Infrared Theromography for Dogs and Horses
See What the Body Is Telling Us
Infrared thermography is a safe, non-invasive imaging tool that detects subtle heat patterns on the body's surface.
These patterns can provide valuable information about areas of inflammation, compensation, altered circulation, and muscle overuse—often before obvious signs of discomfort appear.
What Can Infrared Thermography Show?
Infrared thermography measures the heat naturally emitted from your animal's body.
Changes in surface temperature can reflect differences in blood flow, inflammation, muscle activity, and compensation patterns.
While it does not diagnose disease or injury, it can highlight areas that deserve closer evaluation during an osteopathic assessment or veterinary examination.
Infrared thermography may help identify:
Areas of muscle overuse or strain before obvious lameness develops.
Compensation patterns, where one part of the body is working harder because another area is restricted.
Soft tissue dysfunction that may not be visible on X-rays, which primarily show bones and joints.
Asymmetrical heat patterns that suggest altered movement or loading.
Changes associated with tendon, ligament, or fascial stress.
Areas of inflammation that can be monitored over time alongside treatment.
Subtle changes in performance horses or active dogs when "something just isn't right," even if they are not obviously lame.
As an osteopath, I combine these thermal patterns with a thorough hands-on examination, gait assessment, and your animal's history. Together, this information helps build a more complete picture of how your animal is moving and where they may be compensating.
Infrared thermography does not replace your veterinarian or diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT, or MRI.
Instead, it complements veterinary care by providing additional information about the body's physiological responses, particularly in muscles, fascia, and other soft tissues.
Infrared Thermography in Action
Soft tissue injuries don't always show up on X-rays.
Leo began hopping on his left hind leg, and the initial concern was a knee injury.
During his osteopathic assessment, infrared thermography revealed increased heat over the iliopsoas muscle, suggesting significant soft tissue involvement.
Combined with a thorough hands-on examination, gait assessment, and history, this helped identify the source of his discomfort and guide his treatment.
Infrared thermography is used alongside an osteopathic assessment and veterinary care. It does not diagnose disease but provides additional information about heat patterns, inflammation, and soft tissue function.
Bella – Looking Beyond the Obvious
Bella, a much-loved schooling horse, had always been a dependable partner for riders of all levels. When she began refusing to turn right after jumping, her owners knew something wasn't right.
A comprehensive veterinary workup was performed, including lameness and physical examinations, but no obvious cause could be identified. Bella wasn't overtly lame—she just wasn't moving as comfortably or confidently as she once had.
During her osteopathic assessment, I used infrared thermography to look for subtle changes in heat patterns. The thermogram highlighted an abnormal area in one of Bella's hooves, suggesting that something required further investigation.
Working together with her veterinarian, the abnormal heat pattern was traced to a low-grade hoof infection. Once the infection was treated, Bella's comfort returned, and she was soon back to confidently turning left after her jumps and once again became one of the riding school's favourite horses.
Bella's story demonstrates how infrared thermography, osteopathic assessment, and veterinary medicine work together.
Thermography does not diagnose disease, but it can highlight areas that deserve closer attention, helping guide further assessment and supporting the best possible outcome for the animal.