Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Accuracy of three temperature methods in dogs with low and high body
By Greer, Rebecca J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2007·Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of three methods of temperature measurement in hypothermic, euthermic, and hyperthermic dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs was tested to see which method of measuring body temperature was the most accurate. They compared a rectal thermometer, an infrared ear thermometer, and a subcutaneous microchip that senses temperature. The rectal thermometer was found to give the closest readings to the dogs' actual core body temperature, while the other two methods often showed lower temperatures than what was true. This suggests that if you're concerned about your dog's temperature, using a rectal thermometer is the best option for accuracy.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability and accuracy of a predictive rectal thermometer, an infrared auricular thermometer designed for veterinary use, and a subcutaneous temperature-sensing microchip for measurement of core body temperature over various temperature conditions in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 8 purpose-bred dogs. PROCEDURES: A minimum of 7 days prior to study commencement, a subcutaneous temperature-sensing microchip was implanted in 1 of 3 locations (interscapular, lateral aspect of shoulder, or sacral region) in each dog. For comparison with temperatures measured via rectal thermometer, infrared auricular thermometer, and microchip, core body temperature was measured via a thermistor-tipped pulmonary artery (TTPA) catheter. Hypothermia was induced during anesthesia at the time of TTPA catheter placement; on 3 occasions after placement of the catheter, hyperthermia was induced via administration of a low dose of endotoxin. Near-simultaneous duplicate temperature measurements were recorded from the TTPA catheter, the rectal thermometer, auricular thermometer, and subcutaneous microchips during hypothermia, euthermia, and hyperthermia. Reliability (variability) of temperature measurement for each device and agreement between each device measurement and core body temperature were assessed. RESULTS: Variability between duplicate near-simultaneous temperature measurements was greatest for the auricular thermometer and least for the TTPA catheter. Measurements obtained by use of the rectal thermometer were in closest agreement with core body temperature; for all other devices, temperature readings typically underestimated core body temperature. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Among the 3 methods of temperature measurement, rectal thermometry provided the most accurate estimation of core body temperature in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17571987/