Digital Rectal Thermometer Research Articles

A noninvasive method of temperature measurement using a noncontact handheld infrared thermometer fails to correlate with rectal temperature in dogs and cats.

To perform a retrospective, multicenter observational study that compares the agreement of rectal temperature with the temperature measured with noncontact infrared thermometer (NCIT) in a population of dogs and cats. 168 dogs and 61 cats. NCIT readings were taken in triplicate from the medial pinna, then rectal temperature was taken with a standard digital rectal thermometer (RT). Ambient room temperature, signalment, presence of icterus, skin and coat color, reason for presentation, and final diagnosis were recorded. In dogs, median (range) body temperature reflected by RT and NCIT measurements was 38.4 °C (33.4 to 40.3 °C) and 36.3 °C (30.8 to 40.0 °C), respectively. In cats, median (range) body temperature reflected by RT and NCIT measurements was 38.3 °C (36.2 to 40.0 °C) and 35.7 °C (31.8 to 38.0 °C), respectively. There was a weak positive correlation between body temperatures measured by NCIT and RT in dogs (Kendall tau = 0.154), but there was no correlation in cats (Kendall tau = -0.01). A significant, albeit weak, agreement was seen between temperature measured by NCIT and RT in dogs (Kappa value, 0.05), but not cats (Kappa value, -0.08). In both species, NCIT tended to underread body temperature, compared with RT (dogs: mean ± SD bias -2.2 ± 1.51 °C; cats: mean bias -2.7 ± 1.44 °C), with the degree of low measurements lessening as body temperature increased. Given both poor correlation and agreement in body temperature measured by NCIT and rectal thermometer, NCIT measurements cannot be recommended at the current time as a means to determine body temperature in dogs and cats.

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS IN CATS USING DIGITAL, MERCURY AND TYMPANIC INFRARED THERMOMETERS

With a view to reducing stress and discomfort and improving the practicality of making temperature measurements on cats, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a tympanic infrared thermometer (TIT), which is an easy-to-use device for measuring temperatures quickly, comfortably and more hygienically. For this, were selected 120 domestic cats living in Sousa, Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Among them, 100 were normothermic, ten were hypothermic and ten were hyperthermic. None of them had any clinical signs of external or internal otitis. The measurements using the digital thermometer were higher than those using the TIT ( P < 0.05), in the normothermic and hyperthermic cats. In the hypothermic cats, there was no difference ( P ≥ 0.05) in mean values from the three types of thermometer. The values obtained using the mercury thermometer did not differ ( P ≥ 0.05) from the values obtained using the other thermometers. There was a strong positive correlation in almost all the evaluations between the three thermometers, except for digital versus TIT for hyperthermic cats (r < 0.75). Because of the discrepancy between the values obtained by the TIT and the digital rectal thermometer, we suggest that further studies should be carried out in order to establish a temperature correction table for the TIT, so that it can be better used in veterinary medicine.

COMPARISON BETWEEN RECTAL AND BODY SURFACE TEMPERATURES OBTAINED BY DIGITAL AND NON-CONTACT INFRARED THERMOMETER IN SOME LARGE ANIMAL SPECIES

This study was carried out to compare the digital rectal (DR) thermometer with non-contact infrared thermometer (IRT) measurements at two locations on the face in some large animal species. Two hundred and forty (240) animals comprising of equal numbers of three species (cattle, camel and horses) of varying age and either sex was used. The IR temperature was taken from two sites [frontal (FIRT) and temporal (TIRT) region] on the animal face. The mean IR temperatures (FIRT and TIRT) were higher than the RT in all the animal species. The two thermometers correlate poorly in all the animal species. Bland-Altman analysis showed high biases and limits of agreement not acceptable for clinical purposes. In conclusion, IRT seems to offer a quick and easy way to determine the animal temperature but clinically it cannot be used interchangeably with DR thermometer at the moment for body temperature measurement in these animal species.

COMPARISON OF BODY TEMPERATURE ACQUIRED VIA AURICULAR AND RECTAL METHODS IN FERRETS

Measuring body temperature in ferrets with rectal thermometers is often very stressful and potentially painful as it can damage the rectal mucosa. Recently, the veterinarians have used infrared ear thermometers since they record the temperature in a shorter time and are less invasive than the rectal equipment. This study compared several thermometers; two pediatric ear thermometers, a veterinary ear thermometer, a digital rectal thermometer, and a mercury-in-glass thermometer as a gold standard test for the body temperature of healthy ferrets (n = 27). The recording of auricular temperature in three study groups had a variation of approximately −1 °C compared to the one taken with rectal thermometers. According to this study, the measurement of temperature registered with auricular thermometers is not a precise method to obtain the body temperature and therefore does not replace the value obtained with rectal thermometers. They may not be used interchangeably in clinical practice. Nevertheless, because there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the values obtained with auricular thermometers, the recordings can be considered as accurate reference for auricular temperature in healthy ferrets.

