Comparison of Axillary versus Rectal Temperature Timing in Canine and Feline Patients

Abstract

Research on alternatives to rectal thermometry in canine and feline patients has focused on equipment and measurement location but not procedure duration. In a crossover clinical scenario, we evaluated the time prior to (Pre-TempT) and after (Post-TempT) rectal and axillary thermometry in a diverse demographic of canine (n = 114) and feline (n = 72) patients. Equipment duration was controlled to determine a presumptive total time (TTime) associated with each thermometry method. Pre-TempT and TTime were significantly shorter in axillary thermometry trials for both canine and feline pets (p < 0.001). There was no difference in Post-TempT between thermometry methods in canine patients (p = 0.887); however, the Post-TempT was longer in felines after axillary thermometry (p = 0.004). Reductions in Pre-TempT and TTime were not significant in Scottish Fold breed cats. Within the feline rectal trials, the TTime of domestic-long-haired breeds was significantly longer than that of domestic-short-haired breeds (p = 0.019). No other tested parameter (i.e., size, body shape, age, weight, breed, coat type, or procedure order) played a significant role in these results. Axillary thermometry was faster than rectal thermometry in both canine and feline pets, primarily due to the time associated with animal approach and restraint (Pre-TempT). These results have implications for optimizing clinic workflow, appointment durations, and patient handling time.

Keywords: appointment; axilla; cat; dog; procedure duration; rectal; restraint; temperature; thermometry.

Figure 1

Schematic of the 10 × 14 foot study examination room. Letters represent the starting location of the veterinarian (V), technician (T), and recorder (R) for each trial. Pets are indicated as triangles, and owners are indicated as circles for the canine (white) and feline (black) patients. Grey boxes represent bench tops and furniture in the room. The star represents the location of the digital recording system where the temperature was recorded.

Figure 2

Timing for combined feline and canine thermometry trials. Axillary (cross hatched) and rectal (stripes) duration prior to temperature recording (Pre-TempT; wider spacing) and after a temperature recording until data entry was completed (Post-TempT; narrow spacing) in both canines and felines. Both times were added to a standardized 6-s recording time to determine the total time (TTime) for each trial. Both Pre-TempT and TTime were significantly shorter in the axillary trials than the rectal trials ($*$; p < 0.001).

Figure 3

Timing for canine (a) and feline (b) thermometry trials. Axillary (cross hatched) and rectal (stripes) duration prior to temperature recording (Pre-TempT; wider spacing) and after a temperature recording until data entry was completed (Post-TempT; narrow spacing) in both canine (a; white) and feline (b; black) patients. Both times were added to a standardized 6-s recording time to determine the total time (TTime) for each trial. Both Pre-TempT and Ttime were significantly shorter in the axillary trials than the rectal trials in each species ($*$; p < 0.001). In felines, the Post-TempT in the axillary trials was longer than the rectal trials ($\#$; p < 0.004).