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Blogs > Veterinary Thermal Imaging

Veterinary Thermal Imaging:  A Revolutionary Diagnostic Tool for Proactive Medicine

In the fast-paced world of veterinary medicine, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for providing the best possible care for our animal companions. One such advancement that has revolutionised the field is Veterinary Thermal Imaging. This innovative technology allows veterinary professionals to assess and diagnose conditions by capturing and analysing the electromagnetic energy emitted by patients. In this article, we will explore in-depth what Veterinary Thermal Imaging is, how it works, and the numerous benefits it offers to veterinary practices and their patients.


What is Veterinary Thermal Imaging?

Veterinary Thermal Imaging involves the use of specialised cameras ( Thermal Imaging Tablet & Camera - IR 640) to capture thermal images of animals. These images provide valuable insights into the physiological health of the patient by visualising areas of thermal asymmetry.

Thermal energy, emitted constantly by animals, varies depending on factors such as anatomical location, vascular supply, and neurological state. By detecting thermal asymmetry, veterinarians can identify areas that require further investigation and diagnostics.

How Does Veterinary Thermal Imaging Work?

Collection

Capturing thermal images is as simple as taking a picture. Multi Radiance Medical's  Thermal Imaging Tablet and Camera is specifically designed for veterinary use, providing high-resolution images of a patient's physiological state in real-time. Cameras are medically calibrated to ensure accurate and reliable results.



Compilation and Analysis

Medically calibrated veterinary-specific software compiles the radiated temperature data collected from the thermal images. This data is then converted into an electrical impulse, producing a detailed thermogram, which visually represents the patient's physiological state. This thermogram is an easy-to-interpret illustration of any thermal asymmetry in the patient's body, serving as an indication of potential issues that deserve further investigation.

What is Veterinary Thermal Imaging Used For?

Veterinary Thermal Imaging is a versatile diagnostic tool that finds applications in various areas of veterinary practice. From wellness screenings to injury prevention in athletes and geriatric quality of life assessments, thermal imaging provides valuable insights into an animal's health.

Wellness Screenings: Thermal screenings have become an integral part of wellness exams. On average, 14.2% of wellness exams utilising thermography reveal abnormalities that would typically go unnoticed through physical examination alone. This makes thermal imaging an essential tool for proactive medicine. By incorporating thermal screenings into wellness exams, veterinarians can identify early signs of underlying conditions and intervene before they progress.

Quantitative Evaluation of Patient Progress: Thermal imaging provides highly accurate and quantitative means of assessing the progress of patients undergoing treatment or rehabilitation. By comparing thermal images taken at different time points, veterinarians can monitor changes in thermal patterns and identify any areas of concern. This helps in evaluating the effectiveness of the chosen therapeutic plan and making adjustments if necessary.

Injury Prevention in Athletes: Canine and equine athletes are prone to injuries due to the physical demands placed on them. Thermal imaging can help identify early signs of musculoskeletal stress, inflammation, or injuries, enabling veterinarians to intervene promptly and prevent further damage. By proactively addressing these issues, veterinarians can optimise the performance and well-being of athletic animals.

Geriatric Quality of Life Assessments: Older animals often suffer from age-related conditions such as arthritis and chronic pain. Thermal imaging can aid in assessing the quality of life of geriatric patients by identifying areas of thermal asymmetry associated with pain and inflammation. By identifying these areas, veterinarians can implement appropriate pain management strategies and improve the comfort and well-being of senior pets.

Lameness Examinations: Lameness is a common issue in animals and can have various underlying causes. Thermal imaging can assist in identifying the source of lameness by visualising temperature variations in affected limbs or joints. These variations can indicate areas of inflammation or injury, aiding in accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment. By precisely identifying the cause of lameness, veterinarians can develop effective treatment plans and improve the mobility and comfort of affected animals.

Client Communication: Thermal images provide a powerful visual aid that enhances communication with pet owners. By showing them the areas of concern in their pet's thermal images, veterinarians can effectively convey the need for further diagnostics or treatment. This visual representation helps pet owners understand the severity of the condition and the importance of taking appropriate action. Monitoring the patient on every visit provides client education, which leads to increased client compliance with prescribed plans of care, ultimately improving patient outcomes. 

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Thermal Imaging Tablet & Camera - IR 640

  • Unmatched Image Quality: Equipped with a 640 x 512 high resolution detector, this system captures thermal images with exceptional clarity, ensuring no detail goes unnoticed.
  • Highly Accurate: Thermal imaging can go down to 0.2 degrees, which is much more precise than human touch, which can only tell down to 4 degrees.
  • Custom Calibration for Veterinary Applications: Tailored specifically for veterinarian use, the IR 640 provides accurate and reliable thermal imaging results, supporting both preventative and ongoing treatment of animals and pets.
  • Comprehensive Veterinary Support: By combining thermal imaging technology with a user-friendly tablet interface, this system provides veterinarians with a comprehensive solution for diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment evaluation.

Advantages of Using Veterinary Thermal Imaging in Practice

Early Detection of Disorders: One of the significant advantages of veterinary thermal imaging is its ability to facilitate early detection of disorders. By visualising thermal asymmetry, veterinarians can identify areas of concern that may require further evaluation. This early detection allows for timely intervention and treatment, potentially preventing the progression of diseases and improving patient outcomes.

Objective Monitoring of Therapeutic Plans: Thermal imaging provides veterinarians with an objective means of monitoring the response to therapeutic plans. By comparing thermal images taken before and during treatment, veterinarians can assess changes in thermal patterns and evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen treatment approach. This objective monitoring helps in making informed decisions regarding the continuation or modification of the therapeutic plan.

Reinforcement of Findings to Clients: The visual nature of thermal images reinforces the findings to pet owners, helping them understand the severity of the condition or the need for further investigation. When clients can see the areas of concern in their pet's thermal images, it enhances their understanding and acceptance of the veterinarian's recommendations. This reinforcement of findings improves client education and engagement, leading to increased compliance with suggested regimes of treatment.

Time and Cost Savings: Investing in thermal imaging technology can lead to significant time and cost savings in the long run. By detecting conditions early, veterinarians can initiate treatment promptly, potentially reducing the need for more invasive or expensive procedures later on. Additionally, thermal imaging can save time on unnecessary diagnostics if not needed. This improved efficiency saves valuable time and resources for veterinary practices.

Adding a Thermal Imaging Camera to Your Practice

Veterinary Thermal Imaging has emerged as a valuable diagnostic tool, enabling veterinary professionals to proactively detect and treat conditions in their patients. By providing visual insights into a patient's physiological health, thermal imaging improves client communication, reinforces findings, and aids in monitoring treatment progress.

Investing in thermal imaging technology allows veterinary practices to deliver higher standards of care, leading to improved outcomes for their patients and increased client satisfaction. With its numerous advantages, Veterinary Thermal Imaging has become an indispensable asset in modern veterinary medicine. Embracing this technology empowers veterinary professionals to practice proactive medicine and provide the best possible care for their patients.

Practices who implement thermal screening into their standard wellness and exam protocols report increased compliance with prescribed plans of care:

  • Leads to an increase X-Ray/MRI by up to 30% - extra income for practice
  • 66% increase in digital x-ray revenue
  • 53% increase in ultrasound revenue
  • 32% more nutraceutical, medication, and dietary food revenue
  • 62% increase in laser therapy revenue

Speak To Us About Thermal Imaging Today 


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