Introduction

• To provide information on thoracic anatomy and potential pathology for both skeletal and soft tissue structures.
• To allow a cardiological evaluation:
  • Evaluation of heart size.
  • Changes in chamber size.
  • Enlargement of blood vessels.
  • Changes to lung parenchyma/bronchi/pulmonary blood vessels.
• Thoracic radiography is indicated when a patient demonstrates:
  • Dyspnea.
  • Forced expiratory breathing.
  • Paradoxical respiratory movements.
  • Nasal discharge, eg bloody-foamy, severe serous or purulent, slight nasal discharge with generalized malaise.
  • Muffled heart sounds.
  • Non-specific respiratory signs.
  • Heart murmur.
  • Suspected thoracic effusion.
  • Gut sounds in the thorax.
  • Reflux/regurgitation.
  • Bilateral exophthalmos.
  • Suspected metastasis.

Uses

Advantages

• Quick.
• Simple to use.
• Standard equipment in most veterinary practices, therefore likely to be readily available.
• Relatively inexpensive.
• Requires minimal clinical experience.

Disadvantages

• 2D images only.
• Likely to miss minute detail in comparison to CT scanning.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare

Outcomes

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Stepien R L, Benson K G, Forrest L J (2005) Radiographic measurement of cardiac size in normal ferrets. Vet Radio Ultra 40 (6), 606-610 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Hedley J (2020) BSAVA Small Animal Formulary Part B: Exotic Pets. 10th edn. British Small Animal Veterinary Association, UK. pp 204-205.
• Krautwald-Junghannsm M E, Pees M, Reese S & Tully T (2009) Diagnostic Imaging of Exotic Pets. Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, Germany. pp 143-299.