The Radiological Diagnosis in Canine and Feline Emergencies: An Atlas of Thoracic and Abdominal Changes

The dependence upon diagnostic radiology in small animal practice has made veterinary radiology an acknowledged specialty. A number of textbooks and journals bear witness of the progress as well as of the interest in this specialty. The cornerstones of diagnostic radiology are good radiographic technique and correct interpretation of the films. It is usually not the x-ray machine but lack of knowledge and experience that limits the usefulness of radiology. In the hands of a trained radiologist, a small diagnostic unit is a more valuable tool than a more sophisticated machine not being skillfully operated. Proper positioning and good darkroom work are equally important. Nothing can substitute for experience in film reading. Nor is it possible to interpret films or to use any guide without knowledge of the normal radiographic anatomy. There is, however, an obvious need for a handy reference book that can give the student and practitioner some advice and direction in interpreting radiographs. The present atlas should meet this need. Its place is near the view box, within easy reach when guidance is needed in interpreting radiographs in emergency cases. The scope of the atlas is limited to canine and feline emergency cases with thoracic and abdominal soft-tissue changes. These changes lend themselves less easily to interpretation than do skeletal lesions such as luxations and fractures. Emphasis is on illustrations, which are large reproductions of radiographs. The legends are short. Each case is briefly described and data pertinent to the interpretation of the radiographs are given. The majority of the radiographs were made at the Department of Clinical Radiology of the Royal Veterinary College in Stockholm, with a few others contributed by the Animal Medical Center in New York, and the School of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.