A termografia de infravermelho como ferramenta de diagnóstico de mastite em cabras leiteiras.

Abstract

Infrared thermography as a diagnostic tool for mastitis in dairy goats. Mastitis is the most damaging disease in dairy goat, and research that investigates this disease to fund strategies or prevention, treatment and control programs is very important. Therefore, it is necessary to develop diagnostic techniques and procedures that are easy and quick to apply and that can be used in the field. Infrared thermography (TIV) is indicated in some bovine and ovine mastitis studies as a tool with these characteristics. Considering the favorable results of TIV, this study aimed to study it as an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of mastitis in dairy goats. Fifty goats from the Saanen, Parda Alpina, Toggenburg and crossbred rats were evaluated, resulting from the crosses between these genotypes. All the animals underwent a clinical evaluation aiming at identifying those unable to participate in the study. California Mastitis Test (CMT), Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and microbiological examination of milk secretions were also performed. The thermographic images were obtained between 05:30 and 07:30 in the morning, with animals in the shade. There was no statistically significant difference in relation to the superficial temperature of the glands (TSG) when compared to CMT. The mean of the healthy mammary glands and the mastitis attacks were 35.2 °C and 34.6 °C respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant variation in relation to TSG of 34.4 °C at 37 °C and 35 °C at 37 °C as temperatures suggestive of healthy mammary gland. TSG of 33 °C at 34.3 °C showed a statistically significant difference for mammary glands indicative of mastitis involvement. The microbiological analysis revealed the presence of 3 mammary halves with presence of microorganisms: Nocardia sp., Staphylococcus Coagulase negative, and a Gram negative pentencent rod of the family Enterobacteriaceae, whose degree of inflammation and thermal temperatures obtained results consistent with those found in the literature. It was concluded that TIV associated with other diagnostic methods, such as SCC and microbiological analysis, is an important alternative in the diagnosis of mastitis in dairy goats, as well as in decision making in this type of production.