Avian and exotic radiographs

Question 1

Equipment for exotic radiographs

Answer 1

With film radiography, high detail film-screen combinations are preferred
Exposure times of 1/40 sec or less are preferred to reduce motion
Grids are rarely used
Collimation to smallest size possible to reduce scatter radiation
Scatter radiation will have greater effect on image due to small patient size

Question 2

Exposure factors in exotics

Answer 2

Avian and exotic patients usually are not measured to calculate exposure
Normal exposure factors are chosen based on species and size of patient
Birds require a lesser technique than do reptiles, due to bone composition
Avian bones have significantly less calcium and ossification, therefore more radiolucent

Question 3

Patient restraint for exotics

Answer 3

In most cases best restraint is combination of chemical and mechanical restraint
Mechanical alone can cause extreme stress and possible injury
Only used alone on patients that are not prone to struggle and self trauma

Question 4

types of restraint for exotics

Answer 4

Mechanical restraint mainly consists of taping a patient directly to imaging plate or a Plexiglas sheet which is then placed on top of imaging plate
Masking tape or white “ouchless” tape is best
Scotch tape may damage or remove feathers/fur/scales

Question 5

VD positioning for birds

Answer 5

Wings are spread laterally and taped
Head gently extended and taped
Care must be taken that do not compromise airway in neck region with tape
Legs are pulled caudal equally and taped

Question 6

Lateral positioning for birds

Answer 6

Right lateral views taken to maintain consistency with comparable anatomic reference materials
Tape neck using caution airway (as with VD)
Wings taped dorsally with the wing closest to imaging plate being most cranial
Legs pulled ventrally with leg closest to cassette being taped cranial to top leg (as per pelvis in small animal)
Tail may also be taped if required

Question 7

CC view for wings positioning

Answer 7

Manual positioning is necessary for this view due to awkward position required by patient
Bird held upside down so that body is perpendicular to imaging plate
Tip of wing feathers held gently and wing of interest extended away from body
Cranial edge of wing placed on imaging plate
In order for cranial edge of wing to be in contact with imaging plate it is helpful to allow the head of patient to hang over edge of plate
Technique used is same as for whole body scan

Question 8

types of restraint for pocket pets

Answer 8

Place patient in radiolucent tube/container
Used for small rodents
Quality of radiograph compromised due to limbs being curled up underneath body
Tape patient to imaging device or Plexiglas as per avian (preferred method)
Rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs can be positioned as we would a cat and then taped down to imaging device

Question 9

How many views are needed for turtles

Answer 9

3
DV
lateral
CC

Question 10

How to restrain a turtle

Answer 10

Generally speaking, turtles do not require sedation because they are naturally very docile and slow moving
Movement restricted by taping or placing in appropriate sized plastic or cardboard box

Question 11

How to take a DV of turtle

Answer 11

To prepare patient is turned over onto its back and then just prior to exposure patient is turned back onto ventral side
It takes turtles a few minutes to get reoriented and will naturally extend its legs and head from its shell
This is the moment that the exposure is taken

Question 12

Lateral view of a turtle

Answer 12

Patient is taped to a wooden or sponge block in such a way that it’s ventral aspect is closest to the block
Tape should go around both the turtle and the block
Block and turtle then placed onto imaging plate so that turtle’s right side is closest to plate
If you have x-ray tube that can move to a horizontal position, you are able to have patient in sternal recumbency on top of the block on the table with plate positioned vertically against the right side of turtle – x-ray beam directed parallel to patient

Question 13

How to take a CC view of a turtle

Answer 13

Turtle and block are placed in ventral position onto imaging plate so turtle’s head is towards x-ray tube and tail closest to plate
X-ray beam directed towards head and passes through the body from head to tail
If have x-ray tube that can move to horizontal then perform as explained for lateral

Question 14

How to restrain lizards an amphibians for radiographs

Answer 14

Size and temperment of patient will determine type of restraint required
Most lizards require their tails to be taped down
Aggressive lizards may need to have their snouts muzzled or taped

Question 15

Whole body DV on a lizard positioning

Answer 15

Patient’s limbs are extended laterally

Question 16

Lateral positioning of a lizard for radiographs

Answer 16

Patient is on their right side and limbs are spread so that limbs closest to the plate are taped cranially and upper limbs are taped caudally

Question 17

How to take a whole body DV of a snake

Answer 17

Allow snake to lay in its natural coiled position either in a box or directly on plate – without any restraint
If patient is active, you may need to stick them in radiolucent tube
If this is the case, then may need to radiograph snake in segments (if does not fit on plate)
Need to label or number each segment similar to spinal series in LA

Question 18

How to take a lateral view of a snake

Answer 18

Place snake in radiolucent tube and plug end with porous material
Rotate tube until snake is lateral

Question 19

How to take DV view of a fish

Answer 19

Place bag directly on plate and expose once fish is still

Question 20

How to take a lateral view of a fish

Answer 20

Moveable x-ray tube: Move x-ray tube into horizontal position and the place plate vertically against the bag
Can use Plexiglas to squish the bag laterally
Fixed x-ray tube: remove fish and place between two wet pieces of paper towel on top of the plate
Make exposure QUICKLY and return patient to water immediately