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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Vet Res / Veterinary applications of infrared thermography.
American journal of veterinary research2015; 77(1); 98-107; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.77.1.98

Veterinary applications of infrared thermography.

Abstract: Abnormal body temperature is a major indicator of disease; infrared thermography (IRT) can assess changes in body surface temperature quickly and remotely. This technology can be applied to a myriad of diseases of various etiologies across a wide range of host species in veterinary medicine. It is used to monitor the physiologic status of individual animals, such as measuring feed efficiency or diagnosing pregnancy. Infrared thermography has applications in the assessment of animal welfare, and has been used to detect soring in horses and monitor stress responses. This review addresses the variety of uses for IRT in veterinary medicine, including disease detection, physiologic monitoring, welfare assessment, and potential future applications.
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Publication Date: 2015-12-29 PubMed ID: 26709943DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.77.1.98Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses the use of infrared thermography (IRT) in veterinary medicine to detect diseases, monitor physiological changes, assess animal welfare, and conduct disease diagnosis among others. This is based on the fact that changes in body temperature is a strong indicator of disease.

Disease Detection

  • IRT is advantageous in disease detection as it is able to swiftly and remotely evaluate any changes in the body surface temperature, which forms an integral part of any animal’s physiological responses. A change in body temperature can be a primary indicator of a variety of different diseases, and hence, IRT assists in diagnosing various diseases of different etiologies.

Physiological Monitoring

  • Apart from disease detection, IRT also aids in the monitoring of individual animals’ physiological status. This can be of great significance in several cases, such as measuring the feed efficiency in animals which can help in determining the well-being and health status of the animal.
  • Another key application can be in diagnosing pregnancy where IRT can be utilised to identify any changes in physiological or metabolic function in the animal.

Assessment of Animal Welfare

  • IRT plays a very important role in the assessment of animal welfare. This technology can be employed to monitor stress responses in animals, which can influence the implementation of improved welfare approaches.
  • In horses, for instance, IRT has been utilised effectively to detect soring. Soring is a painful condition caused by chemicals or physical methods to make the horse lift its feet higher. Detection of such conditions help in ensuring the welfare of the animals by initiating necessary treatments and preventions.

Future Applications

  • This review also discusses potential future applications of IRT within veterinary medicine. Given its non-invasive nature and the breadth of application, there is substantial scope for the use of IRT in new and innovative ways within the field.

Cite This Article

APA
Rekant SI, Lyons MA, Pacheco JM, Arzt J, Rodriguez LL. (2015). Veterinary applications of infrared thermography. Am J Vet Res, 77(1), 98-107. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.77.1.98

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 1943-5681
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 77
Issue: 1
Pages: 98-107

Researcher Affiliations

Rekant, Steven I
    Lyons, Mark A
      Pacheco, Juan M
        Arzt, Jonathan
          Rodriguez, Luis L

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Welfare
            • Animals
            • Body Temperature / physiology
            • Infrared Rays
            • Monitoring, Physiologic / veterinary
            • Thermography / veterinary

            Citations

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