Diagnostic infrared thermography

Thermal imaging can be used to quickly and reliably detect changes in muscular, vascular, skeletal, and nervous systems.

In thermal image analysis, asymmetries that meet the diagnostic criteria are examined in order to locate possible issues. On its own, thermography may not be enough for reaching a conclusive diagnosis. However, it may critically speed up the detection of injuries and inflammations thus leading to earlier and more accurate treatment.

Thermography reveals even the tiniest abnormalities. Early detection means quicker treatment, which in turn often translates into lower treatment costs and shorter recovery. Thermal imaging is a superb tool for early diagnostics, because it may enable the detection of possible problems even weeks before any clinical signs appear

A risk-free and quick diagnostic method

Diagnostic thermal imaging is a comprehensive and risk-free equine and veterinary method for identifying possible injuries and detecting the areas that should be examined further and treated.

Veterinary thermal imaging uses thermal cameras that can detect temperature variations as low as one-tenth degree Celsius on the animal’s skin surface. Those images are then analyzed using thermography software to locate and measure any significant differences.

What thermal imaging does?

Thermal imaging graphically shows the animal’s physiological condition by mapping skin surface temperature. The thermal patterns on both sides of a healthy animal are symmetrical (controlled by the sympathetic nervous system). Abnormalities can be detected from differences between skin surface temperature patterns on either side.

The benefits of thermography

A safe and non-invasive examination.
Examination can be done from a distance. A risk-free and non-contact diagnostic method even for animals in pain.
Quick, objective and reliable measurement of local temperature changes and the identification of possible asymmetries.
Pleasant for the animal, not based on pain reaction identification.
No sedation (no withdrawal period).
No fur clipping.
No exposure to radiation.
Safe also for pregnant and lactating animals, newborns, young and very old animals.
Immediate results in graphic, visual form.

Clinical applications include

Early injury detection before the appearance of clinical signs. (For instance, since a horse is prey, it may not show pain. Thermography can also be used to comprehensively examine animals in pain as well as rescue animals, since the animal is not touched during the examination.)
Localizing problem areas for further examinations and appropriate treatment.
Determining the size of the wound/injury.
Evaluating treatment impact and monitoring healing.
An animal-friendly diagnostic tool, since it is not based on identifying pain reaction.

Get thermal imaging training

Thermidas also provides training for diagnostic thermal imaging. Only trained experts can take trustworthy thermal images and reliably analyze the findings.