Evaluation of infrared thermography findings in postoperative follow-up in dogs with pyometra

Objective: In the presented thesis, the usability of infrared thermography (IRT) applications in the postoperative follow-up after the sterilization operation was investigated in dogs with cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH)-pyometra complex. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on healthy animals (Group 2, n=7) diagnosed as CEH-Pyometra (Group 1, n=7) and undergone elective sterilization, a total of 14 female dogs. Serum CRP levels were measured from the patients before the operation and on the 1st, 4th, and 7th days postoperatively. Thermographic images from the eye and incision area were recorded, and the results were analyzed statistically. Results: There were no intraoperative and postoperative complications in both study groups, and all dogs in Group 1 recovered uneventfully. Serum CRP levels were higher at 0, 4 and 7th days in Group 1 (P<0.05), while they were at a peak level on the 1st day (P>0.05) in both groups, a decrease was observed on the 4th and 7th days (P<0.05). Postoperative CRP levels in all animals showed a tendency to decrease on the 4th and 7th days. There was no statistical difference between and within the groups in the eye and abdominal thermographic examinations (P>0.05). Conclusion: While serum CRP values reached the maximum level on the 1st day after surgery in the healthy and patient groups, it was seen as a milder increase due to the inflammatory reaction in the CEH-Pyometra group. Due to the uncomplicated completion of the study, CRP values tended to decrease on the 4th day, and no significant difference was observed in the thermographic images. Although it is not reflected in the statistical data, in the CEH-Pyometra group, the eye on the 1st and 4th days. The abdominal temperature remained higher than the control group on all other days. It is thought that the use of thermography, which is a noninvasive and practical application, in addition to serum CRP measurement after ovariohysterectomy, in similar studies to be applied in larger populations in the future will help in determining the prognosis. Keywords: Dog, Postoperative monitoring, Pyometra, Thermography