Good Exam Room and Dental Lighting: Why It Matters

When it comes to upgrading your veterinary practice, maybe the first things that come to mind are new exam tables, high-tech anesthesia monitoring equipment, or an in-house chemistry analyzer.

Was a new LED exam room light also on your list? If not, it should be. Here’s why…

While lighting is often overlooked, just think about how many times per day a good, strong light could make your life easier.

Times, when a high-quality LED light could come in handy in your exam room, include the evaluation of…

• Lesions and wounds.

• Dental disease or oral lesions.

• Ocular health (you’ll use your ophthalmoscope and other equipment for a more detailed exam, but good room lighting can help you pick up subtle lesions during a routine checkup).

• Paw pads and the spaces between the paw pads.

• External ear structures.

• Dander, fleas, and other skin and coat issues.

These are a few good examples—but really, good lighting can help with much of the physical exam by making it easier for you to accurately document tissue colors, textures, lesions, and other notable abnormalities in your medical record.

Good lighting is essential for dental procedures and surgeries

In our last blog post, we gave some advice on how to pick a good surgical light.

And along those same lines, don’t forget about dental procedures!

The mouth is like a dark cave, making it difficult for you and your staff to see what you’re working on if you don’t have good lighting.

Some things a good light will help you visualize include…

• Calculus that needs to be cleaned—and verifying that all calculus was removed.

• Enamel defects and small chips or fractures. 

• Staining, or other color changes such as pulpitis.

• Subtle bleeding or mild gingivitis.

• Oral abnormalities such as masses or inflammation.

• Pharyngeal or tonsillar abnormalities.

• Extraction sites—before, during, and after the extraction.

• Placement and manipulation of small sutures.

Not to mention, a good overhead light can aid your laryngoscope light during intubation. 

How affordable are good LED lights?

In the past, LED lights were very expensive compared to halogen bulbs—so it’s understandable if you’ve not purchased one before.

However, some brands are now 30-40% less than previous LED prices.

So, LEDs don’t have to be expensive anymore. And considering their performance and efficiency, a good LED light can be a great addition to your practice.

Plus, many cities, counties, states, and even electric power companies offer rebates for upgrading to LED lights, due to the decrease in power used.

Specific requirements for rebates vary by location—so be sure to check with your local municipality and utility providers to see what’s available in your area. Because it’s always great to get a cash rebate that can help cover the cost of your upgrades!

How do you choose a good exam room or dental light?

When it comes to selecting the best lighting, there are many things to consider…

• Affordability. LED lights are much more affordable now than they used to be, so shop around and be sure you’re getting a good deal (to be sure you’re comparing apples to apples, check for the other factors on this list, too).

• Quality and dependability. Plus, a good-value warranty helps to back up your investment.

• Lighting adjustability in terms of intensity and dimming options, as well as area of focus.

• Precise positioning. The light head and arm should be easy to move and manipulate—but then, stay right where you put it without drifting. 

• Easy to clean.

• User-friendly, with simple controls on or near the handle.

• Shadow-free illumination—or at least a design that minimizes shadows as much as possible.

• Mounting options that match the layout of your rooms.

• Comfortable and safe for pets, with adjustable settings you can change as needed, and low heat output.

Here’s what we recommend…

We recommend the new Burton veterinary LED exam light because it checks all the boxes listed above.

Plus, it has a high-quality LED (virtually heat-free and with a 75% energy savings compared to halogen), is assembled in the USA, and is backed by an industry-leading 5-year warranty.

At a competitive price point that optimizes design, performance, and value, it’s pretty hard to pass up!

Why invest in new lighting?

As we said, lighting is often overlooked in terms of equipment upgrades…

But, just think of how many times per day you’ll use a good-quality light in your exam rooms or dental area.

In terms of cost per use, that can make new lighting a great investment—something you’ll benefit from using many times per day.

And if your new light makes your life easier in terms of visualizing the patient and making accurate medical notes… that’s an investment that could save you time and headaches, and be well worth it!

Vomiting in Cats: Finding the Cause

Cats are good at hiding illness and pain. So, for some feline patients, it’s hard to tell what’s behind a bout of vomiting. 

A few of the many possible causes include:

• Hairballs.

• Food sensitivities.

• Dietary indiscretion.

• Infections or parasites.

• Stress.

• Pain.

• GI foreign bodies.

• Inflammatory conditions.

• Internal issues such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism.

• Cancer.

Is it serious?

Often, it’s obvious whether the patient needs aggressive treatment right away or just needs a little bit of supportive care and observation at home.

However, other times it’s more difficult to know for sure. Those are the cases that may stay on your mind, making you wonder if the vomiting will continue or even become more severe.

It’s especially nerve-wracking if the patient went home for observation, but you’re concerned they may get worse overnight.

Reaching a diagnosis

Depending on the patient’s signalment, history, and physical exam findings, you’ll recommend the appropriate diagnostic tests.

Bloodwork

Bloodwork is a key factor in determining overall health status, and in establishing a baseline to monitor the patient for improvement or worsening of their condition.

These labs may be especially valuable in senior cats who have lost weight, when kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or other internal medicine issues may be what comes to mind as the most likely diagnosis.

Imaging with x-rays and ultrasound

For some patients—especially if the vomiting is severe, or if you feel something abnormal on abdominal palpation—imaging may be needed right away. For patients with milder signs, you may decide to hold off on imaging at the first visit, but recommend the client bring their cat back if symptoms don’t improve.

And even if an obvious abnormality is noted on bloodwork (such as elevated thyroid hormone), imaging is still a good idea to rule out concurrent conditions, and to establish a baseline to compare any changes that show up on future imaging tests.

Either way, when it comes to imaging, radiographs are a good place to start. 

Radiographs give you a good overview of what’s going on inside the abdomen. You can look for masses, abnormal-looking organs, constipation, bladder issues, pyometra, signs of a GI obstruction, and much more.

However, sometimes more information is needed. Often, x-rays and ultrasound work well together to give you the full picture.

Ultrasound gives you additional clues about soft tissue structures, including:

• Differentiating a mass (size, what the borders look like, texture, thickness, etc.) from surrounding normal soft tissues. Silhouetting may make this interpretation challenging on x-ray images.

• Viewing bladder stones that aren’t radiopaque.

• Looking at small structures that are hard to see on x-rays, such as the adrenal glands.

• Inflammation of the GI tract or other internal organs.

• Finding evidence of a GI obstruction when it’s not obvious on radiographs (or, ruling out an obstruction—which may help you worry less if you decide to send the patient home for monitoring).

The list goes on, but the point is, x-rays and ultrasound can complement each other to give you the information you need, which can help you confidently diagnosis the mysterious vomiting cat.

Additional tests

Sometimes additional tests—for example, biopsies and infectious disease testing—may be needed to reach a diagnosis.

However, bloodwork, x-rays, and ultrasound are a great place to start. And often, these modalities will need to be completed prior to other modalities such as surgically obtained biopsies.

Lifestyle changes and monitoring

If the vomiting is due to a factor such as stress or hairballs, this may require a simple lifestyle change like providing Feliway diffusers and adding mental enrichment at home, or changing to a special diet.

But even in these cases, it’s good to rule out other, treatable medical causes—so a medical workup with diagnostic tests may still be recommended.

Keeping the vomiting at bay

If you have a patient with a chronic condition, you may recommend repeating the bloodwork, x-rays, and ultrasound at regular intervals.

