dunk their heads (for a toy or food reward), a brief head immersion produced measurable cooling within minutes and yielded sustained early benefit compared with the other field protocols tested.

The physiology behind this effect is straightforward: Dogs dissipate much of their heat through panting, which increases blood flow to the head, muzzle, and nasal turbinates. Cooling those well-perfused tissues by conduction, by submerging the head to the level of the eyes or ears, rapidly cools blood returning from the head that then circulates systemically, lowering core temperature more quickly than surface cooling of the limbs or trunk alone. The Penn Vet authors emphasize that this is a targeted, physiology-based intervention that is simple to train and deploy when water is available.

These papers also highlight important limitations in clinical practice. Both trials enrolled small numbers of working dogs in training (11-12 dogs), which limits generalizability to the broader pet population; to brachycephalic, geriatric, or debilitated animals; and to dogs that present with severe heat stroke and altered mentation. The voluntary head dunk was deliberately evaluated only in dogs that were cooperative and had normal mentation. Dogs that are obtunded, seizing, or unable to protect the airway are not candidates for a voluntary dunk and require aggressive, supervised emergency cooling and immediate transport. Moreover, the head dunk’s effectiveness depends on prior training and handler skill. An untrained, uncooperative dog will not benefit.

From a practical standpoint, these findings appear to support the idea that passive rest alone is not adequate; feasible partial or whole-body water immersion is preferred. When immersion of the body is impractical, but the dog is cooperative and alert, a short, trained, voluntary head dunk offers the most rapid early cooling. Across all scenarios, the papers encourage the principle of “cool first, transport second” because early, effective cooling reduces the risk of progression to severe heat stroke.

Editor’s note: An AI tool was used to aid in the author’s examination and summary of the research papers’ results.

A simple solution for a dangerous problem. American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. November 11, 2025. Accessed November 21, 2025. 

https://www.akcchf.org/educational-resources/library/articles/a-simple-solution-for-a-dangerous-problem/

Parnes SC, Mallikarjun A, Ramos MT, Stone TA, Otto CM. A randomized cross-over study comparing cooling methods for exercise-induced hyperthermia in working dogs in training. 

. 2023;13(23):3673. doi:10.3390/ani13233673

Parnes SC, Mallikarjun A, Ramos MT, Capparell TR, Otto CM. Voluntary head dunking after exercise-induced hyperthermia rapidly reduces core body temperature in dogs. 

 2024;262(12):1613-1621. doi:10.2460/javma.24.06.0368

Articles

Penn Vet Working Dog Center trials show that a trained, 30-second, voluntary head dunk can rapidly lower core temperature in cooperative dogs.

A simple, trained 30-second head dunk rapidly cools overheated dogs

Photo: Кристина Корнеева/Adobe Stock

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for lotilaner chewable tablets (Credelio Cat; Elanco Animal Health) for treating New World screwworm (NWS) infestations in cats and kittens. Credelio Cat is the first drug to receive FDA authorization for the treatment of NWS in cats.

The emergency use authorization for Credelio Cat follows the earlier 

FDA authorization of lotilaner (Credelio) for treating NWS infestations in dogs

, which was announced on October 24, 2025.

The FDA determined that, based on available scientific evidence, Credelio Cat may be effective in treating NWS infestations in cats and kittens. Although the product is not officially FDA approved for treating NWS, the federal agency concluded that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh its known and potential risks, clearing the way for its emergency use in affected animals.

The authorization was based on research evaluating Credelio Cat’s efficacy against naturally acquired Old World screwworm (OWS) myiasis in 2 cats in Malaysia, as well as studies of Credelio’s effectiveness against NWS myiasis in 11 naturally infested dogs in Brazil.

The latter study was the basis for the FDA’s emergency use authorization of Credelio for dogs earlier this fall.

 According to the study on Credelio Cat, the treatment had 100% larvicidal effectiveness against OWS (

) at 24 hours post treatment in the 2 cats.

 Credelio also demonstrated 100% efficacy against the parasite’s larvae within 24 hours of treatment.

“This historic [emergency use authorization] equips veterinarians and cat owners with a treatment solution and provides reassurance that they're prepared to act quickly if New World screwworm crosses into the US,” Ellen de Brabander, PhD, executive vice president of innovation and regulatory affairs at Elanco, said in a news release.

