• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.302-308
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• 2005

This study was performed to examine the absolute skin temperature and temperature difference $({\Delta}T)$ between the left and the right, the upper and the lower parts on the back of dog and to investigate the clinical usefulness of infrared thermography as diagnostic or prognostic aid on experimental spinal cord compression by using Digital Infrared Imaging System. In normal dogs, symmetrical and contouring patterns were observed in thermogram. The skin temperature difference was not significant between the left and the right, the upper and the lower parts on the back. In spinal cord compressed dog, there was symmetrical temperature reduction pattern around lesion. Patterns of ${\Delta}T$ between thoracic and lumbar portions were remarkable and showed the tendency to return to normal after 4 weeks of operation. It is considered that infrared thermography is a useful diagnostic and prognostic aid for spinal cord injury in dogs.