Small Animal Radiography

Question 1

Admit case

Answer 1

Consent form (capacity to consent e.g. age/understanding of procedure/mentally stable)
Risk of sedation (always a risk, will take all appropriate measures to manage any problems that arise, possible conversion to GA and changes to estimate)
Veterinary surgeon will contact the client when the radiography results are known

Question 2

Lateral view

Answer 2

Bucky tray if >10cm depth, centre beam in middle
Left or right lateral recumbency
Place radiolucent foam wedge in between femurs and under sternum to prevent rotation
Secure hindlimbs caudally using sandbags
Centre beam to midpoint of umbilicus and lumbar spine
Collimate: cranially to diaphragm at seventh rib, caudal to greater trochanter of femur, dorsally to vertebral bodies, ventrally to abdominal wall
L/R marker

Question 3

Ventrodorsal view

Answer 3

Bucky tray if >10cm, centre beam in middle
Dorsal recumbency on radiolucent trough
Let the hindlimbs fall naturally into a neutral position to avoid superimposition
Vertebrae of the lumbar and thoracic regions should be kept straight
Checked by standing at the end of the table and looking nose to the tail and by palpation
X-ray beam centred on the umbilicus
Collimation: cranially to the diaphragm (around the 7th rib), caudally to the greater trochanter of the femur and laterally to the skin edges
Place L/R marker