View Position Cranial
border
Thorax --Right or left lateral
Lateral recumbency
--Keep head in natural
position
--Pull forelimbs cranially
without rotating the
thorax
--pull hind limbs together
caudally
--elevate the sternum
Thorax --Dorsal recumbency in a
V/D V-trough if possible
--Pull head gently
forward
--Extend forelimbs
cranially with the nose in
between them.
--Keen the hind limbs in a
natural position
Thorax --Ventral recumbency in a
D/V V-trough if needed
--Gently pull head
forward
--Extend the forelimbs
cranially and slightly
supinate paws so that the
elbows are together and
the scapulae lie lateral to
the lung field.
--Keep the hind legs in a
natural position.
Caudal border Beam Center Special
Considerations
--cranial point of the --first lumbar --at the caudal border --Use sandbags and foam for
scapulohumeral vertebral body of the scapula, support and to avoid rotation.
articulation (thoracic between the fifth and --Taken at maximum
inlet) sixth ribs inspiration
--make sure sternum is
parallel to the table and even
with the vertebrae, and that
the beam is perpendicular to
both.
--include entire diaphragm
--cranial point of the --first lumbar --midline at the caudal --Do not use this view if the
scapulohumeral vertebral body margin of the scapula animal is in respiratory
articulation (thoracic or between the fifth distress, as this can
inlet) and sixth ribs. compromise them further.
--make sure body is positioned
evenly
--expose at full inspiration
--keep the sternum and spine
superimposed and the beam
perpendicular.
--good view of lung fields
--Cranial point of --first lumbar --midline at the caudal --Place identification markers
scapulohumeral vertebral body margin of the scapula near the axilla
articulation (thoracic or between the fifth --feel for spinous processes to
inlet) and sixth ribs tell if the animal is straight
--keep the animals body
evenly positioned
--keep sternum and spine
superimposed with the beam
perpendicular.
--expose at full inspiration
--forelimbs can be positioned
with the elbows lateral to the
thoracic inlet if they cannot be
supinated.
--preferred view for dogs with
 heartworm
Abdomen --Right lateral --collimate cranially --collimate caudally --over the caudal --be careful not to restrict
Lateral recumbency from the caudal to the greater aspect of 13th rib at breathing
--keep head in a natural aspect of T7 (full trochanter to include level of L2-L3. --Expose at the very end of
position diaphragm and heart the coxofemoral expiration
--pull forelimbs cranially apex)/from the joints (to the base of --keep sternum and spine
and use foam pads to xiphoid process the tail) parallel to image receptor, and
eliminate rotation the central ray perpendicular
--pull hind limbs together --large dogs may need two
caudally and use views
sandbags to prevent --make sure bladder is visible
superimposition of the
femoral muscles and use
foam to eliminate rotation
of the caudal abdomen
and pelvis
--elevate sternum with
wedged sponges so it is at
the same place as the
thoracic vertebrae
Abdomen --Dorsal recumbency with --T9 vertebrae --include the --Canine: on midline --Keep body evenly
V/D a V-trough under the (diaphragm) coxofemoral joints over caudal aspect of positioned
thoracic area if necessary cranially to the (pubic 13th rib at level of --Expose at the end phase of
--head is pulled gently greater trochanter symphysis)/base of umbilicus (L3). expiration so that the
forward, being careful not (xiphoid) tail --Feline: two to three diaphragm is positioned
to restrict breathing fingerbreadths caudal cranially and is not
--forelimbs are extended to 13th rib. compressing the abdominal
forward, possibly using contents.
ties or sand bags --do not use this view if the
--hind limbs are kept in a animal is in respiratory
natural position distress, as this can further
compromise their position.
--measure abdomen at deepest
point
View Position
Shoulder --Lateral recumbency
Lateral with the affected limb
down
--arch the head and neck
dorsally, taking care not
to restrict breathing with
sandbags.
--leave hind limbs in a
natural position
--pull the contralateral
forelimb as far caudally
as possible to avoid
superimposition. The
affected limb should be
extended downward and
cranially, so it is ventral
to the sternum.
Shoulder --dorsal recumbency with
Caudocranial trough or tape if needed
--push the head slightly
laterally from the affected
limb to avoid
superimposition of the
cervical spine over the
joint.
