[Diagnostic validity of thermography of lameness in horses].
Abstract: Thirty-six lameness free horses and 119 horses with lameness of the distal forelimb including the carpus were evaluated through thermography. Examination was done with an infrared thermography camera "Thermovision 470" and a specially developed analyzing software program. Temperature differences between corresponding regions of the left and right forelimb were determined and scrutinized statistically between various lameness groups. By creating temperature differences between both limbs a parameter for skin temperature was found which is independent of surrounding temperature. In lameness free horses skin temperature was contralaterally symmetric and there was no significant temperature difference between left and right limb. A significant (p < 0.01) temperature difference of all regions in comparison to lameness free horses was demonstrated in diseases like navicular disease, pododermatitis and tendopathia. Horses with a diagnosis of coffin bone fracture and arthropathia showed a significant (p < 0.05) temperature difference in almost all regions compared to controls, whereas horses with laminitis and periostitis did not show a significant difference. Loss of symmetric distribution of skin temperature could be demonstrated between affected and non-affected regions. Thermography can show and quantitatively prove very well changes in skin temperature in forelimb lameness. It must be emphasized that thermography in lameness diagnosis of horses is only useful in combination with a thorough clinical examination including additional examination procedures.
Publication Date: 1998-12-19 PubMed ID: 9857414
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- English Abstract
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research focuses on the use of thermography, specifically infrared thermography camera “Thermovision 470”, as a diagnostic tool for identifying lameness in horses, particularly in the distal forelimb including the carpus. The study found significant temperature differences between the left and right limbs in horses with specific diseases, suggesting the potential utility of this non-invasive diagnostic tool when combined with thorough clinical examination.
Thermography Examination and Analysis
- The study involved 36 horses free from lameness and 119 horses exhibiting lameness in the distal forelimb, including the carpus. All of these were evaluated through an infrared thermography camera named “Thermovision 470”.
- The research team also created a software program that would help analyze the data collected from the thermographic images. This program was used to determine differences in temperature between corresponding regions of the left and right forelimbs.
- The temperature differences generated a parameter for skin temperature that didn’t rely on the surrounding environment’s temperature.
Temperature Difference Observations
- In horses free from lameness, the skin temperature was symmetric between both limbs. There wasn’t any significant difference in temperature between their left and right limbs, illustrating a baseline for healthy horses.
- However, for horses suffering from specific diseases such as navicular disease, pododermatitis, and tendopathia, the study observed a significant temperature difference in all regions compared to the lameness-free horses.
- Horses diagnosed with coffin bone fracture and arthropathia also showed significant temperature difference in almost all regions as compared to the control group.
- Horses with laminitis and periostitis didn’t present a substantial difference in temperature, indicating that thermography might be less effective in these specific conditions.
Thermography for Lameness Diagnosis
- The research concluded that thermography is effective in showing and quantitatively proving changes in skin temperature associated with forelimb lameness in horses, making it a potential effective diagnostic tool.
- However, it’s essential to note that thermography shouldn’t be deployed as a standalone diagnostic method for lameness. Instead, it should be used in conjunction with a comprehensive clinical examination, including additional examination procedures.
Cite This Article
APA
Weil M, Litzke LF, Fritsch R.
(1998).
[Diagnostic validity of thermography of lameness in horses].
Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere, 26(6), 346-354.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Chirurgischen Veterinärklinik, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
- Lameness, Animal / etiology
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Photography
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Reproducibility of Results
- Thermography / methods
- Thermography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Zaha C, Schuszler L, Dascalu R, Nistor P, Florea T, Rujescu C, Sicoe B, Igna C. Thermographic Image of the Hoof Print in Leisure and Cross-Country Warmblood Horses: A Pilot Study. Vet Sci 2023 Jul 18;10(7).
- Doyle M. Infrared thermography for detection of blunt-force trauma injuries during animal abuse investigations. Can Vet J 2024 Sep;65(9):880-885.
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