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Chapter 33

Lizards

III NORMAL RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY
The lizards we see in our practice are mainly iguanas
(Figure 33-1), followed by the smaller lizards such as The Whole-Body Survey
the hooded dragon (Figure 33-2) and chameleon
(Figure 33-3) and occasionally, the large muscular The great majority of initial examinations in small-
skink (Figure 33-4). and medium-sized lizards include a whole-body survey,
except any portion of the head or tail required for
restraint and therefore concealed by leaded gloves.
III RADIOGRAPHY Subsequent progress examinations are often more

focused, according to what specifically is being evalu-
An effective way to transport and restrain lizards while ated. An example of a whole-body survey, including
in the Radiology Department is to wrap them in one selected enlargements, is shown in Figure 33-14.
or more thick towels, a small blanket, or a comforter,
similar to what we do with large birds. Lizards are The Torso: A Regional Approach to
calmed by such restraint as evidenced by less strug- Radiographic Diagnosis
gling (Figure 33-5). If a lizard needs to remain in the
Radiology Department for more than a few minutes, Viewed from above, the torso of a lizard can be conve-
and the area is cool, we place it on a heating pad and niently divided into three diagnostic regions: cranial,
under a heat lamp (Figure 33-6). middle, and caudal.
Most lizards are radiographed while they are fully
conscious, securing them by the tail (Figure 33-7). A Cranial Torso. The anatomy of the cranial abdominal
conventional vertical x-ray beam is employed to obtain region consists of (1) the shoulders, each comprised
the dorsoventral view (Figure 33-8), and a horizontal of four bones: the scapula, coracoid, clavicle, and
beam is used to achieve a lateral projection (Figure humerus; (2) the heart, situated between the shoulders;
33-9). (3) the lung; (4) the spine; and (5) the ribs and sternum
Another technique is to first position the lizard on (Figure 33-15).

a prewarmed cassette (Figure 33-10), then lightly place
a hand on the lizard’s pelvic region and a curved Middle Torso. The middle abdominal region contains
wooden spoon alongside the torso (Figure 33-11). Once (1) the liver and gallbladder, (2) the stomach, (3) the
the animal has settled, quickly remove the hand and spleen, (4) the pancreas, and (5) a portion of the intes-
make the exposure. The lateral projection is made in tine. The caudal part of the lung may or may not be
the conventional manner by holding the lizard on its visible, depending on the size of the liver and the con-
side during the exposure (Figure 33-12). tents of the stomach (Figure 33-16).
In the case of known or suspected appendicular
fractures, the radiographic technique can be adjusted Caudal Torso. Elements of the caudal abdominal region
downward so the injured limb is not overexposed, include (1) the majority of the small and large intestine,
which will result in an underexposed torso (Figure (2) the kidneys, (3) the urinary bladder, and (4) the
33-13). When judging bone density in a lizard (or any cloaca. In a female, this portion of the abdomen may be
animal), the radiographic exposure should fi rst be dominated by the ovaries, which may sometimes be
taken into account. Text continued on p. 387.
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