Infrared Thermography Imaging

EquineIR in Australia – “The IRT Camera Sees what the Horse can’t Say”

Dianne’s partner Sam is an ITC qualified Level 1 Thermographer and has been trained and certified in the US by EquineIR a subsiduary company of United Infrared; see:www.equineir.com and www.unitedinfrared.com

JENT uses the latest FLIR T400 Series Thermal camera; see: www.flir.com/

We take advantage of InfraRed Thermography (IRT) technology by offering a full scan of your horse prior to, during and after treatment to detect anomalies in your horse’s unique infrared signature to confirm our JENT analysis and/or to refer through for Veterinary intervention. These ‘heat’ anomalies (when interpreted accurately by a Veterinary specialist) are highly correlated with either infection or inflammation and pain, which shows up just before serious injury or with abnormal function.

 

Very Affordable Preventative Diagnostic Scan – Protecting your Investment

IRT is brilliant for the early detection and monitoring of hard to detect pain and inflammation. EquineIR can periodically scan for whole body baseline images to screen for early cellular changes before systemic inflammation and injury sets in. Seeing visual evidence of inflammation in early disease / injury states is very convincing – highlighting the importance of preventative intervention.

Cost is $200 for the EquineIR scan and full colour electronic report and $150 for the InterpretIR independent Veterinary report = Total $350AUD. Note: price is negotiated and reduced for additional scans within the same stable complex but does not include travel cost which is individually determined by time and distance.

See: Scan Modality Comparison Chart.

 

What do you Get?

• See heat & cold issues clearly with a high colour images in a professional report
• Target the whole body and then zero in on the right spot
• See compensatory ‘hot-spots’
• Troubleshoot quickly before problems arise
• Gives you diagnostic direction
• Not just for unseen sub-clinical lameness but to get a baseline
• Stay safer and more aware
• Be more confident going into high performance competition
• Use the report as a ‘benchmark’ for future comparison

It is important to note that this technology only records surface images of physiological hot and cold spots (as in the case of nerve damage).

There is no radiation (can use as often as you like), involves no contact, is silent, done at a distance, is pain-free and very convenient.

Extensive research has established the body’s normal heat distribution. Infrared technology reveals asymmetries and variations in these normal patterns, identifying the cause of existing or potential problems. To date, over 83,000 studies have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals, validating infrared as a clinical marker / diagnostic aid.

 

Thermographic Images are used to Support:

1. Baseline soundness checks.
2. Pre-purchase vetting.
3. Insurance vetting.
4. Saddle fitting.
5. Shoeing and hoof balance.
6. Pre-Post competition / performance vetting.
7. Diagnosis to determine treatment plans or corrective remedial measures that the Vet and/or JENT practitioner will suggest.
8. Manage and asses healing and recovery progressions.
9. When to go safely back into work after remedial recovery time off.

In JENT we also use them to confirm our evaluation or to find ‘hidden’ or hard to find primary cause factors.

A Thermographic Scan is most useful as a fully mobile, fast, affordable, preventative soundness check that also sets a baseline for all future veterinary and therapeutic interventions against which all future ‘hot-spots’ can be seen and measured.

“Sub-clinical lameness and its consequent inflammation can be detected by accurate IRT scans up to two weeks before the damage can be detected by clinical means. This makes IRT scans an easy, cheap protective measure prior to and after competition” Joanna Robson DVM.

Creating a series of images during the recovery process can also be used to monitor incremental healing and most importantly to determine exactly when it is safe to go back in to work.

“Thermal imaging shows physiological changes such as increased or decreased circulation, acute arousal, lack of, or diminished nerve function as well as inflammation and swelling,” InfraMation 2009-04 Proceedings – Hopkins.

 

Infrared Thermography is defined as:

“The science of acquisition and analysis of thermal information from non-contact thermal imaging devices.” Thermography Course Manual ITC.

In equestrian sports like horse racing, show-jumping, dressage and polo, the horse is at least as much the athlete as the rider. Perhaps even more so, for the horse is the one that mostly takes care of the physical exertion. Just like any other athlete, horses can get injured, but thermal cameras help to keep the horses healthy and ready to perform at the peak of ability. If you like it gives them a voice to help us detect pain and inflammation.

 

What are we looking for?

Your horse should be thermally symmetrical. The thermal ‘heat-signature’ map should be the same on both sides. If not, there may be an abnormality that shows up as a graphical representation of the heat differences that is very easy to see in the high colour ‘rainbow-palette’ report. We are looking for the previously ‘invisible’ heat anomalies that may indicate inflammation.

 

Imaging Instructions for Owners

Horse Breeds and Types

InterpretIR – Veterinary Report

A FLIR Tools+ report is generated and is then made available to the client or then uploaded to www.interpretIR.com for professional independent specialist veterinary interpretation that generates a Vet Report.

The cost for the scan and generation of the FLIR Report is $200 and for the Veterinary Interpretation $150 = $350 depending on time and scan complexity.

This leaves the client with a very useful ‘snapshot in time’, as a benchmark against which all future changes in the horse can be measured.

