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CHAPTER 23  III Rats  269








































                             A







































                                               B
                    Figure 23-3  •  A, Close-up lateral and dorsoventral (B) thoracic radiographs of an unconscious pet rat show a pronounced left cardiac shift
                    because of left-sided postural atelectasis resulting from prolonged left lateral recumbency while anesthetized. Other false disease indicators
                    related to postural atelectasis include (1) decreased lung volume implying atelectasis, (2) retraction of the caudal lobes from the chest wall

                    simulating pleural fluid, and (3) a heart that appears to be raised off the sternum suggesting a pneumothorax.







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           ch023-A02527.indd   269                                                                                    2/11/2008   11:11:15 AM
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