Plantar thermographic evaluation after short-term whole body vibration in magellanic penguins with and without bumblefoot

Abstract

Background and Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effects of whole body vibration on the cutaneous temperature of the plantar surface of the feet in healthy penguins and in penguins with bumblefoots by using infrared thermography. Materials and Methods: Twelve captive adult magellanic penguins were divided into two groups: Group 1 seven healthy penguins (14 feet) and group 2-5 penguins with bumblefoot (6 feet). Three sessions of vibrating platform were carried out at the frequency of 20 Hz. Each session lasted 5 min totalizing 15 min. Infrared thermography was performed before (time 0) and at 5, 10 and 15 min after the whole body vibration session. Results: The increased thermal measurements in group 1 were observed at 5 min after vibration in metatarsal footpads and at 10 min in tarsus metatarsus areas. The metatarsal food pads of penguins with bumblefoot showed higher thermographic temperature in comparison to the metatarsal footpads of the healthy penguins. The right tarsus metatarsal areas in group 2 showed increased thermal measurements at 15 min from the baseline, but no statistical difference occurred in the right metatarsal foot pads. Conclusion: The acute use of whole body vibration in healthy penguins increased the cutaneous temperature of the plantar surface of the feet, but it was not observed in the metatarsal footpad of penguins with bumblefoot class II.