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Comparison of Digital Rectal Thermometry and a Non-Contact Veterinary Infrared Thermometer in Cats: Identifying
Carlotta Tombolani1, Daniela Alberghina2, Mauro Gioè3
1Indipendet Veterinary Practitioner, 37100 Verona, Italy.
Background:
Rectal temperature measurement in cats, while crucial, can cause discomfort and stress. This study evaluated non-contact infrared thermometry as a less invasive alternative.
Methods:
A total of 95 cats were enrolled in this study. The cats were categorized into three age groups: Group I (n = 20 kittens, 2-6 months), Group II (n = 34 young cats, 7-24 months), and Group III (n = 41 adult cats, >24 months).
Results:
The mean rectal temperature in cats was approximately 38 °C, which was significantly higher than both ocular temperature (p < 0.0001) and auricular pinna temperature (p < 0001). No statistically significant difference was found between rectal and perineal temperatures, nor in body temperatures between the age groups. Ocular temperature (p < 0.05) and auricular temperature (p < 0.0001) were influenced by ambient temperature. Perineal infrared temperatures showed a strong correlation and low bias compared to rectal temperature and were not affected by ambient temperature.
Conclusions:
Non-contact infrared thermometry offers advantages for feline temperature monitoring. Perineal infrared temperatures appear to be a useful, non-invasive alternative to rectal measurements in cats.
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