Utilizing Infrared Imaging
for Immediate Injury Identification

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What is Thermal Imaging

Thermal Imaging is a non-invasive, completely safe technology that has the ability to detect changes in temperature related to localized inflammation and/or blood flow to the tissues. Such changes have been shown to occur 2-6 weeks prior to the onset of clinical signs of lameness. Infrared thermography is a diagnostic tool that uses the very latest Infrared imaging equipment and computer software to detect minute differences in the horse's thermal and neural condition and allows us to quickly and efficiently identify trauma in an injured animal. By identifying the location of the injury we can prevent further trauma, make a decision on treatment needed and monitor the recovery. infrared thermal imaging of the Equine has proved to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis and prognosis of the injured Equine.

What do you use it for?

Thermal imaging is a physiologic imaging modality, therefore it detects changes in blood flow and metabolism, but it cannot necessarily tell you which exact anatomic structure is affected. Thermal imaging detects surface heat directly correlated to circulation, or a lack thereof. Therefore, anything that requires a tool to identify inflammation (muscle strain, ligament and joint capsule sprain, arthritis), reduced circulation, potential nerve damage, or serial patterns, falls under the thermal imaging umbrella. Thermal Imaging is effective in the early detection of cancer as the growth brings with it its own vasculature, and therefore increased blood flow.

See Monitoring Animals with Thermal Imaging

How does it work?

Infrared thermography identifies abnormalities by measuring the surface temperature of a horse's body and legs, showing areas that are excessively warm or cool, both of which may reveal an abnormality indicative of a problem. Thermal Imaging can detect changes with a thermal sensitivity of 0.04 degree Celsius. This allows you to perceive early abnormalities before they become anatomical disruption such as muscle strain, ligament sprain, joint capsule inflammation, stress fractures and more. If not detected early some condition may become catastrophic or even life-threatening situations.

Who Benefits from Thermal Imaging?

All animals, large and small, including humans, benefit from early detection with thermal imaging. Based on temperature grade radiance, any early inflammation will be picked-up days before lameness signs show up!

From your pet companion such as dog, cat, birds to your larger animals such as horses, donkeys, cows, bulls, all the way to zoo animals all can benefit from infrared Technology.

Equipment

We use the FLIR T300 camera for all our consultations because we believe it to be the best equipment in the world today, enabling the capture of the highest resolution infrared images possible and maximizing the contrast optimization options.

Combined with advanced software (FLIR reporter 8.5 Pro Software), we can provide you a detailed report with photographical support in either a printed form or as a pdf file that can be emailed to other professional at your discretion.

Thermal Imaging versus X-ray and MRI

Unlike conventional X-rays and MRI scans, Infrared Thermographic Imaging does not use any radiation and is therefore perfectly safe for the horse and the handler. The only other physiologic imaging modality is nuclear scintigraphy, or a "bone scan," which involves injecting a radiopaque isotope that highlights areas of inflammation. Anatomic imaging modalities include traditional radiographs ("x-rays"), ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These modalities pinpoint the structures affected with pathology, but only give a static image of disease processes.

Physiological imaging such as infrared thermal Imaging has the ability to not only see tissue conditions but can also recognize areas that are indicative to anatomical tissues. In most cases the results of Thermographs can be provided instantly to enable vets, owners and equine therapists and professionals to make prompt diagnoses and begin appropriate treatment.

Infrared Thermographic imaging is performed using portable equipment that means it is a user friendly and imaging can be carried out "in the field" making Equine Thermography an invaluable diagnostic tool.

Thermal Imaging is more effective and cheaper and allowing early treatment which in most cases is quicker. Thermography compares favourably to the cost of other diagnostic tests, for example X-rays ($80-$100 per plate) and MRI scans $1000-$2500), and the results correlate very well with those discovered through other diagnostic methods.