![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
Abstract
Aims:To assess the effects of external thermal manipulation on the soft-tissue and vascular perfusion of the equine digit using nuclear scintigraphy and documented tissue temperatures.
Methods: Six horses were used in a randomised crossover design. Each horse was treated with external heat (47°C) or external cold (4°C) applied to a digit for 30 minutes. The opposite front foot was untreated and used for control measurements. Nuclear scintigraphy was performed before, during, and after therapy to assess vascular and soft-tissue perfusion to the digit in response to therapy. Dorsal hoof wall laminar-tissue temperatures were recorded before, during, and after therapy using a thermistor.
Results: Treatment with topical cold therapy significantly decreased soft-tissue perfusion of the digit to 80.5% of the pre-cooled values. Conversely, the application of external heat significantly increased soft-tissue perfusion of the digit 25.1% above the pre-heated values. Vascular perfusion showed similar, but not statistically significant trends. External cold application to the digit caused a significant mean decrease in laminar-tissue temperatures of 11.6°C during therapy, while external heat application to the digit caused a significant mean increase in laminar-tissue temperatures of 3.9°C.
Conclusion: The external application of heat and cold to the normal equine foot could effectively alter soft-tissue perfusion and laminar-tissue temperatures within 30 minutes of treatment. The application of hot water and ice water to the digit was a safe, well-tolerated, and economical therapy.
Clinical Relevance: Cooling the foot could decrease enzymatic reactions associated with laminitis, and warming could increase local perfusion when desired.