Exotic Pet Radiography

Exotic Animal Radiography

Our veterinarians may decide to include radiographs in your pet’s work-up when we want to rule out causes for pain, lameness and/or limping, vomiting and/or diarrhea, changes in breathing rate and/or effort, heart murmurs, dental disease, or evaluating lumps and bumps appreciated during physical examination.

At SEAVS we use a computed-radiography which offers a more detailed picture than conventional film-radiography. The digital image is processed within seconds and can be manipulated and enhanced after the image has been captured. The ability to adjust image brightness and contrast, allows our staff to capture, in one shot, what would have taken several attempts with conventional radiography; thus reducing the amount of radiation your pet is exposed to.

When your pet is radiographed, an x-ray beam passes through the body onto a special cassette. The cassette is inserted into a processor that digitizes the image. Images appear on computer monitors as different shades of white, gray, and black that reflect the animal’s anatomy. Bones absorb more x-rays and appear whiter than the surrounding tissue. Internal organs and other soft tissues absorb fewer x-rays and appear as gray structures.

Interpretation of your exotic pet’s radiographs requires great skill on the part of our veterinarians. Radiographs provide a safe and non-invasive approach to diagnosing various disease conditions and, as with ultrasonography, light sedation may be required to obtain a quality image.