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Applications for the Equine Market The Opportunity
- Non-contact way to localize a source of pain/injury. The patients cannot verbally communicate, "where it hurts".
- Cost-effective tool and no additional costs associated with material consumption
- Reduces expenses and risks associated with other invasive diagnostics. Can be used as pre-screening prior to or R/O necessity for scintigraphy exams.
- Aids in determining treatment efficacy
Easily Evaluate Common Equine Conditions
- Bowed Tendons- Very common in racehorses, a sprain or strain of the tendons at the back of the fore cannons. There will be heat, swelling, and pain
- Tie-Up/Azotumia- Muscle seizure after work. Stiffness, and reluctance to move. Can result in severe muscle damage.
- Laminitis- Also known as founder, foundering. Aseptic inflammation of the laminae (hoof). Hooves become "hot" and very sore. Entire infrastructure of the hoof can collapse, resulting in the "dropping down" of the cannon bone.
- Hoof abscess
- Traumatic Joint Disease- Inflammation in the joints/legs.
- Tendonitis
- Sore Back
- Saddle rub or poor fit
With the advances in modern computer technology vets, horse owners and trainers now have economically viable access to a non-contact, non-invasive screening/diagnostic modality -- Infrared thermography.
Thermography is a test of physiology that has been evolving in human medicine over the past 20 years. The early image systems bear little resemblance to the Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging systems being used today due to ease of use in portability, image acquisition, image storage and retrieval.
TMI's system is totally portable, and the test can be performed in most enclosed buildings such as stables or barns and takes little time. The TMI thermal system offers side-by-side image comparison and report writer generation software. Easy-to-use software combined with superior Infrared detection technology -- TMI is the system of choice for equine thermal imaging.
Thermography is recognized as a useful tool in the early identification of equine injuries, especially the non-specific (and difficult to diagnose) lameness. The ability to detect inflammatory/soft tissue damage and neurological processes at a very early stage can be critical to the out come.
TMI's Thermal Imaging System can provide information related to training-readiness (thermal imaging can help the trainer decide when the horse is fit to return to training and competition) as well as the effects of injury, disease or prescribed treatment. Regular thermographic review of horses in intense training offers the possibility of detecting developing problems, enabling treatment and management to prevent serious injury.
Thermographic patterns and temperature gradients are unique to each horse. Additionally, they are bilaterally symmetrical - if both legs are normal the pattern of one will be a mirror image of the other. Asymmetrical patterns are an indication of abnormal physiological influence or pathology and would present a need for further evaluation. This non-contact screening evaluation provides a huge cost savings over conventional imaging methods.
TMI's system is used to look for far more than just "hot spots". With accuracy to 0.08°C -- quantitative and objective results are possible. Nerve damage will be seen as areas of reduced temperature (cold). More commonly seen are patterns of heat caused by trauma or infection. Even deep inflammation can be detected by thermography. Early inflammation of a stressed tendon can be detected up to 2 weeks earlier than by routine clinical examination.
Hairline fractures that are difficult to detect with x-ray show specific thermal patterns localized to the affected area. "Splints", sore shins, and other periosteal involvements are demonstrated readily by thermography. Subluxated vertebrae are detected as "hot spots" on the back and thermal imaging provides easy assessment after chiropractic intervention.
Now that digital infrared thermal imaging has become an economic reality, it stands as one of the most versatile and scientifically accurate diagnostic tools to come along in recent years. In equine sports medicine, thermography is useful as a regular screening test to prevent serious injury and to allow training programs to be modified to prevent injury to the animal. Such early detection and treatment could significantly reduce the financial losses associated with training delays and prolonged recovery time.
For more information, please visit the CONTACT area of our website.
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