Factors affecting rectal temperature measurement using commonly available digital thermometers
Abstract
Rectal temperature measurement is an essential part of physical examination of cattle and some physiological experiments. Modern digital thermometers are often used to measure rectal temperatures by students; this study describes their reliability and appropriate use. Students measured rectal temperature on 53 occasions using their personal digital thermometer and techniques gained from previous instruction, rectal temperature was also measured by an experienced person using a Cornell mercury thermometer completely inserted in the rectum. Cornell mercury thermometers values were 38.95±0.05°C (mean±1 SE, n=53). Student rectal temperature measurements using their initial technique were nearly 0.5°C lower, 38.46±0.07°C. After receiving instruction to insert the digital thermometer to the window, student obtained values were 38.77±0.06°C; these are significantly higher than with the student's initial technique and closer to those obtained with a Cornell thermometer. In a series of 53 water bath tests, student owned thermometers recorded similar mean values to those of a traceable (reference) digital thermometer, Cornell mercury thermometer readings were 0.2°C higher. 10 individual digital thermometers were repeatedly tested against a traceable thermometer in a water bath, one was inaccurate. In a separate experiment a trained clinician tested the effect of angle of insertion of a digital thermometer on temperature readings and the affect was <0.1°C. We conclude that accurate temp…
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The accuracy of thermometers and the operator's technique can influence rectal temperature measurements.
“The accuracy of thermometers and the operator’s technique can also influence rectal temperature measurements [71].”
From Strategies for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) Diagnosis and Prognosis: A Comprehensive Overview (2024) · cites this paper as [71]
Elevated temperatures may result from non-respiratory or non-infectious factors like heat stress.
“Additionally, elevated temperatures may result from non-respiratory or non-infectious factors like heat stress [71].”
From Strategies for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) Diagnosis and Prognosis: A Comprehensive Overview (2024) · cites this paper as [71]
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- Authors
- Naylor, J. M., Streeter, R. M., & Torgerson, P.
- Affiliations
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (KN)
- Venue
- Research in Veterinary Science
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-02
- Volume
- 92
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 121-123
- ISSN
- 0034-5288 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2053402475
- Cited by
- 44
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research in Veterinary Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine › Thermal Regulation in Medicine
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Keywords
- rectal temperature measurement, digital thermometer, cattle, thermometer accuracy, insertion technique, mercury thermometer, measurement reliability, veterinary clinical examination
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Body Temperature, Cattle, Fever, Rectum, Thermometers, Reproducibility of Results
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