A TERMOGRAFIA DE INFRAVERMELHO COMO FERRAMENTA DE DIAGNÓSTICO DE MASTITE EM CABRAS LEITEIRAS

Abstract

Mastitis is the most damaging disease in dairy goat. Therefore, it is necessary to develop diagnostic techniques and procedures that are easy to apply and can be used in the field. Infrared thermography (TIV) is indicated in some mastitis studies as a tool with these characteristics. Considering the results of TIV, this study aimed to study it as an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of mastitis in dairy goats. Fifty goats for dairy production were evaluated. All the animals underwent a clinical evaluation aiming at identifying those unable to participate in the study. Califoria Mastitis Test (CMT), Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and microbiological examination of milk were 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. The TSG of 33 ° C at 34.3 ° C showed statistical difference for mammary glands indicative of mastitis involvement. The microbiological analysis revealed the presence of 3 mammary halves with presence of microorganisms, whose degree of inflammation and thermal temperatures obtained results consistent with those found in the literature. It was concluded that TIV associated with SCC and microbiological analysis becomes an important alternative in the diagnosis of mastitis in dairy goats.