Thermographic Detection of Dorsal Metacarpal/Metatarsal Disease in 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses: AÂ Preliminary Study

Dorsal metacarpal disease (DMcD) is a common performance-limiting condition that primarily affects 2-year-old athlete horses. The present study aimed to investigate whether infrared thermography can predict the clinical manifestations of DMcD in these horses. Twelve 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses of both genders undergoing race training were evaluated using thermographic and physical examinations from September 20, 2014 to January 3, 2015. Each horse underwent 13 evaluations (E1-E13). Thermographic examinations were performed on days of speed gallop training, before exercise, using a ThermaCAM i40 device to obtain images of the dorsal view of the front limbs and hind limbs. Images were analyzed using QuickReport software to obtain the temperature (°C) of the dorsal metacarpus and metatarsus. Physical examinations were performed during the next week, with digital palpation of the dorsal metacarpal region. The right and left metacarpal temperatures did not differ over the study period (P > .05). The metacarpal temperature fluctuated during the study, with an increase in the week after speed gallop training. Two fillies demonstrated the highest increase in metacarpal temperature and were diagnosed with DMcD during physical examination in the week after speed gallop training. However, they did not show any clinical signs and were training regularly. One horse showed evidence of dorsal metatarsal disease (DMtD). Our findings suggest that thermography is a sensitive diagnostic technique for the prediction of DMcD. DMtD can also be detected using thermography although further investigations are necessary to better understand its prevalence and role as a performance-limiting condition.