Radiology

Vocab: External Fixation- the use of pins passed from outside the leg, through the skin and into the bones of the limb, ideally with at least three pins above and below the fracture. Keel-extension of the sternum in a bird, runs along the midline. X-ray Generator- machine that takes x-rays. 4/13/11 Today I was able to witness how they x-rayed two cats, two dogs, and a horse. Unfortunately because I am not 18, I am unable to help restrain the animals due to the exposure of radiation. It is a very tedious task to do, because a lot of patience is required. Not only is it difficult to align the animals in the correct position in order to get a good x-ray, but it is also difficult to restrain the animals. One of the most interesting x-rays was of a dog whom had fractured her back leg and had external fixation. It was so interesting to be able to see her metal support screwed on her bone in the x-ray. However the best patient for me was a wild hawk whom the veterinarians suspected may have a wing fracture. Because I had been guided on how to prepare the birds for xrays before with two birds, I was able to succesfully and carefully tape down the hawks wings and feet for the x-rays. With the help of the Veterinary Technician I correctly lined up the x-ray generator by feeling the hawks keel (D). After taking some x-rays I helped the veterinarians untape the hawk. Although I was not able to restrain any animal while they took x-rays, I really enjoyed being able to watch and learn how to x-ray different types of animals (f). It is very interesting for me to see this but I know that I would not enjoy only taking x-rays as a career (A).