VET CLINIC
In association with
Helen Morrell, BSc (Hons), DipM, MCIM
of Veterinary Theraml Imaging
we are pleased to providesome information about this non-invasive diagnostic tool.
___________________________________________________
Veterinary Thermal Imaging
Thermal Imaging is an exciting new technique which has been perfected over the last few years in the USA, and is now available to horse owners in the UK.
Unlike other diagnostic tools it’s non-contact, non-invasive, emits no radiation, and is fully portable. The cameras used are about the size of a camcorder, silent in operation and battery powered, so there’s no need to travel or sedate your horse. It’s very well tolerated by animals.
“Without a diagnosis, surgery is trauma, medicine is poison, and alternative therapies are witchcraft.” A. Kent Allen
Pinpointing the seat of a problem is often half the battle in obtaining a diagnosis. Thermal Imaging is an incredibly sensitive way of mapping the surface temperature of the horse. The cameras can detect temperature differences of 0.05oC, and take over 80,000 individual temperature readings in each thermogram – much more sensitive than the human hand which can detect 2oC of difference.
The process is quick (taking about 30 minutes to image a complete horse), thorough and holistic; the camera doesn’t miss anything –making it ideal for shifting and intermittent lameness problems, back problems and other secondary issues which may be missed but also need treating, including often overlooked hoof balance and saddle fit.
Temperature readings are a physiological measure, and show an excellent correlation to injured areas, with cooler or warmer than expected areas overlying muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints etc. indicating an underlying problem.
One of the biggest pluses of the sensitivity of the camera is that it has been scientifically proven to detect joint and tendon problems in horses up to three weeks before any clinical signs are evident . It can pick up the tissues which are just under a state of stress, before major anatomical disruption occurs allowing treatment programmes to begin sooner and usually with a better prognosis. Horses are amazing creatures, and can mask pain for weeks before letting us know there’s anything wrong. This innate behaviour serves them well in the wild, where weakness would single them out for attack, but in the domesticated environment it doesn’t do them favours. We’re likely to ‘ride through’ ridden vices, up the ‘carbs’ for a lethargic horse, start remedial schooling for the horse which can’t collect or has started refusing fences; without first checking whether there’s anything wrong.
Some key points when considering thermal imaging
As the camera is so sensitive, careful preparation procedures need to be followed, and it’s important to use a thermographer who knows how to collect, manage and interpret the images. Without this care and attention to detail the images are not such a useful tool for vets and paraprofessionals.
It’s also very important to check that the camera they use has a high enough resolution to produce medically acceptable images (240 x 360 or greater), has a thermal sensitivity of more than 50mK (mili-Kelvins, equivalent to 0.05oC), and is suitable for outdoor and year-round use. Some thermal ‘scanners’ developed for use in a human clinical setting and since adapted to veterinary use are only accurate when operating in an ambient temperature of > 20oC. Most cameras initially developed for industrial use (such as FLIR, Fluke and NEC) can work accurately in temperatures from -20oC to +50oC ideal for the changing UK weather.
Footnote
Veterinary Thermal Imaging’s thermographers work with the kind permission of the RCVS and under the RCVS Code of Conduct, are veterinary school trained, and use the latest FLIR veterinary thermal imaging cameras.
All their thermal imaging is conducted under veterinary referral / with the treating vet’s permission.
They’re also trained across all species, with thermal imaging being a useful tool for every animal from Labradors to lions!
Prices range from £30 to £195 (for a full scan plus saddle fit, comprising approx. 90 images), and the service is national – with call out charged at 50p per mile one-way from nearest of either Oxford or Nottingham bases.
Thermographic assessment of racing Thoroughbreds. TA Turner J Pansch J Wilson. Proc Conference on Equine Sports Medicine and Science 2002 p207
______________________________________________________________________________
Please click through to the EQUINE SCIENCE UPDATE
website for more articles to read plus information on how to subscribe to a monthly newsletter.
______________________________________________________________________________