European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

APPLICATIONS OF INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY IN VETERINARY SURGERY: REVIEW ARTICLE

N. R. Padaliya*, S. H. Talekar, D.T. Fefar, A. A. Vagh, J. V. Vadaliya and R. H. Bhatt

ABSTRACT

This review article describes the application and use of Infrared Thermography (IRT) in the field of veterinary surgery. Infrared Thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive, non harmful and non-contact heat detecting camera for diagnosis in clinical conditions. An infrared camera measures the emitted infrared radiation from an object and then uses this information to create images of objects or body parts. These thermograms are evaluated by a specially analyzing software program. Changes in vascular circulation resulted to an increase or decrease in tissue temperature, which is measured by this camera to evaluate the situation in that area. But some limitations and factors that must be considered before using IRT (sunlight, moisture, dirt, weather conditions etc). IRT has been mainly used in veterinary surgery, primarily for diagnostic purposes, especially in the diagnosis of various musculoskeletal disorders and tumors like conditions in animals. IRT helpful for early detection of various affections like myositis, tumour, arthritis and various conditions in which local area become warmer than normal body parts of animals. Periodic routine thermographic evaluation of cattle, buffalo, dog and horses could be helpful for early diagnosis of disease, design treatment and training protocol for animals. Needs to explore in larger clinical studies are required to demonstrate and practical utility of this technique with its interpretation. This technique can’t replace other diagnostic technique or procedures; furthermore, it is unable to provide information about the origin or cause of the disease. In this perspective, sometime thermography alone is not helpful for the formulation of an appropriate therapy.

Keywords: IRT, Equine, Cattle, Canine, Hot spot, Thermogram, Image.