Credelio Cat is approved for flea- and tick-related indications in cats and kittens. The product gained FDA approval for this use in 2019. Specifically, the product is approved for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (

) for 1 month in cats and kittens 8 weeks of age and older that weigh 2 lb or more. The drug is also indicated for the treatment and control of infestations of 

, commonly known as the black-legged tick, for 1 month in cats and kittens 6 months of age and older that weigh 2 lb or more.

As an isoxazoline, lotilaner use has been linked to neurologic adverse effects, such as muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures. Veterinarians should take extra caution if using the product on cats with a history of neurologic disorders.

The product is only available through a prescription from a licensed veterinarian, as professional expertise is needed to monitor for and respond to possible adverse reactions.

 Although NWS poses a low risk to most cats in the US, outdoor felines 

 or those that have traveled to countries with active NWS cases face a higher risk of NWS exposure.

On August 18, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared NWS a potential for a public health emergency.

 According to an announcement by the FDA, the emergency use authorization for Credelio Cat to treat NWS in cats will be in place until it is revoked or until HHS declares that NWS no longer presents a significant potential for a public health emergency.

“Given [NWS's] aggressive and invasive nature, any minor wounds from grooming, scratching, or outdoor activities can serve as an entry point for these parasites," Casey Locklear, DVM, a Texas-based veterinarian and parasiticide lead at Elanco, said.

 "It's essential to prevent or quickly address any wounds to keep cats safe from [NWS].”

FDA issues emergency use authorization for Credelio Cat to treat New World screwworm in cats. FDA. November 21, 2025. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFDA/bulletins/3fc7c4b?reqfrom=share

Bautista-Alejandre A. FDA grants emergency use authorization for lotilaner to treat New World screwworm in dogs. 

. October 24, 2025. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/fda-grants-emergency-use-authorization-for-lotilaner-to-treat-new-world-screwworm-in-dogs

Fact sheet for veterinarians: emergency use authorization of Credelio Cat (lotilaner). FDA. November 21, 2025. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/media/189726/download?attachment=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Han HS, Yasmin L. Chrysomya bezziana (Diptera: Calliphoridae) infestation in two Malaysian cats treated with oral lotilaner. 

. 2020;31(4):335-e87. doi:10.1111/vde.12855

do Vale TL, Costa AR, Miranda LM, et al. Efficacy of lotilaner against myiasis caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in naturally infested dogs. 

. 2023;16(1):86. doi:10.1186/s13071-023-05661-z

Elanco's Credelio Cat (lotilaner) receives first FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) for treatment of New World screwworm (NWS) in cats. News release. Elanco Animal Health. November 21, 2025. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://investor.elanco.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2025/Elancos-Credelio-CAT-lotilaner-Receives-First-FDA-Emergency-Use-Authorization-EUA-for-Treatment-of-New-World-Screwworm-NWS-in-Cats/default.aspx 

Freedom of information summary (FOI): original emergency use authorization (EUA). Elanco. November 21, 2025. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/media/189728/download?attachment=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Declaration of emergency pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for New World screwworm. Department of Health and Human Services. August 20, 2025. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/20/2025-15918/declaration-of-emergency-pursuant-to-the-federal-food-drug-and-cosmetic-act-for-new-world-screwworm?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

The FDA determined that Credelio Cat may be effective in treating New World screwworm infestations in cats and kittens.

Antiparasitic receives FDA emergency authorization to treat New World screwworm in cats

Jack Teitelman is a retired Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) supervisory special agent with more than 26 years of experience investigating and dismantling narcotics trafficking organizations in the US and internationally. Following a distinguished DEA career that included leadership roles in electronic surveillance, complex criminal investigations, and the New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force, Teitelman now serves as president and founder of TITAN Group, a regulatory consulting firm specializing in DEA compliance in animal and human health care. Over the past 9 years or so, he has worked as a pharmaceutical expert on the legal side, alongside veterinarians, manufacturers, distributors, and health care professionals to provide regulatory compliance services.

, Teitelman breaks down what veterinarians need to know about DEA compliance. He explains how veterinary practices have now become a formal part of the DEA’s annual work plan, why audits are occurring more frequently than ever before, and what clinics must do to avoid the most common compliance pitfalls.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

: What are some of the best DEA practices for managing controlled substances in veterinary clinics?

