Avian and Exotic
Radiography
Chapter 20
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.
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.
► 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.
► 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.
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.
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.
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
►
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
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.