Extend your Knowledge

Seeing ‘Red’ – Article

The equine industry takes great pride in its animal welfare. Through the use of infrared thermography, injury detection leaps into the 21st century.

 

Equine Wellness with IR Thermography – Article

Equine thermography is gaining attention from equine professionals and riders alike – could it help your horse?

 

The Odd Couple – The Professor and the Thermographer – Paper

By Pollit & West, Thermal Inspection Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Equine Laminitis is the 2nd largest killer of horses behind Colic. Researchers from around the world have done many experiments in an effort to understand the effects of this crippling disease. In an attempt to show how the horse’s feet are affected by Laminitis we conducted a 48-hour experiment with Professor Christopher C. Pollitt BVSc (Massey) PhD (Qld). Professor Pollitt is the director of the Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit (AELRU) and has written and travelled extensively on the subject of horse hooves. In 2003 he received the Pfizer Scientific award for his work. The images taken during this experiment were put together in a time lapse presentation by Professor Pollitt from the University of Queensland. These thermal images have enabled the Professor to visually show the temperature changes to the hoof during the first 48 hours of a horse with Laminitis. The images also have been used during speaking engagements by Professor Pollitt around the world.

 

Thermal Imaging for Dressage Horses: What you can’t see, does hurt! – Paper

By Joanna Robson, DVM, CVMST, CVA, CSFT, CIT Inspiritus Equine, Inc., see: www.inspiritusequine.com

The health of our dressage sport horses is completely dependent on the quality of our preventative care, and the diagnostic modalities available when an injury occurs.  As veterinarians, we rely on our hands for palpation, our experience to identify patterns, and our tools — from nerve blocks to MRI — to identify problems.  But not everyone can afford the “do whatever it takes” approach, and there are certain risks associated with traditional modalities, such as x-ray radiation, and general anaesthesia complications.  Thermal imaging provides a safe, fast, and physiologic screening tool that can localize lesions, be used as preventative maintenance, aid in saddle-fitting, and provide additional information at pre-purchase examinations and horse sales.

 

Back to Reality: Infrared Thermography (IRt) as an objectifier of equine back pain and saddle-fitting problems – Paper

By Joanna Robson, DVM, CVMST, CVA, CSFT, CIT Inspiritus Equine, Inc., see: www.inspiritusequine.com

Infrared Thermography (IRt) has many uses in the equine industry.  In biological systems the detection of surface heat is directly correlated with changes in circulation, thus providing evidence of inflammation or decreased perfusion.  Currently, the diagnosis of equine back pain is largely subjective, reliant on the veterinarian’s ability to palpate using his or her hands, and on the trainer’s or rider’s knowledge of how training and behavioural problems may relate to equine back pathology and saddle-fitting problems.  Modalities such as radiographs or ultrasound provide anatomic evidence of pathogenic changes, but require specialized machines, are limited by location, and are not generally feasible in-field for spinal evaluation.  Thermal imaging provides a safe, quick, objective image of equine back inflammation, and is a useful tool in saddle-fitting evaluations. The use of IRt in the equine industry provides objective evidence of equine pain that can help the human handlers to better understand their horses, and subsequently effect positive changes that promote maximum equine performance and longevity.

 

Coat of Many Colours – Cases in Equine Thermal Imaging – Paper

By Joanna Robson, DVM, CVMST, CVA, CSFT, CIT Inspiritus Equine, Inc., see: www.inspiritusequine.com

Thermal imaging in the equine industry has been utilized for over 40 years. However, the technology has only recently gained the recognition it deserves. Infrared cameras have improved, procedures have been standardized, and veterinarians have become familiar with interpretation of the images. Thermal imaging is finding a niche in diagnosing mystery lamenesses, scanning horses at pre-purchase evaluations, aiding farriers with hoof pathology and imbalances, addressing saddle-fitting problems, and providing both baselines and serial documentation of equine health and lameness. A case-based approach to the technology provides evidence of its vast uses and tremendous sensitivity in equine medicine.

 

Mammals Communicate, Infrared Listens  Utilizing Infrared Imaging for Injury Identification – Article

By Peter Hopkins, Level II Thermographer, United Infrared and Dean R. Bader-DVM, Equine Thermal Imaging Institute.

Mammals communicate in a variety of ways.  For humans it is in the form of speech.  Infants might cry and dogs may yelp or limp to express their pain.  When there is a language barrier or no speech at all, how would one communicate pain to a caretaker?  Some species, specifically the prey mammals such as the horse, have proven that they mask their pain as a survival technique.  This is a perfect example of how Infrared Imaging is an excellent method to be used in the identifying of injuries in many mammals.  It is our intent that with this paper we are able to share the many applications we have successfully completed with the use of infrared and in doing so have helped Animal Managers, Zookeepers, Veterinarians and concerned owners to better understand and care for their animals.

 

You Tube Video

Infrared Thermography of Horses – 37 Video Playlist

 

The Clinical Applications of Digital Thermal Imaging

Dr Dorothy Merritt, from the American College of Clinical Thermography discusses how thermography is a tool used for early diagnosis of many hidden medical conditions – compelling viewing.