A wellness checkup package that includes testing may be a good option for many patients—especially seniors. The wellness tests can be offered at checkups before the patient ever becomes ill, which gives you a great baseline for comparison with future test results.

Even though cats may not like to show symptoms of illness until a disease has progressed, wellness bloodwork and imaging (x-rays and ultrasound) can help to catch abnormalities early on, when the chances for treatment are better.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

Positioning Tips for Dental Radiographs

When it comes to evaluating a pet’s teeth, dental x-rays are the best way to see what’s happening “under the surface.” That is, under the gumline.

Dental radiographs help you obtain a full picture of tooth roots, evaluate for periodontal disease and damage, differentiate between different types of FORLs, and look for any other defects that may not be visible with your eyes alone.

Even though the value of dental radiographs (to both your patients and your practice) is hard to deny, there can be a learning curve when your team first begins to use them.

This is important, because in order for your x-ray images to be diagnostic, they need to be good quality.

Fortunately, with practice, dental x-rays become simple and routine—a process your team can quickly replicate for each patient.

Establishing a Dental X-Ray Routine

To make the dental radiograph process easy for you and your team—and as quick as possible for your patients—it’s best to establish a repeatable routine.

This means taking the same shots, in the same order, each time. 

You may need a larger number of views depending on the patient’s size and the angle of their mouth, but in general you can start in the same place each time and move through your views systematically until images of all teeth and their roots are captured.

Use your digital software to set up the views in the order you prefer. 

Once you establish a routine, it will only take a few minutes to shoot all views for a small patient. And large dogs should take a maximum of 15-20 minutes.

Positioning the Patient

Your patients will be under general anesthesia for their dental procedure, including dental x-rays.

After intubation, leave the patient in sternal recumbency, and simply place a towel under their chin to keep their maxilla parallel to the table. Then obtain your views of the maxillary teeth. 

When you finish the views of the maxilla, move the patient to dorsal recumbency, this time using a towel or other prop under their neck to keep the mandible parallel to the table as you obtain your views of the mandibular teeth.

You can use a trough or sandbags to stabilize the patient and keep them from tilting to the side, if needed.

Adjust this plan if you find that another method better suits your needs. For example, you may find that lateral recumbency works best for you for some views. 

Whatever system you choose, we recommend repeating the same steps each time and using a method that minimizes the number of times you need to move the patient.

Sensor or Film Placement

Select the right size sensor or film for your patient. For most veterinary patients, this would be either a size 2 (for small dogs and cats, or views focusing on a single tooth) or a size 4 (for large dogs, or for full-mouth/whole quadrant radiographic views).

Whether you’re using a sensor for digital x-rays, or regular dental film, placement is important to ensure you can see all of each tooth root. Remember the roots are much longer than the crowns (twice as long with canine teeth), so position your sensor accordingly. 

Finally, determine which side of the sensor or film should be positioned toward the x-ray beam. This may be indicated by a small dot or “dimple” on films. If you have a digital sensor, the cord side should face away from the tube and the cord should exit the front of the patient’s mouth.

Beam Placement

A parallel angle is used for the mandibular premolar and molar teeth. For many pets, this part of the mouth allows the sensor to be placed parallel to the teeth, and the beam to be shot straight forward (perpendicular) into the sensor.

The rest of the mouth, however, prevents this placement (the palate and mandibular symphysis get in the way). So, you’ll need to use a bisecting angle for the rest of your shots (and possibly for the rostral mandibular premolars).

A bisecting angle might seem complicated, but it’s important—choosing the correct angle prevents distortion (lengthening or shortening of the tooth root in your image).

Here is how to determine the bisecting angle:

• Position the sensor within the mouth behind the teeth you want to x-ray, as if the patient is biting on it (use gauze or other aids to hold the mouth open so there is no pressure from the teeth that could damage the sensor). 

• Estimate the angle between the tooth root and the plate.

• Divide this angle in half, and draw an imaginary line with your mind. 

• Position the x-ray beam perpendicular (at a right angle, or 90 degrees) to this line you’ve just imagined.

If the tooth root is too long on your image, raise the angle of the tube relative to the sensor. If the root is too short, lower the angle of the beam (move it more parallel toward the sensor). 

Developing a Simplified Technique

Using a simplified technique can allow you to skip the bisecting angle measurement. For example, one described technique uses just three angles for all oral views…

• 90 degrees for mandibular molars/premolars.

• 70 degrees for maxillary molars/premolars.

• 45 degrees for canines and incisors.

Since you can position these angles on your tube head without measuring (many units have predetermined angles marked by the tube head), this makes positioning much easier and faster for you and your staff.

Exceptions, Views of Specific Teeth, and Further Training

These guidelines are a good starting point for many patients. But, you may find you need to adjust your views to accommodate certain dogs and cats, depending on the shape of their mouth and tooth roots.

Cats in particular may need steeper angles than dogs to minimize interference from the zygomatic arch. And some patients will have tooth roots that curve significantly.

For all of these reasons, and for the benefit of hands-on experience, it helps to schedule a demo of your equipment, or to find an in-person training opportunity for your staff. That way, you can maximize your return on investment by using your dental radiography unit to its fullest potential.

Any time spent developing the proper technique for positioning will be well worth it, as you’ll be able to quickly take views that aid your treatment decisions and deliver value to your clients.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

Bad Breath Can Mean Trouble

Bad breath, or halitosis, is one of those health problems that’s easy for pet parents to overlook.

Sure, it’s inconvenient. Stinky breath can certainly put a damper on a pet owner’s cuddle time or other interactions with their dog or cat.

However, many pet owners don’t realize that halitosis can mean something much worse… such as periodontal disease, or even an internal problem.

As a veterinarian, you know this very well—but it can be a challenge to communicate the dangers lying “under the surface” when it comes to bad breath.

Explaining halitosis to pet parents

The first step is figuring out where the bad breath is coming from, and explaining the potential risks to clients.

Dental problems such as periodontal disease are the most common cause of bad breath in pets. But sometimes, halitosis begins somewhere in the body other than the mouth.

Possible sources of halitosis include…

• Periodontal disease and other dental issues.

• A health condition such as kidney disease (an ammonia-like or unpleasant smell) or diabetic ketoacidosis (more of a sweet smell).

• Respiratory diseases.

• Digestive issues or dietary indiscretions.

• Objects (like branches or chicken bones) stuck somewhere in the mouth.

• Oral neoplasias.

• Certain toxins.

Based on your patient’s history and physical exam, you’ll determine the most likely cause of the bad breath, and decide if diagnostic testing is needed. 

If the patient in front of you seems otherwise healthy but has obvious terrible dental disease, you can probably assume the smell (or at least, a large portion of the smell) is coming directly from their mouth.

And if a dental procedure is indicated, you’ll likely do pre-op bloodwork, which will help to confirm the patient is otherwise healthy. 

A recap of periodontal disease

It all starts with plaque, that thin film that forms on teeth due to food and saliva. We get plaque as humans, too, but fortunately, plaque can be removed by tooth brushing.

If not brushed away, plaque hardens into calculus (tartar) within as little as 24-36 hours. Then, it accumulates more and more over time and harbors bacteria. Calculus can’t be removed by toothbrushing alone.

