EQUINE THERMOGRAPHY ~ INFRARED TECHNOLOGY




What Is Infrared Thermal Imaging?




Thermal, or infrared energy, is light that is not visible because its wavelength is too long to be detected by the human eye; it is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we perceive as heat. In the infrared world, everything with a temperature above absolute zero emits heat.




 




The technology has been around for many years in the security, medical, building, engineering and enforcement industries. The veterinary industry has recently taken thermography seriously due to better equipment and training. The camera I use is a hand held Flir T420 Infrared Thermal Imager with a 320 x 240 resolution and is the recognised industry standard for veterinary work. These cameras are the best in the world and capture surface temperature relating to living organisms. Measuring the smallest changes arising from stress, trauma or injury this equipment will identify changes relating to injury before the animal is clinically lame allowing for proactive treatment.




 

            




The images are downloaded onto a computer where the software allows me to compare thermal patterns and locate areas of abnormal pattern. The images are included in an industry standard report.


 


 Click on this link to watch an Infrared Information Video by Flir