Investigations of infrared thermography and its application on dairy cows Artikel uri icon

Open Access

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Peer Reviewed

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Abstract

  • Currently in the focus of research there is the application of infrared thermography (IRT) as possibility of an automatic health monitoring on dairy cows. Relating to this, for the last years at HTW Dresden several studies at different dairy farms to analyze udder disease, claw disorders and fever were performed. With selection of most meaningful results of the research project VIONA (Development of a veterinary infrared-based online analytic system; supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF) the potential of IRT are shown. Concerning udder health significant differences between IRT temperature of various udder health states could be determined. Analyzed udder quarters with mastitis had lower IRT temperatures compared to healthy udder quarters. There were no correlations between IRT temperature and electrical conductivity as well as IRT temperature and somatic cell count. Additionally there was no correlation between IRT temperature and rectal temperature. Claws with several diagnostic findings, with sole ulcer and with dermatitis digitalis showed significant higher IRT temperatures than healthy claws. Identification of animals with claw diseases using IRT seems to be promising. The application of IRT as part of monitoring claws health especially for early detection of claw diseases is the subject of current research. Besides IRT additional parameters are included, which also indicates the presence of claw diseases. Increasing of sensitivity and specificity are expected by linking individual parameters.

Veröffentlichungszeitpunkt

  • Januar 7, 2014