See the Unseen
Companion Animal Thermal Imaging
Companion animals are not able to show or tell us where their problems are. Digatherm®’s thermal imaging system solves that problem by letting us see the unseen and listen to what patients cannot tell us.
Small Animal Thermography
Veterinarians utilize companion animal thermal imaging to see the unseen. First, a clinician must understand normal physiology in order to compare it to their patient’s current state.
Normal blood flow in cats and dogs results in symmetrical surface temperatures on both sides. Unhealthy patients can become non-symmetrical. At the same time, tissue changes can result in abnormal blood flow and non-symmetrical surface temperatures. Unexpected warmer or cooler areas, or asymmetry within the patient, distinguishes physiological change. Contralateral differences in temperature are also significant.
Increased temperatures (hyperthermia) are a direct result of increased blood flow. This may be due to inflammation, infection, or malignancy. Decreased temperatures (hypothermia) are a result of decreased blood flow. This is usually due to a neurological condition resulting in vasoconstriction. It is occasionally due to infarction or atrophy.
While thermal imaging cameras measure body surface temperatures, veterinary-specific software converts the temperatures into images. These thermal images use colors to represent the patient’s body surface temperatures. This provides a physiological map of the patient and in turn allows veterinarians to see the unseen.
Medical-grade accuracy
The pioneer in veterinary thermography
Appropriate for every type of veterinary practice
Comprehensive and individualized training
How do companion animal veterinarians use Digatherm®?
Three Ways
Leverage a thermal imaging camera for these three veterinary uses.
Evaluate Healthy Patients to Find the Unhealthy
Evaluate Unhealthy Patients
Monitor for Action and Reaction
Communicate Better with Thermal Imaging
Digatherm® is a dream diagnostic tool in today’s technology-focused world. Pet owners understand and are comfortable using technology with their pets. They love the idea that the veterinarian can look closer and see the unseen. The bright, colorful images help pet owners visualize concerns and create a clear picture of any diagnostic plan. Pet owners want to educate themselves. Information builds trust and compliance.
“It has helped me be a better diagnostician by finding not only the areas of pain that are obvious,
but also the areas that are referred pain or secondary.”
– Keri Garcia DVM, MRCVS
What can you see?
Below are several case examples of veterinary thermography for companion animals.
Presentation: Asymmetrical Hyperthermia Over the Dorsal Epaxial Muscles
Interpretation: This 9-year old Pitbull had bilateral cranial cruciate ligament tears. The area of asymmetrical hyperthermia over the dorsal expaxial muscles defines an area of compensatory inflammation in those muscles.
Credit: Erin Shepherd, RVT, On a Roll House Calls (Lawrenceburg, Indiana)
Presentation: Focal Hyperthermia Ventral Neck
Interpretation: This young adult domestic shorthair has a focal area of hyperthermia on the ventral aspect of the neck. A thyroid profile confirmed hyperthyroidism.
Credit: Kim Hunter, DVM, Vet to Pet Mobile Services (Smithers, British Columbia)
Presentation: Asymmetrical Hypothermic Dermatome Pattern
Interpretation: This ~3-5 year old American Bulldog/Pitbull Terrier has a focal area of hypothermia over the right carpus. This dermatome is innervated by the lateral branch of the superficial radial nerve which originates from the posterior cervical spinal segments. The image indicates the need for an in-depth neurological examination and further diagnostic imaging of the cervical spine.
Credit: Stephanie Schlachter, DVM, West-MEC (Glendale, Arizona)
Presentation: Focal Hypothermia Lateral Thorax
Interpretation: This 6-year old Greyhound has a discrete focal area of hypothermia over the right lateral thorax that corresponds to a benign skin mass. Benign masses often have reduced vascularity and are hypothermic. Malignant masses often have increased vascularity and are hyperthermic.
Credit: Lauren Bueter, BS, RVT, Middlebury Animal Clinic (Middlebury, IN)
Presentation: Orthostatic Stance Analysis
Interpretation: This image of thermal paw-prints of a canine patient shows significantly higher thermal intensity of the fore paw prints with higher intensity on the left side giving a qualitative evaluation of weight bearing. The image suggests off loading of the rear legs and right side.
Credit: Stephanie Schlachter, DVM, West-MEC (Glendale, Arizona)
Presentation: Reduced Hyperthermia after Photobiomodulation Therapy
Interpretation: This first image of the back of a geriatric Boxer show hyperthermia over the dorsal thorax associated with compensation secondary to forelimb lameness. A similar image after three weeks of photobiomodulation therapy shows response to therapy with reduced hyperthermia and inflammation.
Credit: Mariah Richard, CVT, Barnesville Animal Clinic (Barnesville, Minnesota)
Digatherm® Thermal Imaging Systems
Learn more about Digatherm by ICI’s veterinary tools and technology.
IR Pad 640
IR Pad 320
Request a demonstration.
Discover the Digatherm by ICI difference and learn more about the most innovative and accurate thermal imagers available. Fill out the form below to request a demonstration of our state-of-the-art thermal camera.
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