Changes

[[Image:Xray_liz.jpg|150px|thumb|right|(Copyirght © RVC. All rights reserved)]]

[[Image:Xray_liz.jpg|150px|thumb|right|(Copyirght © RVC. All rights reserved)]]

The imaging techniques that are used for other animals can be applied to snakes. However, normals may not be well described so comparison is an important tool.

The imaging techniques that are used for other animals can be applied to snakes and lizards. However, normals may not be well described so comparison is an important tool.

==Radiography==

==Radiography==

Radiography is an important diagnostic aid in snakes. Assessment includes organ position, shape, size and density, skeletal density and gastrointestinal contents. Snakes are often presented with subcutaneous lumps and radiography is very useful to distinguish eggs from abscesses. Radiographic principles are the same as for other animals. A thorough understanding of the anatomy of the species being radiographed is essential.  

Radiography is an important diagnostic aid in reptiles. Assessment includes organ position, shape, size and density, skeletal density and gastrointestinal contents. Snakes are often presented with subcutaneous lumps and radiography is very useful to distinguish eggs from abscesses. Radiographic principles are the same as for other animals. A thorough understanding of the anatomy of the species being radiographed is essential.  

===Lizards===

===Lizards===

*Lizards can be radiographed with or without chemical restraint. The oculovagal reflex may be used in iguanids and other lizards may be taped down or radiographed through a box or bag if necessary.  

*Lizards can be radiographed with or without chemical restraint. The oculovagal reflex may be used in iguanids and other lizards may be taped down or radiographed through a box or bag if necessary.  

*Technique - Appropriate manual restraint is satisfactory for examining many lizards and snakes but chemical restraint may be necessary. 7.5 and 10 MHz transducers with stand-off for suitable resolution are used in small reptiles and 5 and 3.5MHz transducers for larger reptiles.  The transducer (plus liberal amounts of aqueous gel) is positioned against the ventral scales. Intercostal placement is possible in large species. Initially the heart is located and the chambers and valves can be visualised. Moving caudally the liver is found as a hyperechoic organ. The stomach then spleen, pancreas and gall bladder are located caudal to the liver. Cranial to the [[Cloaca|cloaca]], gonads and kidneys can be found as hyperechoic structures.  

*Technique - Appropriate manual restraint is satisfactory for examining many lizards and snakes but chemical restraint may be necessary. 7.5 and 10 MHz transducers with stand-off for suitable resolution are used in small reptiles and 5 and 3.5MHz transducers for larger reptiles.  The transducer (plus liberal amounts of aqueous gel) is positioned against the ventral scales. Intercostal placement is possible in large species. Initially the heart is located and the chambers and valves can be visualised. Moving caudally the liver is found as a hyperechoic organ. The stomach then spleen, pancreas and gall bladder are located caudal to the liver. Cranial to the [[Cloaca|cloaca]], gonads and kidneys can be found as hyperechoic structures.  

*The fat body of boid snakes can complicate the imaging of some organs including the kidneys and reproductive tract.

*The fat body of boid snakes can complicate the imaging of some organs including the kidneys and reproductive tract.

==Echocardiography==

==Echocardiography==

Echocardiography is a very useful diagnostic aid for cardiac problems in species where there are well-described normals. It is non-invasive, identifies specific cardiac anatomy and quantifies cardiac function. Echocardiography can be used to evaluate heart valve motion and identify thrombi, pericardial effusion and structural defects such as stenosis and valvular disease. Presently normals for reptile species at specific temperatures are not well-described.  

Echocardiography is a very useful diagnostic aid for cardiac problems in species where there are well-described normals. It is non-invasive, identifies specific cardiac anatomy and quantifies cardiac function. Echocardiography can be used to evaluate heart valve motion and identify thrombi, pericardial effusion and structural defects such as stenosis and valvular disease. Presently normals for reptile species at specific temperatures are not well-described.  

[[Category:Lizard_Diagnostics|I]]

[[Category:Lizard_Diagnostics|I]]