Methodological evaluation of body temperature measured from different regions in domestic animals

Methodological Evaluation of Body Temperature Measured from Different Regions in Domestic Animals In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the body temperatures measured from different regions in different domestic animals (cattle, sheep, goat, horse, dog and cat) by alternative methods. 52 animals (half female and half male) of each animal species were examined. Care was taken to ensure that all types of animals were about the same age and that the cattle were montafon, akkaraman sheep, hair goats, British racehorses, tekir cats, and dogs were kangal breeds. Mercury-glass, digital and laser thermometers were used in the study. Rectal body temperature was measured with mercury-glass thermometer and was accepted as the reference value. Measurements were made with digital thermometer from rectum and ear, laser thermometer with coccyx, hind leg inner region (hairless part), eyebrow and forehead (after hair was opened by hand). The data obtained were evaluated using SPSS 22.0 computerized statistical program. In horses, the body temperature of mercury, rectal with digital thermometer, rectal and ear with digital thermometer, forehead, planum nasolabiale, hind limb and coccyx are respectively 37.80±0.25, 37.48±0.32, 35.80±0.62, 36.57±0.31, 36.51±0.27, 36.80±0.47, 37.15±045 ⁰C; in goats 39.20±0.45, 38.81±0.68, 36.37±0.66, 37.47±1.49, 36.94±0.80, 37.08±1.04 and 37.77±0.81 °C; in sheep, the same parameters were 38.95±0.50, 38.78±0.56, 36.72±0.80, 37.13±1.24, 36.72±0.63, 38.04±1.17, 38.23±1.08 ⁰C; in cattle 38.55±0.29, 38.34±0.38, 36.38±0.48, 36.48±0.35, 36.29±0.47, 36.64±0.52, 36.96±0.70 °C; in cats 38.68±0.29, 38.39±0.49, 36.40±1.12, 37.52±0.82, 37.26±0.66, 37.46±0.71, 37.82±0.61 °C and in the dogs 38.58±0.46, 38.48±0.56, 37.38±0.90, 37.58±1.00, 37.14±0.78, 37.37±0.76, 37.79 ± 0.80 ⁰C, respectively. Considering the importance of statistical differences between groups according to animal species, rectal temperature taken with mercury thermometer and rectal body temperature taken with digital thermometer were found to be insignificant (P>0.05) degrees in sheep, cats and dogs (P<0.05). It was determined that rectal body temperature was significantly higher in all animal groups than mercury thermometer (P<0.05). Considering the importance of statistical differences between groups according to male animal species, rectal temperature taken with mercury thermometer and rectal body temperature taken with digital thermometer were found to be insignificant (P>0.05) in goats, sheep, cattle, cats and dogs (P<0.05). When the importance of statistical difference between groups according to female animal species is examined, it is seen that rectal body temperature taken with mercury thermometer and rectal body temperature taken with digital thermometer is statistically insignificant in all animals (P>0.05). Heart and respiratory frequency in animals, horse, goat, cats and dogs were statistically insignificant (P>0.05), but sheep and cattle were significant at P<0.05. In terms of Rumen movements, it was seen that the difference in sex of goats and cattle was insignificant (P>0.05). As a result, it has been observed that the measurement of body temperature with alternative methods and different thermometers, especially in human medicine with the introduction of new technological devices, has a significant difference when compared with the rectal route body temperature value reported in the reference sources in veterinary medicine. The closest value to rectal body temperature measurement was determined by digital thermometer. It is thought that more comprehensive studies and correction coefficients should be used in order to evaluate these places and devices as reference values in unwell and healthy animals. Key Words: Body temperature, thermometer, domestic animal