2013/01/17 by Simone Westermann, H. H. F. BUCHNER, Heinz H. F. Buchner +4 · 2 citations
Medicine · Veterinary · #Infrared Thermography in Medicine #Thermal Regulation in Medicine #Veterinary Equine Medical Research
paper · pdf · doi:10.2460/javma.242.3.388
openalex publication_date 2013/01/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
OBJECTIVE: To assess effects of camera angle and distance on measurement and reproducibility of thermographically determined temperatures of the distolateral aspect of the forelimbs in horses. DESIGN: Evaluation study. ANIMALS: 10 adult horses. PROCEDURES: Thermographic images of both forelimbs were obtained at 3 times during the day (replicates 1, 2, and 3); maximum surface temperature over 1 region (distolateral aspect of the third metacarpal bone and metacarpophalangeal joint) was measured. Standard images were obtained every 5 minutes for 1 hour with the camera positioned at an angle of 90° and a distance of 1.0 m from the forelimb; additional images were obtained at changed (± 20°) angles or at a 1.5-m distance. At the end of each replicate, 4 sets of additional images were obtained at 2-minute intervals to assess short-term reproducibility. RESULTS: Mean ± SD temperature difference between left and right forelimbs was 0.32° ± 0.27°C (0.58° ± 0.49°F) in standard images. Temperatures measured via standard images were highly correlated with those measured with the camera positioned at changed angles or distance. Mean ± SD differences between temperatures measured via standard images and those measured from changed angles or distance were considered small (≤ 0.22° ± 0.18°C [0.40° ± 0.32°F] for all comparisons). The degree of short-term reproducibility was high. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Thermographically determined temperatures were unaffected by 20° changes in camera angle or a 0.5-m increase in camera distance from the forelimb. Minor temperature differences between left and right forelimbs were detected in the study and should be considered during diagnostic investigations.