Small Mammal Radiology

Question 1

which radiology equipment is BEST for use in small mammals?

Answer 1

Digital dental units

they provide better detail and are great for smaller anatomical areas such as legs/feet.

Question 2

All dyspnic animals require __________ prior to radiographs

Answer 2

sedation
(midaz + torb)

Question 3

T/F: ferrets are extremely sensitive to chemical sedation and require lower doses

Answer 3

true!

Question 4

Proper views and proper technique are vital to proper interpretation of dental radiographs in small mammals. How can you ensure this?

Answer 4

Maintain good symmetry.

Question 5

what is the ONE most important and informative dental radiography view for rabbits, guineas, chinchillas, and degus?

Answer 5

Latero-lateral

slightly elevate the nose so that the head center-line is parallel to the plate.

Question 6

What 3 dental xray views are most ideal for rabbits, guineas, chinchillas, and degus?

Answer 6

1. Latero-lateral **
2. dorsoventral or ventrodorsal
3. 30-40 degree L and R lateral obliques

Question 7

Which of the following is FALSE?

A. to see rabbit incisors, you can take a singular rostro-caudal view
B. rabbit’s upper incisors are more curved
C. rabbit peg teeth will be visible in radiographs
D. 2 lateral views of the rabbit’s upper and lower incisors will be needed

Answer 7

A. to see rabbit incisors, you can take a singular rostro-caudal view

Question 8

T/F: normal rabbit cheek teeth have apices that line up with one another in a relatively straight line

Answer 8

true

Question 9

Why are dental CT scans less commonly used for small mammals?

Answer 9

Require high-resolution with thin slices (pediatric machines)
and general anesthesia would be required.

Question 10

Which of the following is TRUE?

A. guinea pig and chinchilla skulls are larger than rabbit skulls and therefore less teeth with be visible in each dental xray view
B. the rostrocaudal dental xray view is more informative in guinea pigs and chinchillas than in other species
C. there is no good view to isolate the apical mandibular roots and occlusal surfaces in guineas and chinchillas

Answer 10

B. the rostrocaudal dental xray view is more informative in guinea pigs and chinchillas than in other species

there skulls are smaller, so more teeth are visible in each view; and the isolated DV and 40 degree oblique view is good for isolating the apical mandibular roots and occlusal surfaces in guineas pigs only!

Question 11

T/F: the isolated DV and 40 degree oblique view is good for isolating the apical mandibular roots and occlusal surfaces in chinchillas

Answer 11

false – guinea pigs ONLY

Question 12

What are some asymmetrical changes that may indicate abnormalities in dental radiographs?

Answer 12

1. elodont teeth not parallel or not similar in length
2. changes in parallel alignment or cheek teeth length
3. irregular occlusal plane
4. improper alignment of upper and lower jaw
5. malalignment of upper and lower incisors
6. changes in apical bone with lysis or expansion of apical pocket

Question 13

what is the purpose of Bohmer-Crossley Reference Lines?

Answer 13

an attempt to create standardized measures and anatomic relationships using specific skull landmarks in order to evaluate malocclusion and/or tooth crown/apical overgrowth.
Can also be used as a guudelines on correction that is needed to crowns when trimming is requires.

Question 14

what are the 2 best dental xray views for rats and mice?

Answer 14

1. laterolateral
2. dorsoventral

open-mouth obliques can be useful sometimes to separate out the roots of different arcades.

Question 15

T/F: the lower incisors of rats are shorter than upper incisors and have short roots as well

Answer 15

false – they wrap completely under the cheek teeth caudal to the mandible.

Question 16

which type of small mammals can we utilize intraoral films on?

Answer 16

carnivores and omnivores because they can open their mouths wide.

Question 17

what are the 2 most common dental issues identifies with radiographs?

Answer 17

1. caries
2. fractures

Question 18

Survey radiographs in small mammals usually combine what two views in one exposure?

Answer 18

chest and abdomen
(aka pet-o-gram)

Question 19

Why are whole body radiographs difficult to interpret for herbivores?

Answer 19

they have large cecums and significant amounts of gas within their GI tract which obscures other organs and details.

Question 20

T/F: in rabbits, it can be difficult to distinguish between thymomas versus heart disease

Answer 20

true

Question 21

T/F: it is abnormal for a guinea pigs abdomen to buldge on radiographs and this finding may indicate GI stasis and/or obstruction

Answer 21

false – this is a normal finding for guinea pigs.