: I [recently] gave a talk to the Connecticut [Veterinary Medical Association]. At the end of the webinar, there’s a slide that says: 

. That is the most important thing you can do: keeping up with your record keeping.

Security [is also important]: if you don’t have an alarm system, get one; if you don’t have cameras covering all pertinent areas where you store controlled substances, get them. These are all pain points the DEA [looks at] when things go wrong—they’re going to ask, “Why didn’t you have this? Why didn’t you have that?” And you should [have it]. It's all in your bible—the [

Reconciling is a little different from counting. Counting is part of it, but [you need to] make sure you have consistent cycle counts—whether you do it on a daily basis, weekly, quarterly, [you must] do it. If you haven’t done a biennial inventory, do it today. These are all things that DEA expects you to have ready and retrievable for them when they walk in the door...so you have to be prepared for them.

Reconciling is [the] No. 1 [best practice.] Being proactive is No. 2. Being proactive means understanding what it is that you're buying and how you manage it. [It’s also knowing] how you balance [substances], what you bought, what used, what you have on hand, and what you sold. It's very simple math, but it gets out of hand as time goes by.

: How should controlled substances be appropriately stored and dispensed?

: According to the DEA, they have to be stored in a substantially constructed device. The easiest way [to do this] if you don't have a large amount of drugs is to go to Home Depot and buy a small gun safe—those are easy to secure; it has to be secured. You can put 2 lag bolts in and you’ve met the standard of a storage.

If you have a larger inventory, you’re better off buying a large, 750-lb safe that can't be carried out. And if you're using a refrigerator to store drugs, make sure the refrigerator is also secure and that you have ancillary storage inside that refrigerator.

Just be cognizant of how easy it would be to break into it. That used to be my job at the DEA when I was in a group that did break-ins and put bugs in people's houses and cameras. Some were easy to get into because people didn't secure [properly]. [Proper] hardware, Medeco-type locks, [and] technology like automated dispensing systems [can help].

: What are some common mistakes veterinary professionals make with controlled substances?

: [One major mistake is failing to document the “life story” of a pill.] The DEA is following the life story of one pill. Let’s use tramadol, for example. [DEA] is at the manufacturing facility that makes tramadol. They're stress-testing that manufacturer to make sure what it bought to synthetically make that [pill] is being managed correctly. Then they follow that one pill to the drug distributor—one of the big drug suppliers that you're buying from. Again, they [get] stress-tested by the DEA [questioning], “[How many tramadol pills] did you buy?”

And they're going to go through the same test when that one pill now gets sold to you as the veterinarian. What [often] goes wrong there is the story ends there. There’s no documentation about when that one pill came in, who signed for it. What did you do with that one pill when it came in? Was it put in backstop? Was it immediately given to a patient because you owed the patient pills? Failing to negotiate and complete the basic purchase records the DEA expects you to have is the biggest failure we see. Without this, the DEA can’t verify your inventory.

Accurate tracking of those purchases [and] keeping a perpetual inventory of all of your purchases is vital to passing a DEA inspection. So, if you don't have a logbook of what you bought and then where that went from the beginning, you’re going to fail DEA’s accountability audit when they come in.

: How often are veterinary clinics audited by the DEA?

: .... Your chances of [the DEA] coming are so much higher now than ever before. Audits are happening more often now than ever. DEA investigators’ fiscal year starts October 1, and...veterinarians are now part of the work plan for every DEA investigator.

Why is DEA showing up more than they've ever done before? Well, (a) it's their job, and (b) veterinarians are challenging in the sense that you use controlled substances unlike anybody else. You're using human drugs off label. You're using them for different purposes. You're putting them into compounds. You're making [constant rate infusion] mixtures that sometimes get used across multiple patients. So there are lots of things that need to be addressed when we're in a veterinary clinic that aren't addressed on the human side.

[TITAN Group] understands the challenges of dealing with injectable medications. That is something that the DEA is not used to dealing with. They're used to dealing with the unit doses that they see in a hospital: pills. Pills are easy to count, right? When you have liquid, have injectables, that becomes different. Then you don't know what you started with.

