Page 5 - Veterinary diagnostic imaging birds exotic pets wildlife

SECTION I

The Birds

Chapter 1

Avian Radiography and

Radiographic Diagnosis

III SMALL CAGE BIRDS: LIMITED latter situation, obtaining more than a dorsoventral
IMAGING OPTIONS view is difficult. The principal drawback associated

with these methods is that the wings and legs will be
Our practice focus is on wild birds, and consequently superimposed on the trunk, concealing portions of the
we radiograph comparatively few small cage birds viscera.
such as parakeets, canaries, and the like. Many of these
small birds have occult disease, with radiography
serving as a screening procedure. Older birds with
localized swellings are often believed to have tumors III MEDIUM-SIZED CAGE BIRDS
and are radiographed in the hope of obtaining more
information such as whether there is bone involve- Small-sized parrots, mostly Amazons and African
ment. Because many of these birds are quite fragile Grays, are the most common medium-sized cage birds
medically, as well as physically, they are often exam- seen in our practice. Like the majority of wild birds we
ined with little or no restraint, with full realization of image, parrots are imaged by radiographs and occa-
the effect that this will have on radiographic quality. sionally ultrasound while anesthetized with gas
We prefer to image small unrestrained birds in the (Figure 1-3), which also provides an additional oppor-
perching position (Figure 1-1), provided they are strong tunity to further examine any known or suspected
enough. If a bird is too weak to perch, it can be radio- injuries. In special circumstances, we may radiograph
graphed in a disposable cardboard box (Figure 1-2), these birds while perched (Figure 1-4).
with its movement limited by adjustable inserts. In this Text continued on p. 6.

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