Avian and Exotic Radiography

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Avian and Exotic Radiography

• Chapter 20

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Introduction

• Exotic pets have become increasingly prevalent in
  last few years.
• Caused an increase for need of diagnostic
  technique and equipment.
• All principles for companion animal radiography
  can be applied to exotics and avian radiography.

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Special Considerations

• Equipment
• Essentially same as for companion animal
  radiography.
• A high mA x-ray machine is generally recommended
  to allow for shorter exposure times.
• Maximum kVp is less important for avian and
  exotic radiography than for domestic animal
  radiography.

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• Exposure Factors
• Not usually measured with caliper.
• Exposure factors are chosen according to the
  species and general size of the patient.
• Even with the same thickness, birds require less
  exposure than reptiles.

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• Patient Restraint
• 3 types of restraint are used for avian and
  exotic patients during radiography.
• 1. Manual
• Physically holding of the animal
• 2. Physical
• Involves the use of devices to aid in restraint.
• Should only be used in animals that are not prone
  to self-trauma
• 3. Chemical
• Sedation
• Head and torso are restrained first, then the
  wings, and the legs last.

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Avian Radiography

• Whole Body Ventrodorsal View
• Positioned on back.
• Physical restraint is preferred.
• Whole-Body Lateral View
• Placed in right lateral recumbency with wings
  pulled back.
• Wing-Caudocranial View
• Manual positioning is required due to awkward
  position of the patient.
• Bird is held upside down and body is
  perpendicular to the cassette.
• Gastrointestinal Contrast Study
• Same general principles as those found in
  companion animals.

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Rodent Radiography

• Whole-Body Dorsoventral View
• Can be placed in a positioning device
• Can secure to cassette with tape
• In rabbits and guinea pigs can be positioned the
  same as a small domestic animal.
• Whole-Body Lateral View
• Same as dorsoventral or that of a companion
  animal.

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Reptile radiography

• Turtle
• Whole-body dorsoventral view
• Turtle is turned on the back and then returned to
  ventral side. Turtle will naturally extend legs
  and this is when exposure should be taken.
• Minimal restraint is required.
• View should include entire body.
• Whole-body lateral view
• Turtle is placed on side and attached to wood or
  plastic rack.
• Whole-body craniocaudal view
• X-ray beam is through front of turtle

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• Lizard
• Whole-body dorsoventral view
• Can be secured with tape with minimal restraint.
• X-ray beam is directed vertically through the
  back of the patient.
• Whole body lateral view
• Placed in right lateral recumbency against the
  cassette.
• Snake
• Whole-body dorsoventral View
• Can be placed in cardboard or radiolucent plastic
  box.
• Can be placed in long radiolucent plastic tube
  with ends plugged.
• If radiographing in segments, then make sure to
  label the segments.
• Whole-body lateral view
• Can use physical or manual restraint

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Fish Radiography

• Dorsoventral and Lateral Whole-Body view
• Can be challenging because need water to breathe.
  
• Can be placed in plastic bag and then placed on
  top of cassette.

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