Effect of conditioning on exercise-induced hyperthermia and post-exercise cooling in dogs

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of conditioning and hypoxia on rectal and gastrointestinal temperature changes in dogs exercising at cold ambient temperature. Six Alaskan Husky sled dogs, each in a physically conditioned and unconditioned state, were used in the prospective study. Dogs in peak physical condition were run untethered on a treadmill under normoxic and hypoxic conditions of 20 and 12.5% environmental oxygen concentration, respectively, on separate days. After undergoing a deconditioning period of four months, the same dogs were run again under the same environmental conditions of 20 and 12.5% O2. Body temperature measurements were obtained via digital rectal thermometer and ingestible gastrointestinal thermistor at baseline, every 5 min for 30 min of exercise, and for 15 min following cessation of exercise. Under hypoxic conditions, peak gastrointestinal temperature was lower in conditioned vs unconditioned dogs. Gastrointestinal cooling was faster in conditioned dogs under normoxic conditions only. There was no difference in the peak rectal temperature, or rate of rectal temperature cooling in either normoxic or hypoxic conditions. 3 of 6 (50%) of the conditioned dogs reached a plateau temperature after approximately 20 to 25 min. This was observed less frequently when the dogs were unconditioned. Gastrointestinal and rectal temperatures reacted differently to exercise depending on conditioning or environmental oxygen concentration and this suggests that they cannot be used interchangeably to assess body temperature. Under these conditions, conditioning had no effect on rectal temperature. Presence of a plateau effect of rectal or gastrointestinal temperature may demonstrate a thermoregulatory balance of heat production and heat loss and may be a helpful measure in assessing individual dogs’ level of conditioning with regard to resistance to thermal stress.

In vitro and In vivo Effects of Phase 1 Hydroxylated Metabolites of the Synthetic Cannabinoid AB‐PINACA [(S)‐N‐(1‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐1‐pentyl‐1H‐indazole‐3‐carboxamide

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) in abused K2/Spice products exhibit greater toxicity than marijuana. Many SCBs, but not the major psychoactive constituent in marijuana Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), undergo biotransformation to several active metabolites that may contribute to enhanced adverse effects. AB‐PINACA [(S)‐N‐(1‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐1‐pentyl‐1H‐indazole‐3‐carboxamide] is a novel illicit SCB for which no information concerning activity of known metabolites has been reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if the reported major metabolites of AB‐PINICA (4OH‐ and 5OH‐AB‐PINACA) retain cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor affinity and/or activity in both in vitro and in vivo assays.CHO cells stably expressing human CB1 receptors (CHO‐hCB1) were used for in vitro studies. Receptor affinity was determined by competition receptor binding, and functional activity was assessed by measuring G‐protein activation and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity. For in vivo studies, mice were injected (i.p.) with 4OH‐AB‐PINACA at either 30 or 100 mg/kg and examined for effects in the cannabinoid tetrad at 10‐, 30‐, 60‐, 120‐, 180‐, 240‐, and 360‐minutes post injection. Hypothermic effects were assessed by digital rectal thermometer, antinociception via tail immersion in a 50°C water bath, and cataleptic effects via time spent with forepaws on the catalepsy bar. Locomotor activity was also evaluated at either the 30‐ or 60‐minute time points (100 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg doses, respectively) in the open field test using quadrant crossings as a measure of total activity.AB‐PINACA (Ki=4.0 nM) and both major phase I metabolites, 4OH‐AB‐PINACA (Ki=159 nM) and 5OH‐AB‐PINACA (Ki=452 nM), bind to hCB1 receptors with nanomolar affinity. In G‐protein activation assays, AB‐PINACA (ED50=9.1 nM) and metabolites 4OH‐AB‐PINACA (ED50=642 nM) and 5OH‐AB‐PINACA (ED50=2742 nM) all act as agonists, producing concentration‐dependent activation of G‐proteins. Consistent with agonist activity observed in G‐protein assays, in a second functional assay, AB‐PINACA and metabolite 4OH‐AB‐PINACA also inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity with potencies of 3.9 nM and 141 nM, and efficacies of 72% and 87%, respectively. As predicted from in vitro data, 4OH‐AB‐PINACA elicited in vivo effects consistent with that of cannabinoid agonists, producing hypothermia, analgesia and suppression of locomotor activity. Interestingly, with the exception of one animal (30 mg/kg dose at 10‐min), catalepsy was not observed.In conclusion, these data indicate that AB‐PINACA, similar to several previously reported SCBs, is biotransformed to active phase I metabolites that may contribute to toxicity by enhancing and/or prolonging parent drug effects.Support or Funding InformationThis research was supported in part by by NIDA grant: DA039143 and by the UAMS Center for Translational Neuroscience (GM110702). CDW is supported by 3R01DA039143‐02S1This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

