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Radiography
This is the X-ray room, incorporating a processing room leading from it. The X-ray machine is positioned with the tube above a tilting lead lined table for patients.
Anaesthesia is necessary for many x-ray procedures because they cause discomfort or require a very unnatural position. There is an anaesthetic machine in the room. Positioning aids are used, including comfy plastic cradles, foam pads, loose filled sandbags, ties and a positioning arm. We do not allow staff to hold animals for x-ray unless in exceptional circumstances.
On the subject of safety, the walls are covered in Barium plaster and the doors are lead lined so that no rays escape!
The x-ray recording system is now computerised so that digital images are stored on a central server. These can be viewed at various computers around the building. The software allows us to manipulate  images in order to improve interpretation. Film is no longer used at all.
We quite regularly perform contrast studies. Dyes that can be seen on x-ray are used to fill the urinary tract, the bowel or even the space around the spinal cord to help in diagnosis.
Some abnormalities that are not readily revealed by x-ray may be seen using ultrasound.
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