Use of thermography in pigs: relationship between surface and core temperature.

This study aims to assess the correlation between surface temperature estimated by infrared thermography and core temperature measured with rectal thermometer in weaning and fattening pigs. A total of 108 pigs were used in this study. Thermal images of the eye of each animal were recorded with a thermal imaging camera, rectal temperatures were measured using a calibrated digital thermometer. The average rectal temperature was 38.9 ± 0.4 °C (MIN = 37.9 °C; MAX = 40.1 °C) and the average eye temperature was 36.7 ± 0.1 °C (MIN = 34.8 °C; MAX = 38.8 °C). Our results showed that the mean eye temperature estimated by infrared thermography was significantly correlated (r = .581, P < .01) with rectal temperature. The correlation was significant and strong for weaners (r = .739, P < .01), significant although weak for fatteners (r = .236 P < .05). Thermography could be a valid method to estimate the core temperature of pigs under farm condition.

Preliminary Study of Pet Owner Adherence in Behaviour, Cardiology, Urology, and Oncology Fields.

Successful veterinary treatment of animals requires owner adherence with a prescribed treatment plan. The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the level of adherence of the owners of patients presented for behavioural, cardiological, urological, and oncological problems. At the end of the first examination, each owner completed a questionnaire. Then, the owners were called four times to fill out another questionnaire over the phone. With regard to the first questionnaire, statistically significant data concern behavioral medicine and cardiology. In the first area the owner's worry decreases during the follow-up and the number of owners who would give away the animal increases. In cardiology, owners who think that the pathology harms their animal's quality of life decreased significantly over time. With regard to the 9 additional follow-up questions, in behavioural medicine and urology the owner's discomfort resulting from the animal's pathology significantly decreases over time. Assessment of adherence appears to be an optimal instrument in identifying the positive factors and the difficulties encountered by owners during the application of a treatment protocol.