Abstract
Background: The study of normal temperature distribution for the diagnosis of hoof disease in horses using Infrared Thermography (IRT) is rare, therefore, the normal temperature distribution is to be investigated. In this study, we investigated the possible use of IRT in the diagnosis of hoof disease in horses. Methods: A total of 66 horses (56 healthy horses and 10 horses with hoof abscess) were used in this study. Veterinarians and farriers performed physical examinations, such as lameness examination, palpation, hoof test, and radiography, on all horses. IRT was performed in standard conditions. The plantar of the hoof was lifted upward by the owner, and the distance of the thermal camera between the plantar of the hoof was 0.3 - 0.5 m. For evaluation, the heat pattern of the plantar of the hoof was divided into seven regions of interest (ROIs), and statistical analysis was performed. Results: On performing IRT, the temperature of healthy hooves and hooves with hoof abscess was found to be 25.77 °C ± 3.87 °C (mean ± SD) and 31.94 °C ± 2.60 °C, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean temperature of ROIs in hooves with abscesses was 6.17 °C higher than that of healthy hooves. Sole regions were found to be especially prominent. Additionally, all ROIs of hooves with hoof abscess classified IRT with high sensitivity (74.3%) and specificity (87.5%). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the usefulness of IRT in diagnosing hoof with abscess. Moreover, this study suggests that IRT may be useful as a new temperature measurement analysis system in terms of determining differences in the heat distribution of the hoof.
Highlights
The hoof complex comprises the hoof capsule, sole, frog, digital cushion, ungual cartilages, and the deep digital flexor tendon [1, 2]
The study of normal temperature distribution for the diagnosis of hoof disease of horses using Infrared Thermography (IRT) is rare we aimed to investigate whether IRT could aid in the diagnosis of hoof disease in horses; we aimed to propose a new temperature measurement analysis system in terms of detecting differences in the heat distribution of the hoof
Radiography was carried out according to the general standards, and thermography was performed according to the methods described by Soroko and Howell [13], and Yang et al [14]
Summary
The hoof complex comprises the hoof capsule, sole, frog, digital cushion, ungual cartilages, and the deep digital flexor tendon [1, 2] These biological structures are susceptible to trauma and various disease processes, including infections (hoof abscesses, puncture wounds, and keratomas), white line disease, and canker. These diseases generally originate in the foot’s ground surface, penetrate the hoof capsule, and extend toward/into the foot’s dermal structure [1]. The soles of horses that exercise a lot on stony ground are often wounded by sharp pebbles Such wounds may suddenly result in severe (acute) lameness. We investigated the possible use of IRT in the diagnosis of hoof disease in horses
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