Small Animal GI Radiograph

Question 1

roentgen signs

Answer 1

number
size
location
shape
margination
radiopacity

Question 2

challenges

Answer 2

low contrast - all soft tissue - use low kV
large area - minimise scattered radiation - low kV, collimation, grid
movement blur - need restraint
patient prep - fasted, empty bladder and bowels, clean coat

Question 3

advantages of abdominal radiography

Answer 3

screening - give global overview
assessment of adjacent thorax and skeleton
detection of gas or mineralisation
useful for acute conditions - vomiting
cheap and widely available

can use contrast

Question 4

disadvantages of abdominal

Answer 4

radiography
lack of contrast
superimposition of structures
artificial magnification of structures
less useful for chronic conditions - especially diarrhoea

Question 5

common abnormalities on abdominal radiograph

Answer 5

hepatomegaly -
caudoventral margin extends past costal arch
rounded caudoventral angle
caudal displacement of the stomach axis

small liver -
cranial displacement of stomach
common in deep chested dogs - just far away

splenomegaly -
common and wide range is normal
enlargement following ACp or barbiturates

small intestine -
if over 2.4 vertebrae diameter then likely obstructed
pseudothickening - walls look thickened due to partial filling with gas