Avian and Exotic Avian and Exotic RadiographyRadiography

Chapter 20Chapter 20

IntroductionIntroduction

►Exotic pets have become increasingly Exotic pets have become increasingly prevalent in last few years.prevalent in last few years.

►Caused an increase for need of Caused an increase for need of diagnostic technique and equipment.diagnostic technique and equipment.

►All principles for companion animal All principles for companion animal radiography can be applied to exotics radiography can be applied to exotics and avian radiography.and avian radiography.

Special ConsiderationsSpecial Considerations

►EquipmentEquipment Essentially same as for companion animal Essentially same as for companion animal

radiography.radiography. A high mA x-ray machine is generally A high mA x-ray machine is generally

recommended to allow for shorter recommended to allow for shorter exposure times.exposure times.

Maximum kVp is less important for avian Maximum kVp is less important for avian and exotic radiography than for domestic and exotic radiography than for domestic animal radiography. animal radiography.

►Exposure FactorsExposure Factors Not usually measured with caliper.Not usually measured with caliper. Exposure factors are chosen according to Exposure factors are chosen according to

the species and general size of the the species and general size of the patient.patient.

Even with the same thickness, birds Even with the same thickness, birds require less exposure than reptiles.require less exposure than reptiles.

► Patient RestraintPatient Restraint 3 types of restraint are used for avian and exotic 3 types of restraint are used for avian and exotic

patients during radiography.patients during radiography.►1. Manual1. Manual

Physically holding of the animalPhysically holding of the animal►2. Physical2. Physical

Involves the use of devices to aid in restraint.Involves the use of devices to aid in restraint. Should only be used in animals that are not prone to self-Should only be used in animals that are not prone to self-

traumatrauma►3. Chemical3. Chemical

SedationSedation

Head and torso are restrained first, then the Head and torso are restrained first, then the wings, and the legs last.wings, and the legs last.

Avian RadiographyAvian Radiography

► Whole Body Ventrodorsal ViewWhole Body Ventrodorsal View Positioned on back.Positioned on back. Physical restraint is preferred.Physical restraint is preferred.

► Whole-Body Lateral ViewWhole-Body Lateral View Placed in right lateral recumbency with wings pulled back. Placed in right lateral recumbency with wings pulled back.

► Wing-Caudocranial ViewWing-Caudocranial View Manual positioning is required due to awkward position of Manual positioning is required due to awkward position of

the patient.the patient. Bird is held upside down and body is perpendicular to the Bird is held upside down and body is perpendicular to the

cassette.cassette.► Gastrointestinal Contrast StudyGastrointestinal Contrast Study

Same general principles as those found in companion Same general principles as those found in companion animals. animals.

Rodent RadiographyRodent Radiography

►Whole-Body Dorsoventral ViewWhole-Body Dorsoventral View Can be placed in a positioning deviceCan be placed in a positioning device Can secure to cassette with tapeCan secure to cassette with tape In rabbits and guinea pigs can be In rabbits and guinea pigs can be

positioned the same as a small domestic positioned the same as a small domestic animal.animal.

►Whole-Body Lateral ViewWhole-Body Lateral View Same as dorsoventral or that of a Same as dorsoventral or that of a

companion animal.companion animal.

Reptile radiographyReptile radiography

► TurtleTurtle Whole-body dorsoventral viewWhole-body dorsoventral view

►Turtle is turned on the back and then returned to Turtle is turned on the back and then returned to ventral side. Turtle will naturally extend legs and this is ventral side. Turtle will naturally extend legs and this is when exposure should be taken.when exposure should be taken.

►Minimal restraint is required.Minimal restraint is required.►View should include entire body.View should include entire body.

Whole-body lateral viewWhole-body lateral view►Turtle is placed on side and attached to wood or plastic Turtle is placed on side and attached to wood or plastic

rack.rack.

Whole-body craniocaudal viewWhole-body craniocaudal view►X-ray beam is through front of turtleX-ray beam is through front of turtle

► LizardLizard Whole-body dorsoventral viewWhole-body dorsoventral view

► Can be secured with tape with minimal restraint.Can be secured with tape with minimal restraint.► X-ray beam is directed vertically through the back of the patient.X-ray beam is directed vertically through the back of the patient.

Whole body lateral viewWhole body lateral view► Placed in right lateral recumbency against the cassette.Placed in right lateral recumbency against the cassette.

► SnakeSnake Whole-body dorsoventral ViewWhole-body dorsoventral View

► Can be placed in cardboard or radiolucent plastic box.Can be placed in cardboard or radiolucent plastic box.► Can be placed in long radiolucent plastic tube with ends Can be placed in long radiolucent plastic tube with ends

plugged.plugged.► If radiographing in segments, then make sure to label the If radiographing in segments, then make sure to label the

segments. segments. Whole-body lateral viewWhole-body lateral view

► Can use physical or manual restraintCan use physical or manual restraint

Fish RadiographyFish Radiography

►Dorsoventral and Lateral Whole-Body Dorsoventral and Lateral Whole-Body viewview Can be challenging because need water to Can be challenging because need water to

breathe. breathe. Can be placed in plastic bag and then Can be placed in plastic bag and then

placed on top of cassette.placed on top of cassette.