Soon, this calculus (and its resident bacteria) become very irritating to the gums—and they like to grow below the gum line, where it’s harder to observe the process visually. This results in gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease (a disease process affecting the structures that hold teeth in place) where the gums become red and inflamed and may bleed.

From here, as the periodontal disease worsens, it creates pockets in the gumline, destruction of the periodontal ligament, and even bone loss in the maxilla and mandible. In severe cases, this bone loss can cause jaw fractures.

This all leads to pain and tooth loss. And, opportunistic bacteria may enter the bloodstream via inflamed gums, traveling to and causing problems in organs such as the heart or kidneys.

Reminding clients of the dangers of periodontal disease can help them understand their pet’s bad breath is true health and quality of life problem—not just an inconvenience.

Evaluating and treating dental and periodontal disease

Your initial pre-op exam will be done while the patient is awake—ideally with the owner present so you can show them what you’re seeing.

However, awake exams don’t allow for a full oral assessment. And, dogs or cats who are painful might not let you get a good look.

So you’ll make a dental cleaning estimate based on your initial exam but explain to the client that the full assessment will be done during the procedure.

This assessment should include dental radiographs. Since much of the disease process starts below the gumline, x-rays are the only way to see the full extent of damage from periodontal disease.

Some patients will just need routine cleaning, while others may need significant dental extractions. And, you can talk to your clients about continuing dental care at home through tooth brushing and dental treats.

By providing this valuable service, you’ll be not only keeping your canine and feline patients in great health—but also increasing the human-animal bond by preventing halitosis from interfering with the quality time between a pet and their owner.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

How and Where To Buy Used Veterinary Equipment

During the economic fallout of this unprecedented global pandemic, it’s more important than ever for businesses to stretch their dollars as far as they will go. 

Buying used equipment is a budget-friendly way to purchase high-quality machines and supplies—so you can operate and upgrade your practice the way you want to. 

More importantly, you can buy on a friendly, community-based platform that removes all headaches about negotiating, shipping, and payments—so you can securely get the equipment you need without taking time away from your busy schedule.

In case you’re not already familiar with it, we recommend you visit: usedvetequipment.com. 

This website was started because veterinarians needed a marketplace just for their industry—somewhere to easily buy and sell quality used veterinary equipment from trusted colleagues. 

Here’s what one happy buyer had to say:

“I purchased a digital x-ray system through usedvetequipment.com. The transaction was smooth. I would not have taken the chance without the third party mediator. Brad did a great job and the sellers were great to work with. I would not hesitate to use this service again.”

—Mark Robinson, DVM Montana

Here are a few advantages that usedvetequipment.com offers to you as a veterinarian buyer…

• Quality. On the site, you’ll find products from top manufacturers such as Abaxis, Shoreline, Heska, SurgiVet, Cardell, Welch Allen, Idexx, and much more.

• Choices. Whether you’re looking to invest in something as large as a full radiology unit, or something as small as a laryngoscope or warming pad, you can find it on usedvetequipment.com. 

There are far too many examples to list here, but other items recently sold include endoscopes, Dopplers, stem cell therapy equipment, surgical tools, cages and floor grates, exam lift tables, and much more.

• Easy Payment Options. You’ll be emailed an invoice for convenient online payment.

• Good for Animals and the Environment. Reusing and repurposing equipment is not only a great way for the veterinary community to share resources to improve animal care everywhere—it can also help keep materials out of landfills.

• Safety and Security. We’ve found the veterinary community to be honest in their descriptions of the equipment they are selling—and the standard buying process lets you inspect the equipment upon arrival before your payment is processed.

• Stellar Service. Just check the site, and you’ll find reviews from tons of happy buyers and sellers!

If you’re ready to get started, head over to usedvetequipment.com. 

Here are some things to keep in mind as you shop…

• Compare your options. If there’s more than one listing for the equipment you need (a common scenario), search around and make obligation-free offers. And if you’re not in a big hurry, search over time to see what else pops up.

• Ask Questions. This isn’t a big, faceless online store—instead, it’s all about community! You’re free to reach out to sellers with any questions you may have and to ask us about the details of shipping and payments. 

• Expect the Best Experience. The goal is for you to feel comfortable (and very happy!) with your purchase.

More interested in SELLING equipment rather than buying? Check out our next article, which will have detailed suggestions for how to successfully sell on usedvetequipment.com.

Until then, take a look around the site to browse what’s available, and be sure to bookmark usedvetequipment.com in case you need to come back to it to make a purchase in the future.

Wishing you good luck in your search—we’re sure you’ll find just the right equipment you need for all the services you’d like to offer at your practice. 

A community marketplace like this is the perfect place to buy and sell with colleagues as you build the practice of your dreams.

“… 10,000 times better than any eBay / Amazon kind of purchase! We will definitely look here 1st for future purchases.”

—Sandy Pamplin, Manager Pleasanton Road Animal Hospital San Antonio, Texas

“I recently purchased a film processor through Used Vet Equipment. I was very impressed with the website- pics and descriptions. I received a quick response to my questions. Brad was very professional and thorough in handling the transaction through delivery and tracking info. He made sure I was completely satisfied with the product. I would definitely do business here again! 5-star rating!”

—D Davis, Colorado

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

Find Those Urinary Bladder Stones

Sometimes, diagnosing urinary bladder stones in dogs and cats is simple: one set of x-rays and the mineral-dense uroliths glow bright white on your viewing screen.

Other times, it’s not so straightforward… especially for small or radiolucent stones.

Here’s how radiographs and ultrasound can be used to help you find pesky, hard-to-view bladder stones.

Are bladder stones on your differential diagnosis list?

Bladder stones may be at the forefront of your mind if you see a dog or cat who’s…

• Having blood in their urine.

• Urinating more frequently, and in short streams.

• Having urinary accidents in the home.

• Straining or experiencing pain during urination.

• Excessively grooming around their genitals.

Usually, a client will bring their pet into you for these concerns, and your physical exam will help to determine that there’s no urinary obstruction.

With urinary bladder stones, you may notice some discomfort on palpation of the caudal abdomen. On a cat or small dog, you may even feel stones or crepitus in the area of the bladder. 

Some patients, on the other hand, may exhibit minimal symptoms and their physical exam may be normal (sometimes bladder stones are an incidental finding).

Either way, most pets will need some type of imaging to confirm that bladder stones are there. Radiographs are a great place to start…

Finding uroliths via radiographs

In addition to any other needed tests—such as a urine analysis or bloodwork—radiographs are often recommended for pets with urinary symptoms, in order to look for uroliths or other abnormalities.

Typically, you’ll start with two simple views of the abdomen—a lateral and a VD. 

Take a close look at the urinary bladder to look for radiopaque stones, which should show up as a white opacity relative to soft tissues thanks to their mineral composition.

Stones can range in size from small sand-like grains to more than two inches across. There may be just one or two stones present… or a small group… or even more than 100.

Remember to check the urethra for small stones that could be stuck—especially if the patient is straining or in pain during urination.

For better visualization of the entire urethra in male dogs, consider taking another lateral view with the hindlimbs pulled forward.

Also, check the kidneys and the areas of the ureters. While much less common in pets than in people, occasionally uroliths may be seen higher up in the urinary tract.

If you see stones now—you have your answer.

If you suspect urinary bladder stones but still don’t see them, a contrast study may allow better visualization.

For finding bladder stones, a double-contrast study is ideal.

