X-ray for respiratory infection?

[rmn34]

When would an x-ray be warranted for a respiratory infection?

Also under what circumstances do you have to sedate prior to x-rays and what is the best way to do so?

Are there certain methods of sedation that are too risky and should not be done?

I had a bad vet in the past who would always add x-rays just to run up the bill and they would never tell us anything. They never required sedation.

My current vet does recommend sedation.

How long is the exposure for a chest xray anyway?

Thanks

 

[lilspaz68]

You would definltely only want to have a gas anesthetic no injectables as rats recover slowly and its much more dangerous.

an x-ray for the chest won't take long as you are using the sedation as a temporary restraint so the rat doesn't move. I would only have a rat x-rayed if they were very sick and we needed to see what was going on, or if we suspected something like a tumour pressing on the lungs, pulmonary abscesses etc. For a regular respiratory infection its best to just start with a combo of antibiotics and see if they improve.