--Leave hind limbs in a
natural position
--tape and extend both
forelimbs cranially,
especially the affected
limb. Tie them to the
table or use sandbags, so
that the humerus is almost
parallel to the table.
Cranial Caudal border Beam Center Special
border Considerations
--proximal third of --Proximal third of -palpate the --avoid over-rotation of the
the scapula the humerus proximal head of the thorax, which would place the
humerus and the shoulder joint in an oblique
glenoid of the position, and make evaluation
scapula, and center of the articular surfaces of the
at the shoulder joint difficult.
scapulohumeral --measure at the level of the
articulation. shoulder joint. Extend the
caliper to the point of the
unaffected shoulder, but be
careful not to include that
limb.
--best view for congenital
defects
--distal third of the --proximal third of --palpate the --avoid over-rotation of the
scapula the humerus proximal head of the humerus, which would
humerus and the produce an oblique shoulder
acromion of the joint
scapula at the center --the ribs should fall slightly
of the away from the scapula to
scapulohumeral avoid superimposition on the
articulation scapula and to have the spine
(shoulder joint) of the scapula perpendicular to
the table.
--both joints can be included if
they need to be compared
Elbow --lateral recumbency with --mid-humerus --mid-radius/ulna --elbow joint --usually done on the tabletop,
Lateral the affected limb down without a grid
--move the head and neck
dorsally, taking care not
to restrict breathing with
sandbags
--leave hind limbs in a
natural position
--extend contralateral
forelimb caudally and
secure it, leave the
affected in a relaxed,
normal position
Elbow --lateral recumbency with -- proximal third of --distal third of the --palpate and center --the limb should be flat on
Flexed Lateral the affected limb down the radius/ulna humerus on the humeral the table in a true lateral
--move head and neck condyles. position with no rotation
dorsally --shows congenital defects/
--leave hind limbs in a OCD lesions
natural position --required in OFA certification
--secure the unaffected
forelimb caudally and
flex the affected elbow as
much as possible by
bending the limb dorsally
and securing the paw
under the head with a
sandbag or tape. Place the
tape or sandbag on the
carpal region, flex the
limb, and fasten the tape
on the lateral aspect of
the metacarpus. Affix
tape to the table under the
cranial cervical region.
View Position Cranial Caudal border Beam Center Special
border Considerations
Elbow --Sternal Recumbency --proximal third of --distal third of the --palpate and center --make sure the body is
Craniocaudal --leave hind limbs in a the radius/ulna humerus on the humeral symmetrical
natural position to keep condyles at the --Make sure the olecranon
the spine straight level of articulation. process is midway between the
--use trough if needed Angle the beam lateral and medial humeral
--head is pulled to the distoproximally 10 epicondyles on the finished
side away from where to 20 degrees to radiograph. This can be done by
you are radiographing visualize the joint slightly raising the opposite
--keep the leg straight surfaces if full limb.
extension is not --do not have the paw of the
possible. affected limb flat on the table
--you may need to rotate the leg
medially to make the elbow
joint straight
Radius and Ulna --Lateral recumbency --proximal to elbow --distal to carpal joint --midshaft of the --place foam under the humerus
Lateral with the affected limb joint radius and ulna and cranial thorax to keep
down proper alignment
--move the head and neck --make sure the image receptor
dorsally, being careful not is large enough to include both
to restrict breathing if the proximal row of carpal
using sandbags bones and the proximal
--leave hind limbs in a olecranon
natural position --measure at the midshaft of the
--extend the contralateral bone if the distal portion of the
forelimb caudodorsally radius and ulna is the area of
and secure it. Place the interest
affected limb parallel to
the edges of the image
receptor or table and
support with sandbags if
available. Slightly flex
the carpus to avoid
supination of the limb.
Radius and Ulna --Sternal Recumbency --proximal to the --distal to the carpal --midshaft of the --palpate to confirm that the
Craniocaudal --Move head and neck elbow joint joint radius and ulna olecranon is positioned midway
away from the affected between the humeral
limb and beam. Support epicondyles
the head in a comfortable --a thin foam pad between the
position point of the elbow and the
--leave hind limbs in a image receptor may stabilize
natural position to keep the elbow.
the spine straight and --measure at the midshaft of the
support with sandbags if bone if the distal portion of the
needed. A V-trough can radius and ulna is the area of
also be used. interest.
