Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences (ISSN: 2582-3183)

Research Article Volume 2 Issue 8

Factors Affecting the Measurement of Skin Temperature of Horses Using Digital Infrared Thermography

Roy RC1*, Cockram M2 and Riley CB3

1Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
2Department of Health Management, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
3School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Massey, New Zealand

*Corresponding Author: Roy RC, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.

Received: July 15, 2020; Published: July 27, 2020

×

Abstract

 Digital infrared thermography has the potential for use as a diagnostic tool to assess the health and welfare of horses in many different ways such as lameness, joint inflammation and pain evaluation. However, many factors affect the surface temperature of horses that are poorly quantified when we use this technology. Unless we quantify these variations and account for these variations while assessments are performed, the reliability of this technology will remain low. In this study, surface temperatures of four different Regions of Interest (head, trunk, front limb and gluteus) of 8 horses were studied in indoor (range 20ºC to 24ºC) and outdoor conditions (range 19ºC to 22ºC). Both the left and right sides of the trunk and gluteal region surface temperatures of horses were measured to determine thermal symmetry. The surface temperature of horses varied significantly depending on the Region of Interest when animals were in outdoor conditions, whereas it remained similar under indoor conditions. Stability of skin temperatures was observed between the left and right side of regions (thermal symmetry) even under outdoor conditions. Moreover, digital infrared thermography performed in a controlled environment provides more reliable estimates of surface temperature. If animals are exposed to the outdoor environment before thermography, adequate equilibration time should be provided for the surface temperature to revert to normal surface temperatures.

Keywords: Horse; Infrared; Thermography; Skin Surface; Temperature

×

References

  1. Holst GC. “Common sense approach to thermal imaging”. JCD Publishing and SPIE The International Society for Optical Engineering, United States of America (2000).
  2. Alsaaod M and Büscher W. “Detection of hoof lesions using digital infrared thermography in dairy cows”. Journal of Dairy Science 95 (2012): 735-742.
  3. Westerman S., et al. “The effect of airflow on thermographically determined temperature of the distal forelimb of the horse”. Equine Veterinary Journal 45 (2013): 637-641.
  4. Gloster J., et al. “Normal variation in thermal radiated temperature in cattle: implications for footand-mouth disease detection”. BMC Veterinary Research 7 (2011): 73-82.
  5. Autio E., et al. “Measuring the heat loss in horses in different seasons by infrared thermography”. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 9 (2006): 211-221.
  6. Tunley BV and Henson FMD. “Reliability and repeatability of thermographic examination and the normal thermographic image of the thoracolumbar region in the horse”. Equine Veterinary Journal 36 (2004): 306-312.
  7. MacPhee M and University of Prince Edward Island. Quantitative assessment of saddle fit using thermography. Undergraduate thesis (2008) University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, P.E.I. (2008).
  8. , IR., et al. Veterinary Epidemiologic Research, 2nd edition VER, Inc., Charlottetown, P.E.I., Canada (2009).
  9. Venables WN and Ripley BD. Modern applied statistics with S-Plus, Third edition. Springer (2009).
  10. Loughin CA and Marino DJ. “Evaluation of thermographic imaging of the limbs of healthy dogs”. American Journal of Veterinary Research 68 (2007): 1064-1069.
  11. Head MJ and Dyson S. “Taking the temperature of equine thermography”. Veterinary Journal 162 (2001): 166-167.
  12. Zaproudina N., et al. “Reproducibility of infrared thermography measurements in healthy individuals”. Physiological Measurement 29 (2008): 515-524.
  13. Weil M., et al. “Diagnostic validity of thermography in equine lameness”. Tierarztliche Praxis Ausgabe G, Grosstiere/Nutztiere (1988).
  14. Turner TA. “Diagnostic thermography”. Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice 17 (2001): 95-113.
  15. Autio E., et al. “Thermographic evaluation of the lower critical temperature in weanling horses”. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 10 (2007): 207-216.
  16. Ousey JC., et al. “Thermoregulation and total body insulation in the neonatal foal”. Journal of Thermal Biology 1 (1992): 1-10.
  17. Hinchcliff KW., et al. “Equine exercise physiology: The science of exercise in the athletic horse”. Elsevier Saunders, Edinburgh; New York (2008).
  18. Levet T., et al. “Distal limb cast sores in horses: Risk factors and early detection using thermography”. Equine Veterinary Journal1 (2009): 18-23.
  19. Palmer SE. “Use of the Portable Infrared Thermometer as a Means of Measuring Limb Surface Temperature in the Horse”. American Journal of Veterinary Research 42 (1981): 105-108.
  20. Palmer SE. “Effect of ambient temperature upon the surface temperature of the equine limb”. American Journal of Veterinary Research 44 (1983).
  21. Ivana Knıžková Kunc Ṕ., et al. “Evaluation of naturally ventilated dairy barn management by a thermographic method”. Livestock Production Science 77 (2002): 349-353.
  22. Morgan K. “Thermoneutral zone and critical temperatures of horses”. Journal of Thermal Biology 23 (1998): 59-61.
  23. Olowofela JA., et al. “Effect of environmental factors (relative humidity) on thermal signature of buried objects”. New York Science Journal3 (2011): 54-57.
×

Citation

Citation: Roy RC., et al. “Factors Affecting the Measurement of Skin Temperature of Horses Using Digital Infrared Thermography". Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences 3.8 (2020): 09-16.




Metrics

Acceptance rate35%
Acceptance to publication20-30 days
Impact Factor1.008

Indexed In





News and Events


  • Certification for Review
    Acta Scientific certifies the Editors/reviewers for their review done towards the assigned articles of the respective journals.
  • Submission Timeline for Upcoming Issue
    The last date for submission of articles for regular Issues is July 10, 2024.
  • Publication Certificate
    Authors will be issued a "Publication Certificate" as a mark of appreciation for publishing their work.
  • Best Article of the Issue
    The Editors will elect one Best Article after each issue release. The authors of this article will be provided with a certificate of "Best Article of the Issue"
  • Welcoming Article Submission
    Acta Scientific delightfully welcomes active researchers for submission of articles towards the upcoming issue of respective journals.

Contact US