And then there are all the different uses of various needle-size gauge needles that are used. It [messes] things up when we try to track hub loss [and] can make it look like we're missing stuff when we're really not. And so we have to be able to explain that to the DEA agents: No, we're not missing a bottle—it’s because of 

. When we track all of that and we see variances, [we] can prove why it looks like we have a loss when we really don’t. That’s why we haven’t reported it.

Being consistent in how you do your recordkeeping goes a long way. Even if your recordkeeping [isn’t great], if you're consistent, sometimes that gives us a shot at finding where the issues are.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is auditing veterinary clinics more frequently than before, explains Jack Teitelman, CEO of a DEA regulatory consulting firm, in this Q&A.

A former DEA agent on what veterinarians need to know about DEA compliance

 readers! We are now officially 2 weeks away from Fetch Long Beach, our last Fetch dvm360 Conference of 2026. There is still time to join the educational experience, our amazing faculty, incredible exhibitors, and your wonderful fellow veterinary professionals for a conference full of networking, learning, and fun! There is still time to secure your spot, so register 

 today! If you cannot attend, be sure to follow along on dvm360.com for our 

 content team covered on dvm360.com this week:

 a reminder to pet food industry earlier this fall to consider highly pathogenic avian influenza in their food safety plans due to cases tending to increase during the fall migratory season, and comes after several raw cat and dog foods tested positive for avian influenza the past few months.

’s Strategic Alliance Partner Florida Veterinary Advisors, Tom Seeko, CExP, shares a practical guide for veterinary professionals on how they can get “financially married.”

, Kelly Chappell, DVM, DACVM (Small Animal), joined host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to talk more on feline infectious peritonitis, including the struggles to diagnosis it in clinical practice, treatment, and alternative options currently available on the market.

The University of Denver's Institute for Human-Animal Connection recently received a 

 from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute. Led by Kevin Morris, PhD, the funding will support a new study assessing how effective housing rental deposit programs for low-income tenants with pets are at increasing housing security.

 at the 2025 New York Vet Show, Monica Tarantino, DVM, MBA, cofounder of the Senior Dog Veterinary Society, explains the importance of understanding the point of view of the senior pets caregiver when talking to them about quality of life as well as end-of-life decisions.

Wrap up: FDA urges pet food manufacturers to address avian influenza in food safety plans, and other news

A pair of avian influenza vaccines targeting the H5 strain of the virus in birds have received positive opinions from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP). The CVMP has also recommended European Union marketing authorization under exceptional circumstances for these immunizations, known as Vaxxitek HVT+IBD+H5 and Vaxxinact H5, by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Avian influenza has caused outbreaks in wildlife and commercial flocks around the world, including Antarctica. The H5 virus strain is common in avian influenza cases.

The Vaxxitek HVT+IBD+H5 and Vaxxinact H5 vaccines could be important for monitoring disease outbreaks, according to Boehringer Ingelheim. These preventive therapies include a biomarker for distinguishing the immune response to vaccination from infection antibodies that, when combined with surveillance, can play a role in reducing the risk of trade restrictions for animal products.

A new vaccine for swine is launched in the US

“By continuously monitoring the efficacy of our vaccines and advancing our technologies, we ensure the right protection against the evolving avian influenza virus,” Taoufik Rawi, head of franchise and poultry for Boehringer Ingelheim, said in a news release.

 “The positive opinions for Vaxxitek HVT+IBD+H5 and Vaxxinact H5 are critical to increase preparedness against avian influenza outbreaks in Europe.”

The European Commission will ultimately decide on whether marketing authorizations under exceptional circumstances for Vaxxitek HVT+IBD+H5 and Vaxxinact H5 will be granted. These decisions are expected in the coming months, according to Boehringer Ingelheim.

The World Organisation for Animal Health has advised that vaccination for avian influenza may be recommended under certain conditions. This international organization, based in Paris, France, suggests that vaccination for avian influenza should be integrated into comprehensive disease control strategies. However, decisions on vaccination against avian influenza rest with each country’s veterinary authority.

“Transboundary animal diseases like avian influenza will continue to be a threat, so new approaches to control these infectious diseases in animals, especially livestock, are increasingly important,” Armin Wiesler, head of the animal health business unit and member of the board of managing directors for Boehringer Ingelheim, said in the release. Wiesler added that the company is ready to support governments, health authorities, and producers with its vaccines and provide expertise for monitoring and setting up disease control plans.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in Europe and Canada in 2021, and reached the US through seasonal migration of wild birds, including waterfowl. Millions of poultry have since been affected throughout the US.