ALOE VERA BARBADENSIS MILLER AS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH FEVER

Background: Applying a cooling treatment from outside the body is one way to lower fever in children. Midwives commonly perform a warm water compress in their care, but it is considered less effective. Thus, compress with Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller is proposed in this study as an alternative treatment.
 Objective: To examine the effect of Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller compress in reducing body temperature in children with fever.
 Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest with control group design. Forty children were recruited, with twenty of them assigned in each group. Purposive sampling was performed to select the sample. A digital rectal thermometer was used to measure the temperature. Independent t- test and paired test were used for data analysis.
 Results: Findings showed that the Aloe Vera compress group showed a higher decrease of body temperature compared to the warm water compress group. The difference of body temperature after 20 minutes in the experiment group was 1.435 while in the control group was only 1.085. There were statistically significant differences in body temperature between the experiment and control group (p=0.013).
 Conclusion: Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller compress is an effective alternative therapy in reducing body temperature in children with fever. It is recommended for midwives to apply this intervention to reduce body temperature significantly.

Assessment for Predicting Parturition in Mares Based on Prepartum Temperature Changes Using a Digital Rectal Thermometer and Microchip Transponder Thermometry Device

The purpose of this study was to observe the changes in body temperature before parturition using a wireless temperature monitoring device (WTMD) and to evaluate the usefulness of body temperature measurements using a digital rectal thermometer (DRT) and a microchip transponder thermometry device (MTTD) for predicting parturition in mares. The body temperatures using a WTMD at 0 hr and -1 hr were significantly different from those at the same time on Days 1-5 (P<0.01). The temperature differences between the morning of Day 0 and at -3 hr, -2 hr, -1 hr and 0 hr using the DRT and MTTD showed a significant drop compared with the temperature differences between the morning and evening of Days 1-5 (P<0.05). Furthermore, when the cutoff value of the temperature differences between the morning and other times was set to ≤0, the sensitivities of the DRT and MTTD in the evening of Day 0 and at -3 hr were 43% and 100% and 71% and 86%, respectively. The results suggested that monitoring the body temperature differences between morning and within 3 hr before the time of parturition is a valuable method for predicting parturition in mares. Conversely, this method would be more useful in predicting parturition when used in combination with other observations such as the mammary gland size and waxing of the teat ends because it has nearly a 20% probability of false-positive results prior to the day of parturition.

A preliminary study into the use of infrared thermography as a means of assessing the horse's response to different training methods

Infrared thermography (IRT) has been used as a non-invasive means of assessing stress responses in animals. Changes in surface temperature that relate to redirected blood flow have been associated with emotional responses in a range of species. For example, when horses were subjected to a sham clipping procedure, increases in eye temperature were found to correlate significantly with increases in salivary cortisol. The Pessoa Training Aid is claimed to enhance the physical development of the horse but may also increase the psychological stress associated with training. The aim of the current study was to use IRT to evaluate whether the use of this training device affected the stress response of horses during a lunge session. Riding school horses (n = 8) were used for the study. All had previously been lunged in the Pessoa. Each horse was lunged for two sessions of approximately 15 minutes, once with and once without the Pessoa using a cross-over design. In each session the horse was lunged on both reins at walk, trot, canter, trot and walk. With the Pessoa the horse was lunged initially with the device fitted loosely and it was only tightened for the second trot. Thermal images were taken from a distance of one metre after each gait and from each side of the horse using a Mobir GuidIR M4 thermal camera. Ambient temperature was also recorded. A digital rectal thermometer was used to measure core temperature. Thermal images were analysed using Guide IR analyser software. The same area around the eye, on the neck and around the ear was circled on each image and the maximum temperature recorded. Mean temperatures (eye, ear, neck and core) were calculated for each gait with and without the Pessoa. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was carried out on the mean temperatures to assess the effects of Pessoa and gait. Significantly higher eye temperatures were recorded with the Pessoa (30.59 ± 0.58°C) than without it (28.7 ± 0.83°C) (p < 0.05). There was also a significant effect of gait (p < 0.01), with the highest eye temperature being recorded following the second trot when the Pessoa was worn (32.34 ± 2.61°C) and the lowest at halt (27.5 ± 0.95°C). There was no significant effect of either gadget or gait on ear or neck temperature. Significantly higher core temperatures were found when the Pessoa was used (with: 37.11 ± 0.2°C; without: 36.7 ± 0.17°C) although this was not affected by gait. No correlation between ambient temperature and eye, ear or neck temperature was found. The results of this preliminary study indicate that the horses experienced more stress when lunged with the Pessoa than without it. The increased eye temperature that occurred in relation to gait and was highest after the second trot was accentuated by the use of the Pessoa following tightening of the device. The use of IRT offers an objective non-invasive method of assessing the horse's response to other training methods and a means of improving the welfare of the ridden horse.

