Seth Wallack, DVM, DACVR

Reading radiographs and crime scene investigation require similar skills. Both require identifying a victim, crime, considering the most likely suspects, looking for clues and then building your case or "telling the story". Sticking to these principles will result in a higher conviction rate.

Interpretation of radiographic findings must take patient age and breed into account. Both cats and dogs have typical or age acceptable juvenile and geriatric findings that should not be assumed pathologic. The following is a partial list of age and breed acceptable thoracic findings.

Radiology is a technology driven and technology is rapidly changing. Knowing what is coming soon can alter the diagnostic options we offer clients but keeping up on all the technology can be a full time job. In veterinary radiology we are currently in a digital radiography hotbed.

I'm not telling you something you don't already know when I write that radiographs are not the end all for diagnostic imaging. X-rays were discovered in 1895 and as with any old technology it is typically the least informative. Newer imaging technologies will always provide more information.

GI issues are a common occurrence in the ER and assessment of these cases typically involves imaging, radiographs and/or ultrasound. While obtaining abdominal radiographs is a common and somewhat uncomplicated occurrence, interpretation of abdominal radiographs is anything but.

Abdominal, non-GI issues are frequent in the ER and assessment of these cases typically involves imaging, radiographs and/or ultrasound. While obtaining abdominal radiographs is a common and somewhat uncomplicated occurrence, interpretation of abdominal radiographs is anything but.