--Place a small foam pad --a horizontal beam can also be
under the elbow of the taken to show the cranial caudal
unaffected limb to view of the radius and ulna.
prevent rolling or --make sure the leg is straight
rotation. Extend the
affected forelimb and
hold it with a sandbag or
tie to the table.
Carpus --Lateral recumbency --proximal third of --distal third of the --on the middle row --a wooden or plastic paddle
Lateral with the affected limb the metacarpus, radius/ulna of the carpal bones supported with a sandbag can
down assist in positioning
--Move head and neck --the foot can be flexed by
dorsally, taking care not applying slight dorsal pressure
to restrict breathing if to the digits
using sandbags
--leave hind limbs in a
natural position and
support with sandbags if
needed
--Extend the contralateral
limb caudally, secure with
a sandbag, extend the
affected limb cranially,
place sandbags on the
proximal portion of the
limb, tie or support the
distal metacarpus to the
 table or a sandbag
Carpus --Sternal Recumbency
Dorsopalmar --displace and support the
head laterally with
positioning aids or tape it
away from the affected
limb and the beam
--extend hind limbs in a
natural position to keep
the spine straight and
support with sandbags or
V-trough
--Extend both forelimbs
forward and secure the
affected forelimb with a
sandbag at the proximal
portion. Tie the
metacarpus/digits at the
distal portion and secure
the limb to a sandbag.
View Position
Pelvis --Lateral recumbency
Lateral with the affected leg
down
--keep head in a natural
position and support if
needed; dont restrict
breathing
--pull forelimbs cranially
and secure
--place foam wedge
between the hind limbs so
that the pelvis is
superimposed. Scissor
limbs so that the limb
closest to the cassette is
--Proximal third of --Distal third of the --middle row of --abduct the affected elbow
the metacarpals radius/ulna carpal bones slightly to straighten the carpus
--if joint laxity of the carpus is
present and evaluation of the
joint space is required, stress
can be put on the carpus if tape
is applied to the midradius/ulna
and the distal metacarpus, pull
in opposite directions
Cranial border Caudal border Beam Center Special
Considerations
--slightly cranial to --caudal ischium, --greater trochanter --may need to use sedation if
the wing of the ileum including one-third of the femur the patient is in a lot of pain
to include at least of the femur --to ensure symmetry, have the
one lumbar vertebrae femoral heads, the ilial wings,
and the transverse processes of
the caudal lumbar vertebrae
superimposed
--the upper limb will be more
magnified because of the
increased OFD
--separation of the limbs is
particularly important if hip
luxation is suspected
--make sure to include the
lumbosacral section of the spine
 cranial and the
contralateral limb is
pulled caudally to
differentiate the femurs.
Use foam pads to keep
femur parallel to the table
and sandbags over the
distal portion of the limbs
to keep them in place.
Pelvis --Dorsal recumbency --crest of the ileum --distal patella --midline at the --You may need sedation if the
V/D extended --V-trough can be used (last two lumbar caudal portion of animal is in pain, as proper
for the cranial portion of vertebrae) the ischium positioning can cause even
the body more pain. Sedation or
--head is pointed forward anesthesia also allows muscle
and secured, being careful relaxation.
not to restrict breathing --watch for OFD increase
--forelimbs are pulled --keep the nose equidistant
cranially and secured between the forelimbs and in
--hind limbs should be line with the tail
gripped at the metatarsus --keep the sternum and spine
and the femurs are rotated superimposed
inward so that the patellae --palpate the greater trochanter
lie over the trochlear of each femur to ensure the
groove of the femurs and pelvis is symmetrical
the femurs are parallel to --keep the tail aligned with the
each other and the long spine
axis of the spine, and
level with the table
--Limbs are secured and
lowered until a point of
resistance is felt
--extend the limbs toward
the end of the table and
secure with tape caudally
Pelvis --Dorsal recumbency with --wings of the ilia --caudal border of the --midline at the --may need sedation for proper
V/D Frog leg V-trough on cranial ischium; include at caudal portion of positioning
portion of the body if least one-third of the pubis --keep the limbs positioned
necessary, not including each femur identically to maintain
the pelvis symmetry
--keep head in a natural --locate the ischium by
position with the nose palpating for the right and left
pointing forward, ischial tuberosity
supporting the neck with
sandbags, being careful
not to restrict breathing
--Pull forelimbs cranially
and secure them
--Leave hind limbs in a
naturally flexed position,
usually 45 degrees to the
spine, but with large dogs
it can be 90 degrees to the
spine. Place a sandbag
over the tarsal joints.

