Accuracy of different temperature reading techniques and associated stress response in hospitalized dogs

Abstract

Objective -To evaluate the accuracy and associated induced stress response of axillary, auricular, and rectal thermometry in hospitalized dogs. Design -Prospective observational study from October 2011 to February 2012. Setting -University veterinary teaching hospital. Animals -Two hundred fifty hospitalized dogs. All hospitalized dogs were considered eligible unless their condition precluded measurement at one of the designated sites. Interventions -A veterinary auricular infrared device for auricular temperature (OT) and an electronic predictive thermometer for rectal temperature (RT) and axillary temperature (AT) were used for temperature measurements. All recordings were obtained by the same investigator in a randomized fashion. Heart rate was noted before and immediately after each measurement. Stress behaviors (eg, vocalization, lip licking, shaking, panting, defensive behavior) were also recorded and graded from 0 (lowest) to 4 (highest). Signalment, analgesic therapy, and length of hospitalization were recorded. Measurements and Main Results -RT measurements were associated with greatest increase in heart rate (P < 0.05). Scores obtained for defensive behavior, lip licking, and vocalization were lowest with AT and highest with RT measurements (P < 0.05). Mean RT, AT, and OT were 38.0• C (SD: 0.85, and 37.23• C (SD: 1.0382• C), respectively. AT and OT were moderately correlated with RT (r = 0.70 and r = 0.64, respectively). Gender (P = 0.02) and coat length (P = 0.03) had a significant influence on results. No effect of dehydration, body condition, analgesia, age, reproductive status, or operator experience was observed (P > 0.05). Conclusions -AT and to a lesser extent OT are reliable, less stressful alternatives to estimate RT in dogs. Further studies are needed to evaluate these techniques in hyperthermic dogs, and to evaluate the use of AT and OT as monitoring tools in intensive care patients. (J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2014; 24(3): 279-285)

Comparison of rectal and tympanic membrane temperature in healthy exercising dogs

“…This study has shown that healthy dogs completing short periods of routine exercise in the UK can reach a RT of 40°C, highlighting the potential risks facing dogs exercising over longer periods during the warmer spring and summer months. Gomart et al, (2014) suggested using correction factors to improve the reliability of the TMT when compared to RT, but did not report how significant these improvements were. This required using three different correction factors ranging from +0.2°C to +0.6°C determined by gender and coat type.…”

“…This variation may be due to the use of nonveterinary specific auricular thermometers. The veterinary specific devices appear to be more reliable with mean differences ranging from -0.015 °C to 0.77 °C (Rexroat et al, 1999;Gonzalez et al, 2002;Wiedemann et al, 2006;Greer et al, 2007;Piccione et al, 2011;Lamb et al, 2013;Gomart et al, 2014;Smith et al, 2015). The majority of these studies report that TMT measures consistently lower than rectal temperature.…”

“…Sample size was determined by pre study power analysis, at least 22 dogs were needed to achieve a study power of 80%, with an error = 0.05, to detect a 0.6 °C (SD 1 °C) difference between the two methods. This was based on the mean TMT of the sample population reported by Gomart et al (2014). Twenty-four dogs (15 males, 9 females) were recruited, representing eight breed types: cocker spaniel (n=4), Labrador retrievers (n=4), lurchers (n=3), welsh springer spaniels (n=2), pugs (n=2), pointer (n=1), springer spaniel (n=1) and cross breeds (n=3).…”

“…If aural thermometers are to be used by pet owners in a non-clinical setting, a normal temperature range for TMT is necessary in order to prevent hyperthermia going undetected. Gomart et al (2014) published a table of correction factors for use with the Pet-Temp, to predict RT from TMT measurement, but do not comment on statistical impact of applying these factors. However, their study was limited to hospitalised, clinical canine patients and concluded that further investigation was needed to evaluate these techniques in hyperthermic dogs.…”

Axillary temperature measurement: a less stressful alternative for hospitalised cats?

“…In a previous study performed at the same institution, axillary temperature (AT) appeared to be correlated with and was less stressful than RT recording in dogs (Gomart and others 2014). However, all measures in that study were performed by a single observer.…”