This includes using both a positive contrast agent (soluble iodinated contrast medium) and a negative contrast agent (room air, or ideally carbon dioxide to reduce the risk of an air embolus) in the bladder together.

Anesthesia or sedation may be needed for the patient’s safety and comfort since the contrast agents are administered via a urinary catheter.

In addition to radiographs, an ultrasound is a useful tool…

Finding uroliths via ultrasound

An ultrasound study is another great option for finding bladder stones, especially radiolucent ones.

The fluid-filled bladder provides contrast for the ultrasound waves so that stones can be found (and often emphasized by acoustic shadowing). 

Besides radiolucent stones, you may also see…

• Bladder stones (radiopaque or radiolucent) that were too small to visualize radiographically (smaller than 1-3mm).

• Other problematic issues in the bladder, such as ‘sludge’ buildup in cats with crystalluria.

• Damage to the urinary bladder itself, such as inflammation.

• The condition of the upper urinary tract—the kidneys and ureters.

• Unexpected findings, such as tumors or anatomical abnormalities of the bladder.

Because of this, ultrasound imaging is a valuable tool for helping you diagnose and treat problems of the bladder, including urinary stones.

Follow-up

Depending on your findings, you may recommend a diet change for dissolvable stones, or a cystotomy to remove the stones.

For dissolution, follow-up imaging can help to track the patient’s progress and see whether or not the stone is dissolving.

When a cystotomy is recommended, remember to use imaging on the day of surgery…

Take pre-op radiographs to confirm the stones are still there, and that your urinary catheter is in place.

Include post-op views to confirm and document that all stones were successfully removed.

Since most stones are radiopaque, standard radiographs are a good option for follow-ups—and typically the imaging choice on the day of surgery.

But ultrasound can also be used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests to monitor the health of the urinary system long-term and to look for early signs of a problem such as a reoccurrence of stones.

Catching stones early, when they’re small, may allow less invasive treatment options such as voiding urohydropropulsion.

With the right combination of imaging modalities, you can help your clients stay on top of treating, monitoring, and preventing urinary bladder stones in their pets.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Ultrasound vs. X-Rays for Monitoring Dog and Cat Pregnancies

When it comes to pregnancy in pets, sometimes it’s hard for clients to wait… 

They want to know right away whether there are puppies/kittens present… how many there are… and if the babies are doing OK.

It’s understandable—whether this is a professional breeder or a pet parent who’s decided to proceed with a litter, the arrival of new puppies and kittens is an exciting time.

There are a few ways to check for pregnancy in dogs and cats. Each method has its own pros and cons, which you can explain to your clients to help set up realistic expectations and develop a plan that best suits their pet’s needs.

Early pregnancy checks may include…

Abdominal palpation

• This method of pregnancy detection can yield information as soon as 3-4 weeks into the 9-week pregnancy.

• Abdominal palpation has been used by vets for many years—and can often result in the detection of fetal “bumps.”

• However, this method isn’t always accurate. There are plenty of things that could render palpation inconclusive. For example, in large breeds or overweight dogs, palpation is more difficult. 

Relaxin testing

• Testing for the relaxin hormone—a hormone unique to pregnancy—can be performed as soon as 20 days into gestation. 

• This test gives your client a very important “yes or no” answer—and helps to distinguish between true pregnancy versus pseudopregnancy—but it doesn’t provide information on how many fetuses are present.

The next test to consider is an abdominal ultrasound. 

Canine and Feline Abdominal Ultrasound

The procedure of abdominal ultrasound in veterinary medicine involves examining the internal organs of dogs and cats. To begin the ultrasound study, transverse scanning is performed to locate the urinary bladder and colon, with the uterine body positioned between them.

Once the uterine body is identified, the scan is directed cranially towards each kidney, following the uterine horn towards the ovary. Along this path, each fetus can be identified by its appearance as a round, fluid-filled gestational sac.

Compared to other imaging methods like X-rays, abdominal ultrasound offers several advantages in veterinary practice.

One significant advantage is the ability to confirm pregnancy several weeks earlier than X-rays. Typically, an ultrasound is performed around 30 days into the pregnancy, although it's possible to detect a pregnancy as early as 20 days. At 30 days, it becomes easier to detect fetal heartbeats.

In addition to early pregnancy detection, ultrasound provides other valuable benefits for veterinarians, including:

1. Counting the number of puppies or kittens: The ideal time for this is between 30 and 35 days of pregnancy. After 50 days, the uterine horns may overlap, making it more challenging to accurately count the fetuses.

2. Assessing fetal viability: Ultrasound can confirm the presence of viable fetuses by detecting their heartbeats or movement.

3. Predicting gestation duration: Measurements of fetal size or certain anatomical structures can help estimate the gestation duration.

Another advantage of abdominal ultrasound in veterinary practice is its ability to involve clients in the process. Unlike X-rays, clients can be present during the ultrasound, allowing them to witness the heartbeats of the puppies or kittens.

This experience enhances the bond between the client and their pet, as well as strengthens their connection to the veterinary practice.

However, in the later stages of pregnancy, X-rays also play a valuable role in veterinary medicine. X-rays provide more information when the fetuses have developed significant skeletal structures, usually around 45 to 55 days after breeding.

At this stage, a single set of X-rays is safer for the fetuses compared to earlier in the pregnancy.

Radiographs (X-rays) are particularly useful for:

1. Confirm the fetal count.

2. Assessing the size ratio between the fetal skulls and the pelvic canal. This information helps in planning for potential dystocia and the need for a C-section.

As a veterinary practitioner, you have various diagnostic tools at your disposal to detect and monitor a healthy pregnancy in dogs and cats.

By utilizing the best combination of methods, you can reassure your clients along the way, and increase the chances of a healthy delivery of puppies or kittens!

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

Radiographs for CCL Injuries and TPLO Surgery

When it comes to cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries in your patients, x-rays play a key role in your diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

So whether you’re the surgeon performing the procedure or a GP referring your patient to a specialist, having a good understanding of what to look for on your radiographic images can help you provide great patient care.

It all starts when the patient first comes in to see you…

The initial visit

More than likely, you’ll be seeing a middle-aged, medium or large breed dog who suddenly started limping on one of their hind limbs.

During the exam, you determine that the pain is in the stifle. Then, using sedation, you perform more thorough palpation, followed by radiographs.

Your detailed exam of the knee reveals some swelling and a positive drawer sign, and you take x-rays to confirm your suspicion of a CCL tear.

Considering this is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs, you’re probably correct. However, occasionally there may be a surprise—such as a fracture near the stifle, or even an osteosarcoma lesion for older patients.

Radiographs will help you correctly diagnose and document the problem, and rule out concurrent conditions.

With a recent CCL injury, you might not see a lot of obvious evidence on your views—that’s because it can take more time for radiographic evidence of a CCL problem to show up.

However, you will likely see compression of the infrapatellar fat pad—which indicates joint effusion.

If the condition is chronic, you may notice arthritis and other signs of long-term inflammation.

Planning for a TPLO surgery

If your patient is a good candidate for surgery, then it’s time to discuss options with the owner. A tibial plateau leveling osteotomy is a good option for many otherwise-healthy dogs, but of course, the recommendation may vary for each individual pet.

Now’s the time when pre-op radiographs come in, by helping you to measure the tibial plateau angle and determine the saw blade size and position of the bone plate and screws.

