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

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

Introduction

Rectal temperature (RT) is the reference standard for clinical evaluation of body temperature in mammals. However, the use of a rectal thermometer to measure temperature can cause stress and other problems, especially in cats. There is a need for clinical techniques that reduce both stress and defensive behavior as part of the provision of better medical care. Subcutaneous temperature-sensing identification microchips fulfil the current legal requirements and provide a reading of subcutaneous temperature (MT).

Methods

The clinical study tried to determine whether there is agreement between MT and RT in normal (n = 58), hospitalized (n = 26) and sedated/anesthetized (n = 36) cats. Three measurements were taken using both methods (MT and RT) in each cat. Correlation between MT and RT, and differences between MT and RT, were estimated for pairs of data-points from the same individual, and all data pairs in each group were considered overall.

Results

There was a strong positive correlation between MT and RT (r = 0.7 to 1.0) (p < 0.0005). The mean differences (d) were always negative and although statistically significant, these d values are likely of no biological importance. The overall d was ‑0.1°C in normal cats (p < 0.0005), -0.1°C in hospitalized cats (p = 0.001) and -0.1°C in sedated/anesthetized cats (p = 0.001). The limits of agreement between MT and RT appear narrow enough for MT to be acceptable estimate of RT. The overall limits of agreement (95%) were ‑0.71°C and 0.53°C (in normal cats); ‑0.51°C and 0.34°C (in hospitalized cats) and ‑0.60°C and 0.42°C (in sedated/anesthetized cats).

Discussion

MT may provide a good alternative to RT measurement in cats. However, this study was mostly performed in animals that were normothermic. Therefore, further studies in larger groups of cats under different conditions are needed to compare trends and assess variation with time.

Short Communication: Use of Infrared Thermometers for Cutaneous Temperature Recording: Agreement with the Rectal Temperature in Felis catus

Simple Summary

The recording of body temperature by rectal temperature assessments is a stressful procedure for cats. For this purpose, alternative methods for using rectal digital thermometers to monitor body temperature were investigated. Skin temperature was recorded in 20 cats, in 5 different body regions, and compared with the rectal temperature. The obtained data indicated that the cutaneous temperature recorded by the infrared thermometers was not in agreement with the data recorded by the digital thermometer in the rectum.

Abstract

In veterinary medicine, the gold standard for assessing body temperature is rectal temperature assessment. Considering that this procedure is stressful for many species, in particular for cats, it could be clinically important to consider an alternative approach for the monitoring of core body temperature. The aim of this study was to test if cutaneous temperature measurements by means of different infrared thermometers are in agreement with the most commonly used method for body temperature measurement in cats. The cutaneous temperature was recorded in the jugular, shoulder, rib, flank, and inner thigh, using three different non-contact infrared thermometers (IR1, IR2, and IR3) in 20 cats. The cutaneous temperature was then compared to the rectal temperature, recorded by means of a digital thermometer. The obtained data indicated that the cutaneous temperature recorded by the infrared thermometers was not in agreement with the data recorded by the digital thermometer in the rectum. In cats, the use of non-contact infrared thermometers gave no reproducible or constant data to justify their application for the recording of body temperature instead of rectal temperature recording. In addition, the infrared temperature measurement devices generated results that were not in good agreement among themselves, providing a novel result of clinical importance.