Infrared Imaging (Thermography) for Pets – Giving a voice to your pet!

What is Infrared imaging?

Infrared imaging is a non-invasive diagnostic tool used to demonstrate the distribution of temperature on the skin in order to localize areas of inflammation and pain in cats and dogs.  It is often difficult to recognize signs of pain, especially in very stoic pets, so this imaging tool in a way helps to give a voice to your pet!  This is not meant to replace radiographs or other imaging tools, but rather complements them.

Most animals will NOT tell us where it hurts – infrared imaging is a tool to help us visualize the EXACT LOCATION of the heat, inflammation, and pain your animal’s body.

Infrared imaging allows us to isolate WHERE your pet is painful!

Thermal imaging allows us to isolate and determine WHERE the pain is! Here, we can see the red area around the RIGHT knee compared to the left knee.

The science behind infrared imaging and how it works

Infrared imaging measures heat at the body’s skin surface. These measurements are directly correlated to circulation in the skin.  Pets who have inflammation or pain, will have increased heat in those affected areas.  These measurements are then translated into an image called a ‘thermogram’, which is analyzed by your veterinarian at Healing Paws Center in Fort Lauderdale to further help with treatment planning for your pet.

The Benefits of Infrared Imaging

• Non-invasive which means NO SEDATION IS NEEDED!
• FDA approved
• Radiation free
• Locates focal regions to target during therapy
• Acts as an objective measurement of response to therapy
• Early detector of problems up to 3 weeks BEFORE they become clinically apparent or detectable à Early detection means we can treat the condition before it can become a problem. Early detection saves YOU money, and spares your pet from PAIN.

Infrared imaging is great for numerous injuries and disease processes. Here are just a few of them:

• Identifying the source of lameness or PAIN
• Ligament, tendon, muscle sprains/strains
• Infectious or inflammatory conditions
• Neurologic conditions, such as herniated discs and degenerative myelopathy
• Cancer
• Blood flow disorders
• Wellness screening and preventative care

Infrared Imaging is leading the way for a more individualized treatment plan for your pet.  If you are interested in this or any of our other services, give us a call to see how we can help your pet live a longer, healthier life!

Websites used:

1. https://asgvets.com/the-wonderful-colorful-world-of-veterinary-thermography/
2. https://asgvets.com/services/diagnostic-imaging/

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