Thermal Imaging - any recommendations?

kezimac

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 October 2009
Messages
1,932
Visit site
I think it all depends on what you looking for - I needed more definite idea of what going on rather than a general picture. It's also a misconception that red spots on an image is a bad thing or an area of inflammation. It's also a good idea dependant on the issue to scan before and after exercise as sometimes the picture is completely diffeent.

The leg and feet ones were very clear and interesting- I had a half body scan and must have had 20 plus images and before and after scans too - and it was this that prompted me to push for referral - although neither my own vet nor my referral vet (Svend kold) hold any high regard for thermal imaging and neither of them wanted to see the images.

I did previously use the inner picture and took the images to my vet who again wanted to do his own investigations and wouldn't go off my images - we found navicular. I had already booked the nerve blocks but had hoped he would look at the images before
 

philamena

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 November 2009
Messages
1,347
Visit site
Exactly, interpretation of the images is everything. It's a shame some vets are dismissive of it when others can see the uses. But then it wasn't that long ago some vets thought you were daft if you used a specialist EDT or chiropractor, so maybe it'll become more common in the fullness of time...
 

Pidgeon

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 April 2009
Messages
3,103
Visit site
I think you are being rather harsh on Clare to be honest. If you read my post I wasn't after a general picture, Pidge wasn't just quite right and I'd already been in touch with my vets about it. Clare's thermal imagining pinpointed the tiny meta tarsal joint in his hock which meant with my vets we went straight to x-rays which showed hock spavin again as opposed to more check ups, nerve blocks etc.
Just for the record how do you know Clare's camera was designed for a building site? Are you not just paying more for the equiscan as you get a report from their vets and thermal expert, which is irrelevant really as you need to take the pictures to your own vets to interpret?
 

kezimac

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 October 2009
Messages
1,932
Visit site
I had quite a few
Images done with inner picture - and like I say above it picked up navicular - however vet still wouldn't use any of the images - he still wanted to do all the normal traditional diagnostic tests - which is fair enough but I had the scan in the hope to find out what it was and so I wouldn't have to pay all the lameness work up, it did pick up the heat in that foot - I am not saying it doesn't work however the picture isn't as clear as the medical grade one, however when I had this horse done te picture didn't help as not very clear - had the medical grade one and showed the issue in right shoulder (joint) and her back very clearly and SI and her splint forming which then caused suspensory issues ( god my horse is a crock!) - I needed a more detailed picture - depends what the op wants. I wanted the vet diagnosis as my own vet doesnt really regard thermal imaging and as like I say all red bits don't mean inflammation so scans hard to read if you not qualified.
In my case I had both and preferred the equiscan.
The inner picture was good for general inflammation - saddle fitting but in MY case didnt show the pinpointed bits I needed.

It was equiscan that broadly said unless its a medical camera they are designed for hotspots on building sites, finding missing people etc. so I am paraphrasing them
 

dressage_diva

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 September 2007
Messages
1,480
Location
Oxfordshire
Visit site
Pigeon, regarding the cameras if you contact the MHRA you will confirm that the Meditherm Vet 2000 camera (which is only available via SyncThermology, formally Equiscan) is the only medical grade device that is registered in the UK.
 

dressage_diva

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 September 2007
Messages
1,480
Location
Oxfordshire
Visit site
Also, it is worth noting that vets are not trained in thermal imaging as part of their vet med degree, so just taking thermal images to vets is useless as they don't know how to read them (it isn't as simple as looking for hot spots). This is why many vets are unsupportive of the technology, because they aren't aware of how to interpret the images correctly (and they're also concerned about the number of people going around claiming they can diagnose from these images when they are not vets).

As I've stated before, any non-vet who claims to be able to diagnose from thermal images is technically breaking the law:

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/advice-and-g.../treatment-of-animals-by-unqualified-persons/

If you want to use thermal imaging as a diagnostic tool it should be supplementary to other diagnostic services and be carried out in conjunction with veterinary surgeons.
 

Ellam1

New User
Joined
28 December 2012
Messages
1
Location
Staffordshire
Visit site
Hi Everyone just thought I would join the party !

Thank you to Pidgeon and Festive Fairy for your kind comments :) much appreciated! Like both of you I love all animals and do my best to help them whenever I can.

I thought I would just clear up a few matters, the camera TH700 is currently used in the UK by Theinnerpicture, Vet Colin Duncan, Vet Donna Harper, therapist Jo Osbourne and the highly respected Sandie Chambers Equitherm. The above camera is adequate for equine thermography and is widely used by proffesionals in this country.
It is a high resolution camera of a very high standard and I would advise anyone to contact the manufacturer if they require confirmation of the quality of this piece of equipment........ METRUM

Also thought it is important to mention any therapist either McTimoney or Physio or laser therapist is not allowed to diagnose! only a vet can diagnose!

Thermal imaging is a non invasive and a fantastic tool as a starting point and guide to where the injury is originating from and can be cost effective (if using the most experienced of thermal imagers with many years of experience under their belt) :)
I always think it is best used working along side your local vet as he/she will be familiar with the horse and owner and logistically he will need to examine the injured animal at some point anyway and possibly refer the horse. In my mind spending £65 i.e theinnerpicture and involving your local vet would be a much more cost effective way of getting the results you require.:cool:
 
Top