A Comparative Study of Non-contact Infrared and Digital Rectal Thermometer Measurements of Body Temperature in the Horse

Equine body temperature taken with a non-contact infrared thermometer (NCIT) does not correlate well with the equine body temperature taken with a digital rectal thermometer (DRT), when it comes to absolute temperatures. There is significant variation in body temperature readings depending on the site at which the temperature was taken. NCIT may still may have, in that it does seem to be able to reliably detect when temperatures are more than that which is clinically normal, and does not seem to give falselyelevated readings in clinically normal horses. In horses that resent having their temperatures taken rectally, the NCIT seems to offer the equine clinician a quick and easy way to at least determine whether the horse's temperature is at or more than normal, even if it does not agree with DRT results.

Comparison of temperature readings from a percutaneous thermal sensing microchip with temperature readings from a digital rectal thermometer in equids

To compare temperature readings from an implantable percutaneous thermal sensing microchip with temperature readings from a digital rectal thermometer, to identify factors that affect microchip readings, and to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the microchip for fever detection. Prospective study. 52 Welsh pony foals that were 6 to 10 months old and 30 Quarter Horses that were 2 years old. Data were collected in summer, winter, and fall in groups 1 (n = 23 ponies), 2 (29 ponies), and 3 (30 Quarter Horses), respectively. Temperature readings from a digital rectal thermometer and a percutaneous thermal sensing microchip as well as ambient temperature were recorded daily for 17, 23, and 19 days in groups 1 through 3, respectively. Effects of ambient temperature and rectal temperature on thermal sensor readings were estimated. Sensitivity and specificity of the thermal sensor for detection of fever (rectal temperature, >or= 38.9 degrees C [102 degrees F]) were estimated separately for data collection at ambient temperatures <or= 15.6 degrees C (60 degrees F) and > 15.6 degrees C. Mean ambient temperatures were 29.0 degrees C (84.2 degrees F), -2.7 degrees C (27.1 degrees F), and 10.4 degrees C (50.8 degrees F) for groups 1 through 3, respectively. Thermal sensor readings varied with ambient temperature and rectal temperature. Rectal temperatures ranged from 36.2 degrees to 41.7 degrees C (97.2 degrees to 107 degrees F), whereas thermal sensor temperature readings ranged from 23.9 degrees (75 degrees F) to 42.2 degrees C (75 degrees to 108 degrees F). Sensitivity for fever detection was 87.4%, 53.3%, and 58.3% in groups 1 to 3, respectively. The thermal sensor appeared to have potential use for initial screening of body temperature in equids at ambient temperatures > 15.6 degrees C.

Antioxidant administration with the initiation of fever prevents renal scarring in the rat model of acute pyelonephritis

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant administration starting at the onset of fever detection in reducing renal scars in an animal model of acute pyelonephritis (APN), and comparing the effectiveness of Allopurinol and vitamin E in the prevention of renal scaring. Material and methods Twenty male Wister rats divided to 4 groups. Group 1 to 3 underwent direct inoculation of 0.1 ml of E-coli suspension into the parenchyma of the right kidney. Group 4 received 0.1 ml of saline. Group I were treated with ceftriaxone for 5 days, starting 3 days after bacterial inoculation; group II & III received Allopurinol and vitamin E as soon as animal's body temperature rose above 37°C. followed by the administration of daily ceftriaxone 3 says after inoculation for five days. Six weeks later all rats were sacrificed; both kidneys examined histopathologically for scarring. Renal cell apoptosis index was determined in paraffin embedded kidneys (using TUNEL assay). Results The fever started 4.6±1.3 hours (measured by continues digital rectal thermometer) after inoculation in all rats. Histopathologically, subsequent scar formation had occurred in all rats of the group 1 which didn't receive antioxidant agents. The inflammation and fibrosis was mildest in group 2 and 3 (Allopurinol and Vitamin E); whereas it was significantly lower in group 3 than in group 2 (p Conclusions Initiation of the antioxidant agents following detection of fever can be effective in reducing the severity of scarring in APN. Comparing the total scar scores in experimental groups, vitamin E has more protective effect against renal damage due to APN than Allopurinol.