Use of thermography (IRT) as a pre-diagnostic technique in bovine mastitis: a pilot study

The bovine mastitis is one of the major sources for Italian dairy farms. Goal of this work is to verify if it is possible use infrared thermography (IRT) as a non-invasive tool for the early diagnosis of subclinical mastitis. Udder skin temperature has been detected both from the lateral (TL) than from the rear of the breast (TP). 380 Holstein cows from 3 different farms in the North of Italy were selected. A portable infrared camera G120EX with microbolometer sensor (320 x 240 pixels) was used. The measurements carried out concurrently with monthly DHI control performed by local Breeders Association during the summer in 2016. Somatic cell count SCC in milk is approved as marker to assess inflammation; a cutoff of 200,000 cell/mL was used to settle infected cows. Udder temperature values obtained by IRT were compared with those of SCC given from DHI control using a statistical software (SPSS 24.0). The SCC was correlated with the maximum temperature of the udder taken laterally TL (p < .05, Rho Spearman ¼ -0.181). In infected animals (SCC >200.000 cell/mL), the average value of TP was 38.5 ± 0.8 °C and that of TL was 38.3 ± 1.0 °C. In healthy animals (SCC <200.000), average value of TP was equal to 38.6 ± 0.8 °C and that of TL was equal to 38.6 ± 0.8 °C. Increasing the number of subjects is necessary to confirm the data obtained and investigate the meaning of a negative correlation factor.