Thermal Imaging

To schedule a Digital Thermal Image appointment simply click the "Request an Appointment" button, or contact The Comfort Vet though email thecomfortvet@gmail.com, or text/call (608) 561-1639 and leave a message.

Someone will get back to you within 24-48 hours.

For a SADDLE FITTING appointment, a 15% discount will be applied when 4 or more horses at the same barn are scheduled on the same day and time.

Companion Animals:

• Your pet will need to be acclimated to the environment where the imaging will take place (about 10 minutes)

• Your pet will need to be dry. If it is raining or snowing, please plan ahead so your pet is completely dry for their appointment

• Do not brush, or rub your pet until after their exam is finished – friction during or shortly before the appointment will affect the images obtained

• Do not hold your pet in your lap immediately before your pet’s exam

• Feline patients should remain in their carrier before their exam

Equine Patients:

• Bring your horse in from the pasture at least 4 hours before the examination

• Ideally, your horse should not have exercised in the past 12 hours

• All blankets and leg wraps should be removed 4 hours ahead of the appointment time

• All topical treatments should be removed with tepid water, then the skin surface allowed to fully dry before the appointment

Digital thermal imaging is a completely safe technology that is non-invasive and measures thermal radiated energy from a patient. This energy is then depicted digitally where the temperature differences are viewed as color differences on an imaging camera. Warmer areas are associated with an increase in circulation, and cooler areas are associated with a decreases in circulation. This information can help detect areas of disease and dysfunction much earlier on in the process. It can help locate specific areas of pain and inflammation, as well as identify areas of secondary concern that will often otherwise go undetected. Since our pets can't tell us where it hurts digital thermal imaging is particularly useful for monitoring treatment progress and can be instrumental in improving outcomes by helping direct and target treatment.

Spinal and limb joint restrictions cause a cascade of events that affect a patient in numerous ways. Acute restrictions can result in muscle spasticity that can manifest as inflammation giving rise to hot areas on a thermal image. More chronic conditions can result in entrapment of blood vessels and nerves from contracting scar tissue. This can manifest as cool areas on the thermal image. Assessment of images involes using the patient as their own "control" by comparing sides (right leg compared to left leg for example) to see if there are significant thermal differences. When a difference is detected the information is then used to help guide treatment and recovery.

Having a properly fitting saddle is an important investment in preserving the health and well-being of a horse, and in protecting the bond between the horse and the rider.

Poor fitting saddles can cause pinching and bruising of sensitive muscle tissue along the horse's back. An unbalanced rider from a poorly fitted saddle can also result in muscle bruising and tenderness. Both of these situations can manifest as a "poorly behaved" horse, when in reality the horse is just trying to communicate that they are in pain. The situation can worsen significantly as the horse is forced to compensate for the discomfort, causing further additional biomechanical and lameness issues and premature wear and tear on other joints.

Digital thermal imaging can be used to give quantifiable information to help identify subtle areas of concern:

• If a saddle is being positioned optimally

• If the tree is too narrow or too wide

• If the saddle is rocking

• If the rider is balanced

A digital thermal image saddle fitting appointment includes a pre-riding image of the horse's back, a post-riding image of the horse's back, as well as a post-riding image of the underside of the saddle. When there is an issue, the image will depict areas of increased heat on both the horse's back and corresponding underside of the saddle. The images will be shared with the client to provide feedback to their professional saddle fitter and their trainer so adjustments can be made.