New outbreaks of the virus have been recently reported in poultry on commercial farms in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Additionally, Nebraska recently reported its first case of H5N1 in dairy cattle after the virus was detected in milk samples.

Researchers find avian influenza in New York bobcats

Boehringer Ingelheim obtains two EU CVMP positive opinions for avian influenza vaccines Vaxxitek HVT+IBD+H5 and Vaxxinact H5. News release. Boehringer Ingelheim. November 20, 2025. Accessed November 20, 2025. 

https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/veterinary-public-health/boehringer-ingelheim-obtains-two-eu-cvmp-positive-opinions-avian-influenza-vaccines

Avian influenza. World Organisation for Animal Health. Accessed November 20, 2025. 

https://www.woah.org/en/disease/avian-influenza/#ui-id-3

Poultry. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Updated May 20, 2025. Accessed November 20, 2025. 

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-bird-flu-resource-center/poultry

Bautista-Alejandre A. New bird flu outbreaks reported in poultry across 3 Midwestern states. 

. October 6, 2025. Accessed November 20, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-bird-flu-outbreaks-reported-in-poultry-across-3-midwestern-states

Boehringer Ingelheim earned positive opinions for 2 immunization therapies in the pipeline. 

European agency recommends marketing authorization for avian flu vaccines

Several organizations are working together to implement a national animal emergency response program in Canada. The initiative, a collaboration between Mars, Inc, and Humane Canada, aims to improve the preparedness and capabilities for humane societies, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) organizations, and other animal welfare groups across the country during emergencies and disaster relief efforts.

Through the program, Mars and Humane Canada aim to establish a unified and integrated response network between animal care providers and first responders, ensuring pets have access to essential care and protection during emergencies, the organizations stated in a joint news release.

 The program will also provide first responders with training on dealing with emergency scenarios.

"Humane Canada is proud to collaborate with Mars to build a national framework that strengthens how animals are protected during emergencies," Kathy Duncan, director of national programs at Humane Canada, said in the news release.

 "Every year, our member humane societies and SPCAs respond to wildfires, floods, and other crises, often working alongside first responders under difficult conditions. This program will give them the tools, training, and coordination they need to act faster and more effectively so animals and their families receive the care and support they deserve when disaster strikes."

Mars and Humane Canada are also advocating for the inclusion of animals in national and provincial emergency response plans, arguing that their implementation is essential to ensure pets receive adequate care during emergencies. Without the program, approximately 16 million cats and dogs throughout Canada

 could be left vulnerable during emergencies, especially amid a rise in wildfires and other natural disasters.

"This program marks a meaningful milestone for pets and pet parents in Canada,” Romain Dumas, general manager at Mars Pet Nutrition Canada, said in the release.

“With a rise in natural disasters, specifically wildfires within Canada, there has never been a more critical time for ensuring pets are responsibly cared for and supported during emergencies.”

VCA Canada and Royal Canin Canada will also be assisting in the development and maintenance of the program, as subsidiaries of Mars. "Royal Canin Canada is proud to tangibly support emergency response efforts in partnership with Humane Canada," Rob Lunn, general manager of Royal Canin Canada, said in the release.

"From assisting veterinarians and technicians as boots on the ground to both a financial and nutritional investment, we're excited to do our part to provide assistance for cats and dogs in need across Canada."

VCA Canada noted that a national support system and education for shelter partners, first responders, and hospital teams will have a “meaningful and measurable impact” on supporting pets and their caregivers in times of emergency.

Mars and Humane Canada team up to implement national animal emergency response program in Canada. News release. Vicar Operating Inc. November 19, 2025. Accessed November 20, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mars-and-humane-canada-team-up-to-implement-national-animal-emergency-response-program-in-canada-813634396.html

State of the Pet Homelessness Project report. State of the Pet Homelessness Project. Accessed November 20, 2025. 

https://www.stateofpethomelessness.com/latest-report/?Country=Canada

The initiative comes as wildfires and other disasters pose an increasing risk to pets in Canada.