The importance of post-op radiographs

After a surgery such as a TPLO, it’s important to document that everything went well—that all implants are in place, the tibial plateau has been repositioned as planned, and that there were no complications such as bone splintering.

This will be very reassuring to a worried pet parent, and will also be a valuable part of your medical record.

These post-op radiographs can also provide more information if a problem or complication comes up later, by using these initial images as a frame of reference for comparison.

Radiographs are useful if complications arise

More than likely, your patient is doing great. In that case, follow-up x-rays will help you confirm and document that the bone has healed as expected.

However, if they do run into any problems—such as an infection or a fracture—an additional set of radiographs can help you diagnose the issue and treat it ASAP. And follow-up rads will allow you to monitor the patient’s healing progress and their response to treatment.

Basically, radiographs give you an “inside view” throughout the whole process of diagnosing and treating a CCL injury, and are useful for common surgical options such as a TPLO.

Digital radiographs are especially helpful in terms of sensitivity for soft tissues such as a joint space, and also for providing rapid results within seconds.

But no matter which radiology equipment you choose, your X-ray images will provide valuable information for diagnosis and treatment of CCL—for happy patients and clients.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

Vertebral Heart Score: How and Why to Calculate One

A vertebral heart score (VHS) is a measurement used to determine if a patient’s heart is enlarged.

The VHS can provide valuable insight to complete your clinical picture, especially at times when you hear a heart murmur, for a general pre-anesthetic check, or to look for cardiac changes on breeds that are predisposed. 

It’s a simple, non-invasive way to get more information and to monitor for changes over time.

How to calculate a vertebral heart score

1. Obtain a high-quality lateral thoracic radiograph. Be sure…

   • To collimate.

   • That the patient is straight and not twisted or at an angle.

   • That you can see enough detail, especially the thoracic vertebrae and the borders of the cardiac silhouette.

2. Make your first measurement along the longest axis of the cardiac silhouette, from the ventral border of the carina of the mainstem bronchus to the apex of the cardiac silhouette.

   • You don’t need to measure this in centimeters or inches—instead, just hold up a sheet of paper to your x-ray viewer and make a mark for your measurement, or use calipers. Or, with your digital x-ray system, use the VHS function to mark the measurement right on your screen.

3. Now, hold the measurement up to the vertebrae, starting with the cranial edge of T4—this is the 4th vertebra to have a rib connected. Count the number of vertebrae (including the vertebral body and the following disc space) that fall into the long axis measurement.

   • Measure to a decimal place of 0.1 (for example, let’s say your first measurement was 5.2 vertebrae).

4. Make your second measurement. This time, you’ll measure along the short axis, which is the widest part of the cardiac silhouette. It should be perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to your first measurement.

5. Repeat the process of transferring this measurement to the thoracic vertebrae, starting with the cranial edge of T4. For this example, let’s say your measurement was 4.5 vertebrae.

6. Add these two numbers together.

• In this example, your VHS would be 5.2 + 4.5 = 9.7 

How to interpret the results

For dogs, a normal vertebral heart score is less than 10.7 (with an average range of 8.5 to 10.5). For cats, an average VHS is 7.5 (with a range of 6.8 to 8.1).

Anything larger than that is considered abnormal.

Of course, this doesn’t tell you exactly what’s going on—you’ll need further information such as an echocardiogram to determine whether there is DCM, HCM, or some other issue causing the enlargement of the cardiac silhouette.

However, the VHS is a great screening tool to let you know to investigate further. And, if you have a patient who already has cardiac disease, a VHS can help you monitor their disease progression over time, and provide tangible information to a client who wants to know how their pet is doing on treatment.

Keep in mind that, as with any diagnostic tool, there is some individual variation. Some pets—especially certain breeds such as boxers—may fall outside the normal VHS range even if they’re completely healthy.

So, look at the overall clinical picture when assessing a patient. But with that in mind, a VHS is a quick, easy, valuable addition to your toolkit when it comes to evaluating and monitoring cardiac health.

Vetebral heart score tool video

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

How to X-Ray a Cat Safely Without Sedation or Anesthesia

If you’ve ever tried to radiograph a fractious cat without sedation or anesthesia, then you know what a difficult challenge it can be.

In addition to blurry, crooked, non-diagnostic images, maybe you or your team members received some scratches and scars to show for the experience.

So, it’s understandable you might not want to try that again—both for your safety and for the cat’s safety.

However, there are some situations where you may want to avoid sedation or anesthesia—or, if it can’t be avoided entirely, to use the lowest dose possible to get the results you need—during an x-ray study on a feline patient. For example…

• Cats with advanced heart disease or other conditions that could make sedatives and anesthetic drugs dangerous.

• Patients with kidney disease or other conditions that cause less predictable metabolism of anesthetic drugs—possibly resulting in a cat that’s excessively drowsy for a whole day, and an unhappy client.

• A patient who’s otherwise friendly and great to work with, just very wiggly for their x-ray shots. A few tweaks may make the experience more comfortable for them and make sedation unnecessary.

• Contrast studies such as a barium GI study, where the patient has to be awake to avoid aspiration of the barium.

Of course, sometimes sedation or anesthesia may be safer, decreasing the kitty’s stress and risk of injury.

Only you know what’s best, using your clinical judgment. However, if you do have a situation where it’s worthwhile to try the radiographs WITHOUT sedation or anesthesia, here are a few tips…

Tips to get diagnostic radiographs on an awake cat

• Practice feline-centered protocols from the beginning.

• Have team members use quiet voices throughout the clinic, especially near the x-ray room or area.

• Use pheromone products, including diffusers or spraying the products directly on towels your patient will be in contact with.

• Lock the door to the x-ray room or area if possible. That way, no one will walk in by surprise and cause your patient to suddenly look in the direction of a swinging door.

• Give the cat a place to hide between views and try to complete the views as quickly as possible. Less time is usually better when it comes to felines. Try a test view to confirm your settings, and then either use digital radiographs or if using film shoot all views at once and then develop them while the cat is resting comfortably in a kennel or carrier. 

• If the patient is just too stressed that day and it’s not an urgent matter, consider rescheduling. Sometimes starting fresh—having the kitty return first thing in the morning and completing the radiographs quickly—is better for you and the patient (and the client may feel better about it when they see the decreased stress level in their pet).

• Make the cat as comfortable as possible during radiographs. For example, use a trough for VD views—it’s a lot more comfortable for them than having their spine right up against the x-ray table.

• Remember the machine’s noise. Many cats are fine during positioning, but then panic, wriggle and squirm once they hear the whirring and “beep” that happen when you push the button to take the shot. To avoid this problem, try talking to the cat in soothing tones, or have another background noise such as a white noise machine or calm music. That way, the sudden noise from the machine won’t stand out so much compared to the other background noises.

Remember, making the whole experience less stressful for the cat can also make everything less stressful for you and your staff.

So if possible, making a little extra effort to accommodate a feline patient can help you get diagnostic views more quickly, with a better time for everyone.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM 

What Is an Over-Exposed X-Ray, and Why Does It Matter?

In the last blog post, we talked about under-exposed radiographs and how to get better results.

But, it’s important to remember that overcompensating too far in the other direction can give you a problem in the other extreme: that is, over-exposed images.

This is basically the opposite of an overly white or light radiograph. Instead, the image may appear “burnt out,” and overly dark or black, making it difficult to see all the information you need to make your diagnosis.