Stifles --Lateral recumbency -- proximal third of --distal third of the --palpate and center --the unaffected limb need to be
Lateral with the affected leg the tibia femur on the indentation extended only dorsally enough
down of the stifle joint to be out of the field of view
--keep head in a natural (intercondylar fossa --place a sponge pad under the
position and support of the femur) affected tarsus so the tibia is
appropriately with a parallel to the image receptor
sandbag over the neck; --have superimposition of the
dont restrict breathing femoral condyles
--pull the forelimbs --slight flexion opens up the
cranially and secure joint
--flex the unaffected hind
limb, abduct and pull
laterally. Support it with a
bungee cord or rope to
the machine tube stand.
--Extend the affected
limb, keeping the stifle in
a relatively natural
 position, and secure over
the distal limb.
Femur --Lateral recumbency --coxofemoral joint --stifle --mid-shaft of the --the beam may have to be
Mediolateral with the affected leg femur angled distoproximally if the
down upper limb is not out of the
--keep head in a natural field of view
position, support neck --palpate the femoral joining
with sandbags; do not and ensure that the full affected
restrict breathing limb will be radiographed
--pull forelimbs cranially --abducting the affected limb
and support with eliminates superimposition of
sandbags the proximal femur over the
--flex the unaffected limb, tuber ischium
abduct and pull laterally --because of the difference in
by supporting the limb thickness of the femur, you may
with a bungee cord or have to take two views,
rope to the machine tube measuring for each
stand, or by extending the --a fluid bag can be positioned
affected limb and over the distal end to emulate
securing it with a sandbag soft tissue and prevent
over the distal limb overexposure to the distal
aspect
--position the patient so that the
femoral head is pointing toward
the cathode of the x-ray tube
View Position Cranial border Caudal border Beam Center Special
Considerations
Tarsus --Lateral recumbency --Proximal third of --distal third of the --at the tarsus joint --keep labels cranial to the joint
Lateral with the affected limb metatarsus tibia and fibula or bone
down
--Keep head in a natural
position and support if
needed; do not restrict
breathing
--pull forelimbs cranially
and secure or tie to table
--abduct the unaffected
 hind-limb, pull it dorsally,
and either secure with
tape around the stifle and
tarsus or support with a
bungee cord to the x-ray
tube stand.
Tarsus --Sternal Recumbency in --Proximal third of --Distal third of tibia --Tarsal joint --place a foam pad under the
Plantarodorsal a V-trough or secured metatarsus and fibula unaffected stifle, the raised limb
with sandbags if needed will assist in keeping the
(usually cats dont need calcaneus more centered, the
--it) body is slightly rotated
--Secure the head and --palpate for the tibial
forelimbs with a sandbag tuberosity to obtain a true
or tie the limbs to the plantarodorsal view
table --if a dorsoplantar view is
--Allow the unaffected required the patient can be in
hind-limb to lie flexed either dorsal recumbency with
next to the body. Extend the limb extended or in sternal
the affected foot and recumbency with the plantar
support with a sandbag or aspect of the foot against the
tie at the metatarsus/digits image receptor
and secure to the table or
a sandbag.

Tarsus --The limb being --medial and lateral --portion of the --middle of the --primary beam is usually
Dorsoplantar evaluated is bearing full malleoli of the tibia metatarsal bones tarsus directed horizontally, but in
weight some horses, it is best to direct
(Horses) --The opposite limb may the beam 5 to 10 degrees
have to be elevated proximodistally to visualize the
--The vertical image joint more clearly
receptor is caudal to the
limb on the plantar aspect