Comparison of body temperature using digital, infrared, and tympanic thermometry in healthy ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative precision and accuracy of multiple methods of thermometry used to assess body temperature in healthy adult ferrets. MethodsTemperature was measured in 20 healthy ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) using noncontact infrared thermometry, digital thermometry in the rectal, inguinal, and axillary regions, and infrared contact-based thermometer in the ear (tympanic) and on the skin of the dorsal back between the shoulder blades. Temperatures were taken pre- and posthandling, evaluated across the set of ferrets for general precision and effect of handling, and compared to assess accuracy. Intraclass correlation analysis and Bland-Altman agreement analyses with rectal temperature being used as reference were conducted. ResultsSample time (before and after physical examination) and day (day #1 and day #2), were found to not to be significantly different with respect to temperature measurements (P > 0.05). Reproducibility was not high for any of the temperature measurement methods, but was moderate for rectal and tympanic ear measures. The lowest mean difference with rectal temperature was found for tympanic thermometry on the dorsal skin when compared with rectal measurement (+0.05° C), as opposed to the other four methods of temperature measurement which ranged in their mean differences when compared with rectal measurement (−7.4 to −0.58° C). Agreement analyses showed constant error and proportional error only for the inguinal temperature method. Conclusions and clinical relevanceTemperature measurements due to tympanic thermometers applied on the dorsal skin have some agreement with respect to digital rectal thermometry in ferrets. Following further validating studies on hypothermic and hyperthermic contexts of usage, this less invasive approach may be a useful method for temperature measurement in clinical settings to reduce stress of the patient and increase efficiency without sacrificing accuracy.