Infrared thermometers

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runnervet

runnervet

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  1. Pre-Veterinary
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I have been hearing commercials about non-contact thermometers for humans. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with them on animals. It would make my life at the dairy farm so much easier! Not having to catch and stand behind a fidgety cow while rectal temping her would be a little bit of heaven on Earth. It would also save my jeans from snagging while climbing over countless calf panels- not to mention limiting germs spreading between the calves! Any advise on a type of brand would be greatly appreciated too.
 
Indy Zoo uses them on reptiles. don't know if it would be effective for mammals
 
I tried one at my old clinic about 4 years ago now and we returned it to the manufacturer. It just wasn't giving reliable enough results to consider accurate for use in small animal practice. Though that was several years ago and not in LA 😛
 
I have one... it gives a different reading every time you use it, seconds apart and in the same spot.
 
so in other words- it doesn't work?
 
I would be suspicious of any surface temp measurement, since "core" body temperature is more important. I suppose, though, as long as the two correlated--that is, surface temp rose and fell with core temp--it could be useful as long as you got used to a different scale.

If it was designed for humans though I would also be suspicious that haircoat would interfere. Even if skin temp is useful, I don't care about the fur temp! If you limited it to unhaired areas then you have to think about whether that particular area might be warmer or cooler and not representative.
 
I had also wondered about this. Could you aim it at the axilla or inside the ear or mouth to get a better result?
 
We have an ear thermometer at my clinic. We only use it on dogs and cats that won't let us get anywhere near their heinies. It seems like it breaks all the time even though we don't use it much and it gives variable results on the non-fractious animals we've tested it on. However, in a pinch, it's better than nothing. I'm sure if the pet has a 105 degree fever then it will give us a good idea whether they have an extreme fever.
 
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