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

Abstract

Rectal temperature measurement (RTM) can promote stress and defensive behaviour in hospitalised cats. The aim of this study was to assess if axillary temperature measurement (ATM) could be a reliable and less stressful alternative for these animals. In this prospective study, paired rectal and axillary temperatures were measured in 42 cats, either by a veterinarian or a student. To assess the impact of these procedures on the cat's stress state, their heart rate was checked and a cat stress score (CSS) was defined and graded from 1 (relaxed) to 5 (terrified). A moderate correlation was found between RTM and ATM (r=0.52; P<0.0001). RTM was on average 0.9°C (1.6°F) higher than ATM (P<0.0001), although a wide variation was found in the difference between these two measurements (−2.1°C to 3.6°C (−3.8°F to 6.5°F)). ATM failed to identify hypothermia in 25 per cent of the cases and hyperthermia in 19 per cent of the cases but may be considered less stressful than RTM. Indeed, RTM induced a mildly greater increase in heart rate (+6 bpm; P=0.01) and in CSS (+0.2; P=0.001) than ATM. The results were not affected by operator type. In conclusion, RTM should remain the standard method to obtain accurate temperatures in cats.

Correlation of temperature-sensing microchip and rectal temperature measurements in cats

“…The skin or body surface temperature is thought to be several degrees below RT ( 28 ). This difference ranged from −2.1°C to 3.6°C ( 8 ) in cats and from −1.3°C to 0.5°C in dogs ( 29 ). In children, the mean difference RT - surface temperature was only 0.29°C ( 30 ).…”

Measuring body temperature: how do different sites compare?

“…For instance, the study by Girod and others (2016) documented a significant influence of gender and coat length on the rectal-axillary temperature gradient. Therefore, the reliability of these techniques may be heavily influenced by factors that are far from completely controlled in a clinical environment.…”

“…However, a paper by Girod and others (2016), which is summarised on page 192 of this issue of Veterinary Record , investigates how reliable and stressful axillary thermometry was compared to rectal thermometry in hospitalised cats. The authors found a moderate correlation between the two techniques, but the difference between axillary and rectal temperatures documented in their study was highly variable, ranging from –2.1°C to 3.6°C.…”

“…Some of the variability between rectal temperature measurements and those obtained from other sites in animals might be attributable to the role played by gender, neuter status, body condition score, hair coat length, time of day, and the ability of the operator to take the temperature correctly. For instance, the study by Girod and others (2016) documented a significant influence of gender and coat length on the rectal‐axillary temperature gradient. Therefore, the reliability of these techniques may be heavily influenced by factors that are far from completely controlled in a clinical environment.…”

“…Rectal thermometry can be difficult for clinicians to perform and uncomfortable for the patient. Unfortunately, Girod and others (2016) concluded that axillary temperature measurement, which is a reasonably simple and less stressful alternative to rectal thermometry, is not a reliable technique for screening hospitalised cats regarding the presence of either hypo‐ or hyperthermia.…”