Relationship between rectal temperature measured with a conventional thermometer and the temperature of several body regions measured by infrared thermography in fattening rabbits. Influence of different environmental factors

In clinical examination of rabbits, the temperature is usually recorded with a digital thermometer introduced rectally, an invasive procedure that could cause handling stress. The aim this study was to assess body using infrared thermography (IRT) in four areas rabbit’s anatomy: eye (ETT), outer ear (OETT), inner (IETT) and nose (NTT), then validate it as alternative measure rectal (RT) assessed conventional thermometer. Temperature samples were taken twice week from 48 weaned rabbits Spanish Common Rabbit breed during 38-d fattening period. factors considered were: doe which came (8 does), weeks period (4 5 wk), batch (3 periods year: April-May, June-July January-February) group size (cages 1 7 rabbits). On average, results RT 38.48±0.02 °C; ETT 37.31±0.05 OETT 29.09±0.26°C; IETT 30.53±0.251 °C, NTT 33.29±0.11 °C (mean±se). Moderate, statistically significant positive correlations (PP