Radiodense foreign bodies and intestinal impaction in pet reptiles (ingestion hazard)
Verbatim first-hand facts from The Merck Veterinary Manual (reptile). All bullets are exact substrings of the cited source file and C1-substring verified. Focus: toxicosis and environmental hazards of the pet species.
Toxicology facts
- Small lizards can often be restrained by taping them to the radiography cassette or table for a dorsoventral view (see water dragons radiograph). Wrapping cotton balls with self-adhesive tape and placing them over the eyes will often induce a vasovagal response and produce a calm, motionless lizard. A dorsoventral view can help identify foreign bodies, intestinal impaction, eggs, or other coelomic masses. A horizontal x-ray beam provides the best lateral imaging in lizards, especially when evaluating the respiratory system. Positioning for this view involves rotating the x-ray tube 90° and placing the cassette vertically behind the lizard. Elevating the body of the lizard on rolled towels or foam pads, or taping the forelimbs craniad and the pelvic limbs caudad, helps prevent superimposition of the limbs with the coelomic cavity.