Over-exposed radiographs can make your life difficult because of the obliteration of normal anatomy

An over-exposure usually means the x-ray beam was too powerful, and that a larger percentage of x-rays passed through the patient’s tissues to reach the film or plate. So, rather than seeing information about the patient, you end up with a blackened image with not nearly enough detail. 

Some structures, such as small blood vessels in the thorax, might not be visible at all.

In other words, over-exposure could cause you to miss important lesions or interfere with your interpretation of normal anatomical structures.

Reasons why your radiographs might be over-exposed

Here are some possible culprits…

• An error in technique (kVp or mAs settings).

• A machine or equipment error.

• Using grid technique without a grid.

• Variations in screens.

• Too short of a distance between the x-ray source and the film or plate.

Also, scatter radiation can contribute to darkening an already over-exposed image.

What to do about over-exposed images

To decrease your radiograph procedure time and minimize x-ray exposure to patients and staff, it’s best to get your shots right the first time. But if your images are overexposed, try…

• Using a “hot light.” Sometimes, an overexposed radiograph can still be read by holding it up to an extra bright light known as a “hot light.” 

However, if that doesn’t work, you will probably need to retake the radiograph. Here are some tips for getting a better shot the next time…

• Adjust your settings. Typically, lighter images can be obtained by lowering the kVp or mAs.

• Check for errors in technique, such as using or not using a grid setting.

• Collimate. That way, you reduce the area of the primary beam and reduce scatter radiation, giving your image an overall better quality.

• Measure patients in the position they will be in during the shot. For example, when taking a lateral thorax view, the thorax may be thinner when the patient is laying on their side than it was when they were standing up. If that happens, your settings would probably be too high based on the measurement obtained from a standing patient.

Also, be sure to follow these general tips for producing good X-ray images…

• Use technique charts for a good starting point for exposure settings. A good technique chart will remove much of the guesswork. 

• Keep your equipment in good repair, including routine maintenance as necessary.

• Consider digital radiography, which can take film development out of the equation, and shorten the waiting time between views (allowing you to adjust settings prior to taking more shots).

• Use appropriate patient restraint to minimize artifacts from movement.

With practice, good quality equipment, and a few tips for adjusting your settings… Getting a properly exposed image doesn’t have to be hard!

And getting the right exposure will help you save time, avoid the headaches of struggling with poor-quality images, and get to your diagnoses faster.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

What Is an Under-Exposed X-Ray, and Why Does It Matter?

When it comes to your x-ray images, there’s a fine balance between too much or too little exposure.

Of course, you’ll always want to use the lowest settings possible to get the image you need, to minimize x-ray exposure to both your patients and your staff. 

But, it’s possible to go too low on your exposure settings—and often that results in an under-exposed, possibly non-diagnostic, image.

Why should you care about an under-exposed x-ray image?

The short answer is because your images will look very light and might not show enough detail or contrast for you to make a diagnosis. An under-exposed radiographic image could mean…

• Increased “noise.” This can show up as cloudiness, mottled areas, or even stripes on the image. In the areas outside of the patient, that’s not necessarily a problem—but extra noise or grainy patterns overlying the area you’re looking at could create artifacts or obscure details.

• White or light radiographs that are difficult to read. An under-exposed radiograph means there was less penetration of the x-ray beam through the patient’s tissues. This results in an x-ray image that looks overly white or light compared to a properly exposed radiograph. That “whitewash” effect can make it more difficult to see certain lesions or abnormalities.

In other words, under-exposure could mean artifacts, non-diagnostic results, or other confusion when it comes to interpreting your films or digital images.

Reasons why your radiographs might be under-exposed

Here are some possible culprits…

• An error in technique (kVp or mAs settings).

• A machine or equipment error.

• Using grids with a non-grid technique.

• Having two films on the same cassette.

• Variations in screens.

• A long-distance between the x-ray source and the film or plate.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it represents good areas to explore for getting better images.

How to get it right the first time

Using the least amount of radiation necessary to get your images is a good practice. However, if your beam isn’t strong enough to produce a diagnostic image, then you’ll have to retake the shots, which produces more potential exposure to patients and staff. 

So, it’s best to get it right the first time. Try these tips…

• Use technique charts. Charts will give you a good starting point for exposure settings, and take out much of the guesswork. Usually, you’ll have to increase kVp or mAs to improve an underexposed image.

• Keep your equipment in good repair, including routine maintenance as necessary.

• Use appropriate patient restraint, whether physical or chemical. This can minimize movement artifact, as well as any changes to tissue density that could happen if a patient moves their body in a way that’s different from when you measured them.

• Consider using digital radiography. This will minimize wait times between views (allowing you to adjust settings prior to taking more shots). 

Digital radiography also prevents errors that come from the film development process. That’s not the same thing as under-exposure… But, taking film development out of the equation does give you one less thing to worry about and makes it faster to troubleshoot if you ever do come across problems with your images.

Have an overexposed radiograph? Check here for more information and tips.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

How to Talk to Pet Owners about Radiographs

“Does he really need an x-ray? Can’t you just give him some medicine and see how he does?

“Why is this so expensive? You just want to make money while my cat is sick!”

As a veterinarian, you’ve probably heard all of this and more.

Of course, most clients want the best for their pets, and many will understand why you want to perform certain tests like radiographs. However, even the most loving of pet parents may show some hesitation or “sticker shock” when you present the estimate…

Often, this isn’t personal. Many pet owners just aren’t prepared for a sudden expense, even if they want to do the best for their furkids. Here are some tips that may help take the conversation in a more positive direction…

Stay calm during the initial reaction

If an owner’s initial response is similar to the examples listed above, try to ignore the knee-jerk reaction to defend yourself. Get comfortable with allowing a moment of uncomfortable silence.

Often, clients will try to fill the silence themselves and offer more of their thoughts and questions. But even if they don’t do this, a quiet moment may give everyone the chance to take a breath and start over, calmly.

Don’t pile onto an owner’s guilt

Of course, you’ll need to explain why the radiographs are important for your treatment decisions, and what dangers exist for the pet if radiographs are delayed. 

However, if a pet owner understands this and is just having trouble affording the x-rays, they’re probably already feeling guilty. This causes them to lash out.

In this case, having empathy during the conversation can really help. Think about your tone of voice, body language, and anything else that may help elicit a productive conversation.

If you make an owner feel understood and accepted, they’re likely to come back to you as soon as they CAN afford the tests, rather than seeking care elsewhere.

Bundle your radiographs when possible

Often, estimates are presented as “a la carte,” with different options presented by cost, line by line. 

While this may work well in some situations, the client may try to pick and choose, asking which items can be eliminated in order to decrease the cost of treatment.

Instead, try estimates that list a total cost, with radiographs included. Some situations where this may work well include:

• Dental procedures with dental rads.

• Senior wellness testing, with bloodwork and screening rads.

• A blocked cat, with x-ray views included as part of the treatment plan.

• For three-view thoracic radiographs, bundle them together rather than listing the individual “per view” charges separately.

Of course, you can still list each item of the treatment plan, so the client knows the value they are receiving. But, list it as a total cost, rather than an itemized estimate.

Explain the benefits and limitations of radiographs

Many pet owners nowadays, especially Millennials, want to be fully involved in their pet’s care—that’s part of the reason why so many owners seek answers from Dr. Google prior to coming for a vet visit.

