X-rays have long been the most commonly used imaging technique. An X-ray machine is now standard equipment in any veterinary practice. These invisible rays were discovered in 1895 by the German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for this technology, which has been used worldwide ever since.
An X-ray image is produced using an X-ray tube. Inside the tube, a high voltage is generated between two electrical conductors (electrodes: the anode and cathode), which accelerates the electrons. When the electrons (= negatively charged elementary particles) strike the anode, part of their energy is emitted in the form of photon radiation (= high-energy, massless particles of light), known as X-rays. This radiation penetrates the body’s various tissues to varying degrees, thereby creating the X-ray image on the detector behind it—the X-ray film.
X-ray imaging allows for the visualization of internal body tissues. The higher the density of a tissue, the more radiation it absorbs and the less it transmits. Tissues that absorb a lot of X-ray radiation, such as bone tissue, appear bright on the X-ray image. A significant amount of radiation passes through soft tissues and cavities onto the X-ray film. These areas appear dark or even black on the image.
Unlike analog X-ray technology, which required the time-consuming development of X-ray films, modern X-ray systems today consist of an X-ray tube and a digital X-ray system that converts the incoming rays into digital signals. This allows the X-ray image to appear on the computer screen shortly after the image is taken. Digital X-rays also offer the advantage of higher resolution and can be edited—for example, enlarged, brightened, or darkened.
To obtain sharp and clear images, proper positioning without movement is essential. Depending on the body region being examined, animals are placed on the examination table in a supine, lateral, or prone position. The relevant body parts are held in the correct position. Horses are X-rayed while standing. If motionless X-ray imaging is not possible, the animal must be given a mild sedative.
Since an X-ray image is only a two-dimensional representation of what is actually a three-dimensional object, multiple images are typically taken at different angles in practice to reliably detect changes such as bone fractures.
If it is not possible to obtain a clear image of specific tissues, an X-ray examination can be performed using a contrast agent. In this procedure, a specific contrast agent is injected into the patient or administered with food to create artificial contrast. A contrast agent is frequently used to better visualize parts of the gastrointestinal tract, the urinary tract, or the blood vessels.
X-rays are electromagnetic waves that possess a great deal of energy and are capable of breaking down chemical bonds, which is why they can cause significant damage to the body’s cells. The extent of the damage depends on the dose of X-ray radiation. The radiation exposure from digital X-rays is now significantly lower than it was with analog X-rays.
The genetic material (=DNA) of cells is particularly at risk. Damage to the DNA of germ cells (egg cells, sperm) can lead to hereditary diseases. Damage to the DNA of various body cells can result in cancer.
In practice, the X-ray beam is directed specifically at a certain region of the animal’s body. Nevertheless, a small amount of radiation can always be detected in the examination room. Due to these risks, effective radiation protection is very important in X-ray diagnostics. Radiation-protective clothing and the correct positioning of the animal offer some protection against so-called scattered radiation. Adolescents under 18 and pregnant women are at increased risk of radiation damage, which is why they are not permitted to remain in the room during an X-ray examination.
The Radiation Protection Act and the Radiation Protection Ordinance set forth all legal regulations governing the use of X-rays in medicine. This includes regular inspections of all X-ray equipment by the State Office of Occupational Safety and Health.
Some breeds that have been bred by humans to achieve a desired appearance suffer from serious health problems: breathing difficulties, joint damage, eye problems, or limited ability to communicate – the list of diseases and affected animal breeds is long. But what exactly is torture breeding?
The word brachycephaly comes from Greek and means short-headed or round-headed. It describes the hereditary shorter and wider skull shape of some dog and cat breeds, which is reminiscent of the "childhood pattern" of young animals. The health consequences of this shortened facial skull are far-reaching and are referred to as brachycephalic syndrome.
"My horse isn't too fat." That's what many horse owners think – and they're wrong. Assessing a horse's weight isn't easy, and horse scales aren't usually available on site. With a little practice, you can use body condition scoring to assess your horse's nutritional status yourself.
This infectious disease caused by the coronavirus affects only cats and occurs worldwide. The disease remains one of the most common causes of death in cats. The name is derived from the most common symptom of this disease, peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining).
The West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes between birds, but also to humans, horses, and other mammals. For a long time, it only occurred on the African continent. However, since 1999, the West Nile virus has also spread to the US. In 2018, it was detected for the first time in birds and two horses in Germany (Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt). Since then, infections have occurred in the summer and fall months. Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saxony are particularly affected. However, more and more cases are now also occurring in Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria. West Nile infection is a notifiable animal disease.
Testicular tumors are the second most common type of tumor in male dogs and account for four to seven percent of all tumors in dogs overall. There are different types of tumors, with dogs with one or two undescended testicles (= cryptorchidism) having a significantly increased risk of developing a testicular tumor.
Unfortunately, our pets are not immune to cancer either. Malignant lymphoma is a malignant tumor that originates in cells of the immune system. Since these cells are mainly found in lymph glands, it is also referred to as lymph gland cancer.
A doping scandal in dressage brought this condition to the attention of riders. An increasing number of horses, particularly competition horses, are now affected by this neuromuscular disorder. The causes remain largely unknown. Shivering is considered incurable and can severely impair the horse in some cases. Large, heavy, and male horses between the ages of four and seven, as well as horses with naturally high muscle tone, are particularly at risk.
