Mella axillary thermometers took “significantly less time,” minimized animal handling over conventional rectal thermometers
[Chicago, IL - August 14, 2023] – Mella Pet Care, a leading provider of innovative pet health solutions, is thrilled to share the results of a recent study with the potential to transform veterinary care practices. Researchers at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse found, for the first time, that treating dogs and cats with axillary (underarm) thermometers “significantly” decreases the length of the procedure, compared to conventional rectal thermometers.
The goal of the study, conducted by the Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) was to evaluate the efficiency of using underarm thermometers provided by Mella against conventional rectal thermometers in dogs and cats. Over more than a year, researchers observed vets using both axillary thermometers and rectal thermometers on a diverse pool of feline and canine patients.
Led by Dr. Cord Brundage, the UWL team found that the axillary method took “significantly less time” than the rectal method, both in terms of the thermometry itself as well as any necessary restraining of the patients.
Using the Mella thermometer markedly decreased handling time and overall thermometry time in both dogs and cats, with implications for clinic workflow, appointment duration, and patient experience.
"Less handling and shorter procedures decreases animal stress and increases owner satisfaction," said Dr. Brundage. "From a veterinary standpoint, animals that are less stressed do better, feel better and heal better. Any effort we can make to minimize animal handling and procedure time is a win all around"
Key findings from the study include:
Enhanced Efficiency: The Mella thermometer facilitated faster and more streamlined temperature readings, drastically reducing the procedure time compared to rectal thermometry.
Improved Patient Comfort: The study suggests that veterinarians can treat pets more comfortably with axillary thermometers, and encourages further research into how advances in thermometry can reduce patient stress and improve care quality.
Clinical Workflow Optimization: Axillary thermometry enables clinics to manage appointments more effectively, allowing for greater patient throughput without compromising on the quality of care.
"We are excited to share the remarkable findings of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse study, which validate the advantages of using our Mella thermometer in veterinary care," said Anya Babbitt, Chief Executive Officer at Mella Pet Care. "This research underscores our commitment to providing innovative, user-friendly solutions that enhance the well-being of our beloved pets while also improving the overall veterinary experience for caregivers and practitioners."
Mella Pet Care envisions a future where axillary thermometry becomes the gold standard in temperature assessment for canine and feline patients. The Mella thermometer, designed with cutting-edge technology and backed by scientific research, aims to redefine the way veterinarians approach routine temperature checks and elevate the standard of care for animals worldwide.
For more information about the University of Wisconsin La Crosse study, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/10/7/475.
About Mella Pet Care:
Mella Pet Care, a Chicago-based startup, is building the future of pet care with an ecosystem of health monitoring solutions for veterinarians and pet parents, starting with the first-ever accurate axillary thermometer. Preventative tools are now accessible for the clinic and the home, allowing pets to live longer, happier lives. Mella has won14 industry awards including the2021 Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize, Mars’ 2022 Leap Venture Studio accelerator, and is part of the Fear Free Preferred Product Program. Mella is accepting orders for the Mella Pro and Home Thermometers as well as pre-orders for the Biggie Scaleon their website.