Those clients will want to receive answers about their pet’s condition right away—so, let the client know that radiographs will help to provide the answers they’re looking for. And since radiographs are available the same day, they can get answers to their concerns very quickly.

On the flip side, also prepare an owner that a radiograph might show normal results. If the pet is feeling well, then the client gets peace of mind. If the pet is ill, further testing may be required—by preparing the owner for this possibility ahead of time, you can avoid upset reactions as much as possible.

Ask about their biggest concern

Even though you probably already know the biggest concerns and questions clients have about x-rays, it never hurts to ask an owner why they’re hesitant. They may appreciate you listening to them, and it saves you time so you can address their biggest concern.

Some examples you may encounter include:

• Finances. In this case, you can suggest third-party financing options, such as Care Credit.

• Fear for their pet’s comfort, or having to leave their pet at the hospital. Here, discuss the procedure. If sedation is used, explain how this can minimize pain. Or, if digital radiographs are used, explain how this allows the views to be done fast so the pet can go home sooner.

Show clients the value you offer, even after the x-rays are finished

Be sure to go over the results of the radiographs with your client. Try using a quiet exam room rather than the treatment area, so they won’t be distracted.

Give the client a brief “x-ray orientation,” so they know which end is toward the pet’s head and what is abdomen versus chest, etc. Then, explain your findings. 

Whenever possible, bring a normal x-ray for comparison, so clients can really see the difference with an abnormal finding.

If you have digital images, share a copy with the client that they can look at after the visit. Offer to let them record you talking about the findings. That way, when the client goes home and shares the findings with their partner or family, everyone is more likely to understand and be on board with your recommendations.

With a little planning of the whole x-ray experience from the client’s perspective, you can make things easier on them—while at the same time, increasing compliance and getting better care for the pets you see.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

Identifying Trauma in X-Rays of Hit-By-Car Patients

It’s been a slow day, and you just got back from lunch. Your first-afternoon appointment is waiting, and you look through their chart, preparing to go into the room… 

All of a sudden, the clinic doors burst open. You hear a big commotion upfront…

You walk up to see what happened and discover a distraught pair of pet owners holding carrying their Border Collie, who’s just been hit by a car.

How to avoid further surprises…

Of course, as a veterinarian, you’re probably used to something like this happening from time to time—panicked pet parents arriving at your clinic with a dog or cat in need. And you’re probably well-prepared to triage and decide what to do next…

However, you’ll want to avoid unpleasant surprises down the line—liked missed diagnoses—by ensuring that you find and plan for unexpected injuries.

For example, maybe that Border Collie has an obviously broken leg and some nasty road rash.

You’ll address those injuries, but first, you’ll explain to the owners that there are other conditions you need to check if their fur kid has just been hit by a car—conditions that could be life-threatening.

What to look for on the x-rays

Your physical exam will help direct you on what to look for. For example, if you feel a painful joint with crepitus, or hear crackles or decreased lung sounds when you auscult the chest, those will be areas you want to explore with radiographs. 

But, even if the lungs sound fine and you don’t find any other obvious abnormalities, it’s always good to evaluate the thorax and abdomen radiographically.

Sometimes, x-rays will need to wait…

For example, if the pet is in critical condition, they need stabilization first. And, you’ll use your judgment on whether sedation is needed and safe, for clearer and more diagnostic x-ray images, as well as for relief from pain and stress.

Then, when you read the radiographs, it’s important to evaluate EVERYTHING on your set of x-ray images. 

The impact of being hit by a car can cause trauma to many different parts of the body all at once, including serious internal injuries.

Here are a few things to check for on your radiographs…

• Pulmonary contusions. A strong trauma to the thorax can cause dangerous bleeding in the lungs, often visible on radiographs as alveolar or interstitial opacities.

• A ruptured bladder and uroabdomen. Look for signs of fluid in the abdomen, especially if you notice bloody urine. Try to visualize the bladder.

• Internal bleeding or damaged organs. If an organ such as the spleen has been injured, you may notice a hemoabdomen (although radiographically, this would be difficult to distinguish from a uroabdomen). In the case of ruptured intestines, you may notice spots of free air in the abdominal cavity.

• Broken bones, including the ribs and vertebrae. Visually trace along the bones one-by-one to be sure no lesions are missed. 

• Dislocations, such as a dislocated hip. Also, check for tail-pull injuries, especially in cats who may get their tail caught under a car’s wheels.

• Diaphragmatic hernia. Look for evidence of intestines or other abdominal organs in the thorax.

• Air or fluid in the pleural space. Seen as gas opacity, or fluid opacity.

• Skull and jaw radiographs if needed—in case of suspected head trauma.

Of course, other abnormalities are possible, too. As you know, pets don’t always “read the book” and clinical practice can be full of surprises! If you’re unsure of something on the films or digital images, it may be good to recheck it down the line to be sure no problems are brewing internally.

The number of views you take will vary depending on the size of the pet.

For emergency situations such as this, it may be worth having digital radiographs, for faster results without waiting for films to develop.

Also, it’s important to take orthogonal views. That way, you get the full pictures and lesions are less likely to be missed.

Re-evaluate and repeat radiographs as needed

This will depend on what you see on the first set of images, in addition to how the pet is doing in real life. Use your best clinical judgment to determine if and when repeat radiographs are needed, and keep the pet under close observation.

If there’s any doubt, consider using contrast studies to obtain more information, too.

By developing a plan for radiographs—and remembering to check everything on the images—you’ll increase the chances of finding unexpected injuries and addressing them earlier. Or, in case the radiographs are normal, you may be able to give more peace of mind to the worried pet owners.

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Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM

Hands-Free X-Rays: The Next Step in Veterinary Safety

Is it time to put restraints on veterinary radiography?

By Julia Bitan, RVT

When Dr. Debrah Berman, a Thornhill veterinarian with over 30 years of experience felt a lump in her tongue, she didn’t think much of it.

Up until that point, her health had been excellent and she was following all current radiology safety regulations such as monitoring her dosimeter values and using all protective equipment.

The diagnosis of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the salivary gland (a type of cancer often associated with excess radiation exposure) came as a shock and made her start questioning the safety of today’s veterinary radiography.

“Since the 1990s, numerous jurisdictions in North America, and worldwide, have strengthened their regulations and best practice guidelines to actively move away from holding patients, in recognition that exposure to scatter radiation poses a risk.”

Outdated regulations

Although there are several provincial and federal laws in place to protect radiation workers in Ontario, the clauses specifically concerning veterinary workers have not been updated since 1990.

According to a veterinary radiography survey conducted in partnership with the Ontario Association of Veterinary

Technicians (OAVT) in April of 2016, 8 out of 10 RVTs still hold their patients during x-rays most of the time, while 7 out of 10 respondents choose to sometimes forgo the use of gloves and other protective equipment simply due to inconvenience.  

Our human radiology counterparts in Ontario are rarely present in the room when x-rays are taken because regulations state that no person should regularly perform manual restraining for x-rays.

Technicians commonly request parents hold their own children if x- rays are required.

Since the 1990s, numerous jurisdictions in North America and worldwide have strengthened their regulations and best practice guidelines to actively move away from holding patients, in recognition that every x-ray taken increases the overall risk of cancer.

Because we don’t see regular reports of veterinary workers dying of radiation exposure, we may naively assume that modern science has overcome the dangers with newer machine design and intensive research.

