Evaluation of a thermal camera in measuring surface temperature in horses.
Authors: Ribeiro R M, Oliveira T O, Ribeiro D S F
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Thermal imaging cameras offer farriers, veterinarians and physiotherapists a non-invasive means of detecting inflammation and early disease signs through surface temperature monitoring, yet their reliability relative to established methods remained unclear. Ribeiro and colleagues compared thermal camera readings with infrared thermometer measurements across 60 healthy horses (mean age 7.88 years, mean weight 466 kg), taking synchronized measurements at three anatomically distinct sites—neck, thorax, and coronary band—during standardized morning conditions. Correlation strength varied significantly by location: the coronary band demonstrated strong agreement (r = 0.81), whilst neck and thorax measurements showed only moderate correlation (r = 0.53 and r = 0.67 respectively), with Bland-Altman analysis revealing substantial limits of agreement and a systematic tendency for the thermal camera to overestimate temperature, particularly at the neck. Despite these measurement discrepancies, the moderate-to-strong correlations suggest thermal cameras retain clinical utility for monitoring relative temperature changes and detecting localised thermal anomalies—provided users acknowledge the need for careful instrument calibration and recognise that absolute temperature values may be less reliable than trending data over time. Practitioners considering thermal imaging adoption should view these devices as adjuncts for identifying problematic regions warranting closer investigation rather than standalone diagnostic tools, whilst standardising environmental conditions and camera settings to improve consistency.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Thermal cameras can be useful for monitoring thermal trends and identifying areas of localized inflammation in horses, but should not be used interchangeably with infrared thermometers without calibration
- •Coronary band measurements are most reliable with thermal camera technology; neck and thorax readings require greater caution and comparison with other diagnostic methods
- •Thermal imaging is non-invasive and practical for field use in early disease detection, but systematic calibration against infrared standards is essential for consistent monitoring
Key Findings
- •Strong correlation between thermal camera and infrared thermometer at coronary band (r = 0.81), but only moderate correlations at neck (r = 0.53) and thorax (r = 0.67)
- •Bland-Altman analysis revealed wide limits of agreement and systematic bias, with thermal camera consistently recording higher temperatures than infrared thermometer
- •Despite agreement limitations, moderate to strong correlations suggest thermal camera has potential for tracking thermal trends and detecting localized temperature variations with proper calibration