Recently we reported on the application of thermal imaging in equestrian sports and for Olympic horses.
However, horses are not the only animals that can benefit from thermal imaging. Infrared cameras have recently been used to diagnose heath problems in small animals too.
This makes the possibilities for thermal imaging much wider and also allows the use of thermal cameras to become a much more mainstream way of diagnosing problems.
In all organic bodies, changes in organic activity means changes in the production of heat emitted from certain parts of a body. However, through the use of a thermal camera, it is possible to identify what these heat changes mean.
The types of problems it is possible to identify includes; inflammations, bruises, muscle or tendon injuries, superficial tumours, nerve damage and blood circulation issues.
Infrared cameras are ideal for identifying any pain issues animals may be experiencing, as most will attempt to hide their weakness and will only show pain once it is unbearable.
The use of thermal imaging to identify osteoarthritis in elderly cats is being looked into as a possible way to identify the problem as, at present, this is very difficult to discover due to cats being better than most other animals at hiding pain.
To use a thermal camera for applications such as those highlighted here, it is important to ensure that you have the correct one for the job. The Flir B425 or equivalent is ideal and you should also ensure that you purchase a camera with a resolution of at least 320 x 240 pixels and a sensitivity of less than 50mK.
Written by Sara Thomson
