Understanding thermal imaging

This non-invasive diagnostic tool can identify ‘hotspots’ that are linked to unsoundness, says Dr Mac.

- Dr Mac

Internationally, thermal imaging has been recognised as a rapid, affordable, and non-invasive alternative for diagnosing the cause of the discomfort, pain, and unsoundness in horses. An infrared camera can be used to identify ‘hot spots’ where inflammation is present, and ‘cold spots’ where it is not. The photograph clearly shows a bright red ‘hot spot’ around the left hock of the horse being examined.

When treatment begins, the horse can be monitored over time to see if the treatment is effective, as the inflammation will decrease and the thermal imaging will show changes in the color of the affected hock. In this case, the inflamed hock was treated successfully with a laser over several weeks by an equine physiotherapist.

Thermal imaging has been recognized for industrial use for many years, but the cameras used were too cumbersome for practical use in diagnostics until the arrival of the digital age.