In reality, current occupational exposure limits are derived from decades-old research and we know that the risk of getting cancer increases with every exposure.

Recent findings do show that extended exposure to a low level of radiation increases the risk of developing leukemia, while radiation-induced cataracts are observed at a much lower radiation dose than previously believed. In veterinary medicine, the damage caused by ionizing radiation is simply too low to be felt right away and the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is much too ambiguous in the context of our profession.

Change is happening

A small number of veterinary clinics in Ontario, including Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital and Referral Center (TVEH), began enforcing a strict no-hold, out-of-the-room x-ray policy to keep their veterinarians and RVTs away from ionizing radiation emitted by the x-ray machines.

TVEH started enforcing the 100% -out-of-the- room radiography six years ago.

RVT Ashley Jenner, head of radiology at TVEH, has developed a number of tools and techniques to make out-of-room x-rays possible.  

“Non-manual veterinary radiography is much easier and faster than most people believe,” Jenner says. “All it takes is proper techniques and some extra tools.”

Jenner uses positioning devices alone on 75% of her cases (non-sedated patients), and sedation on the remainder.

Dr. Debrah Berman is now “cancer-free” and back to practicing veterinary medicine. She now endeavors to obtain all her x-rays using positioning/restraining devices or sedation.

“Radiation exposure is cumulative,” says Berman. “You may not realize until 20 or 30 years down the road that you have received too much. It may take a little more effort, but had I known that I would need to have a quarter of my tongue removed because of cancer and that I'd have permanent nerve damage and varying degrees of chronic pain, I wouldn't hesitate. And, I am one of the lucky ones. We need to protect ourselves”.

Transitioning to non-manual radiography is not always an easy task.

Change is rarely welcomed in our profession and as long as the minimum standards are followed, there is little reason or incentive to change.

We do, however, know there are risks involved with radiation, and alternatives do exist.

A program was created to guide clinics through transitioning to non-manual radiography using different tools and techniques.

The Hands-Free X-Rays Initiative aims to promote awareness and encourage change to current veterinary radiography.

For more information about the program, visit our website - www.handsfreexrays.com.

For comments, feedback or help to bring change to your clinic, please contact us at:

email: info@handsfreexrays.com

Phone - +1 (647) 502-4843.

Written by By Julia Bitan, RVT

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Your Warranty and Service Coverage for Veterinary X-Ray

Today, every veterinarian recognizes the importance of incorporating digital X-rays into their animal hospitals.

A considerable number of them plan to transition from traditional film and chemical X-rays to digital systems this year.

While the initial concern typically revolves around the cost of acquiring a digital X-ray system, it is equally crucial to inquire about the warranty and its coverage.

Here are some pertinent questions to ask the prospective vendor when considering the purchase of a veterinary digital X-ray system:

1. What is the duration of the hardware warranty for my veterinary digital X-ray plate?

2. How long does the software warranty for my veterinary digital X-ray software last?

3. For how long will I receive software upgrades for the X-ray system used in my animal hospital?

4. How long will my veterinarian technicians have access to tech support, enabling them to seek answers to any queries that may arise during the daily implementation of digital X-rays in my animal practice?

5. What are the costs associated with continued phone support, software upgrades, and technical assistance after the warranty period ends?

6. Which entity is responsible for providing software and technical support? Who developed and owns the software?

7. Does the warranty cover labor and shipping expenses, as needed?

8. In the event that my X-ray plate requires repair, will a temporary replacement plate be provided?

It is common for vendors operating in the animal health sector to offer a minimum of a 1-year warranty.

Not all vendors possess ownership of the software that operates their veterinary digital X-ray plate, which holds significant importance. While a digital X-ray plate can remain functional for many years, the software it relies on may become outdated within a short span of time.

An example of this can be observed with Windows XP platforms. Unless companies continually update their software, it becomes incompatible with new computing platforms.

When veterinarians transition from computed radiography (CR) to direct radiography (DR), the predominant issue they encounter is not the failure of the CR system itself but rather the poor performance or lack of support for the software.

This issue is not limited to small companies alone. Renowned brands like Idexx and Sound have discontinued support for their older product lines by ceasing software upgrades.

Our aim is to offer you transparent service and support. Our animal health software has been developed in-house by JPI which has been manufacturing x-ray equipment, writing software, and providing telephone support for these products since 1994.

Here are the responses to the eight frequently asked questions:

1. What is the duration of the hardware warranty for my veterinary digital x-ray plate?

- The hardware warranty lasts for 5 years.

2. How long is the software warranty for my veterinary digital x-ray software?

- The software warranty is also valid for 5 years.

3. For how long will I receive software upgrades for my x-ray system to be used in my animal hospital?

- You will receive software upgrades for 5 years.

4. How long can my veterinarian technicians receive phone support for any questions they may have regarding the daily implementation of digital X-rays in my animal practice?

- Our tech support helpline will be available for your veterinarian technicians for 5 years.

5. What is the cost of continued phone support and software upgrades after the warranty period?

- The cost for continued phone support and software upgrades after the warranty period is $750.00 per year.

6. Who provides the software and tech support? Who developed and owns the software?

- Our Examvue Veterinary software is developed, supported, and owned by JPI. They have been offering industry support since 1994. For technical support, please call 516-513-1330, and select option 2. Our support team is based in New York.

7. Are labor and shipping costs covered under the warranty if needed?

- Yes, labor and shipping costs are included in the warranty as required.

8. Will a loaner plate be provided in case my X-ray plate needs repair?

- Yes, we will provide a loaner plate in the event that your X-ray plate requires repair.

Is the New Digital X-ray System Compatible with Innovet?

Many veterinarians invested in X-ray systems in the ’90s. Most purchased an Innovet Summit table and generator.

They used the table and generator along with cassettes enclosing film to capture X-rays and provide life-saving next steps for their pet patients.

Processing the film in the chemical rinse and developing the images in the darkroom enabled the practicing veterinarian to review the X-ray.

If the X-ray proved complicating or just interesting then the veterinarian would mail the X-ray to a specialist for a review or save the X-ray case for the next ‘radiology rounds’ in upcoming weeks and months.

During these radiology rounds, X-ray cases would be reviewed amongst veterinarian piers and sometimes even veterinary radiologist.

Even if the patient was deceased by the time of the review huge advances in pet medicine were and still are to this day applied.

If you're reading this you use to film with your old X-ray generator and table. You want to impact the neighborhood and village who depend on precise and timely diagnosis to treat their pets.

Digital X-rays can speed up the process not only of image acquisition but also provide clear diagnostic radiology rounds.

Most old tables and generators still can produce excellent X-rays.

Often times these old systems have new light bulb collimators and replaced fuses that enable the old workhorse to continue to provide the power for an X-ray.

Yes, you can use your old table and generator with two types of digital X-rays.

The first is computed radiography or CR which will work today with any generator as the image is captured on an erasable film cassette then scanned into the software where the digital image can now be interrupted, adjusted or emailed to pet owners.

The next is an AED cesium plate. Automatic exposure detection.

This allows the plate to prepare itself for the exposure to capture the image and send in second the inmate to the display monitor.

This is the newest way to capture X-rays.

Not having to wire the old X-ray system to the new digital X-ray system is a confinement advantage.

It removes an element of future failure in hardware by eliminating the interference box!

We can help answer more questions surrounding your old X-ray table and generator.

Reach out today and we would be happy to help.