Effects of external thermal manipulation on laminar temperature and perfusion scintigraphy of the equine digit.

This research article investigates the effect of applying heat and cold externally to the digit (foot) of a horse, and how this alters blood flow and tissue temperature within half an hour. The study finds that cold application reduces, while heat application enhances, blood flow to the soft tissue, and both significantly influence tissue temperatures.

Research Methodology

• The study involved six horses picked in a randomised crossover design, each of which had heat (47 degrees Celsius) or cold (4 degrees Celsius) applied to one of their front feet for a 30-minute period. The other front foot of the same horse was left untreated to serve as a control.
• Before, during, and after the heat or cold therapy, a procedure called nuclear scintigraphy was done. This procedure measures blood flow and soft tissue perfusion to the foot in response to the therapy.
• The researchers also measured laminar tissue temperature using a tool called a thermistor. These temperatures were recorded before, during, and after the therapy.

Research Findings

• The results showed a major decrease in soft-tissue perfusion of approximately 19.5% of the pre-cooled values after the application of cold. On the other hand, the external application of heat amplified soft-tissue perfusion of the horse’s foot about 25.1% above the pre-heated values.
• Even though vascular perfusion followed similar trends, the changes were not sufficiently significant to attain statistical significance.
• Cold therapy produced a significant mean decrease in laminar tissue temperatures of approximately 11.6 degrees Celsius, while heat therapy caused laminar-tissue temperatures to increase significantly by an average of 3.9 degrees Celsius.

Conclusions

• The study concludes that the external application of heat and cold treatments to a normal horse’s foot can significantly affect soft tissue perfusion and laminar tissue temperatures within 30 minutes of treatment.
• It also suggests that the application of even simple therapies – like hot water and ice water – to the horse’s foot can achieve these results, and is safe, well-tolerated, and cost-effective.
• The findings suggest that cooling a horse’s foot could decrease enzymatic reactions associated with laminitis, a painful and serious disease of the hoof, while warming could increase local blood flow when necessary.