View Position
border
Thorax Right to left lateral
Lateral recumbency with the head in
natural position. Pull
forelimbs as cranially as
possible and pull hind limbs
caudally
Thorax Dorsal recumbency in a V-
V/D trough and pull head gently
forward. Extend forelimbs
cranially with nose between
them.
Thorax Ventral recumbency in a V-
D/V trough. Pull head forward
and place sandbag overtop.
Extend forelimbs cranially
Abdomen Right lateral recumbency.
Lateral Extend forelimbs cranially
and hind limbs caudally.
Elevate the sternum so it is
in the same plane at thoracic
vertebrae.
Cranial Caudal border Beam Center Special
Considerations
Cranial point of the The first lumbar At the caudal border of Must be taken at
thoracic inlet vertebral body the scapula between maximum inspiration
the 5th and 6th ribs and pull forelimbs as
(strongest heartbeat) far cranially as possible
to prevent overlap in
the lung field. Make
sure sternum is parallel
to the table at the level
of the vertebrae. This is
the best lung view.
The first lumbar The first lumbar Midline at the caudal Take immediately at
vertebral body vertebral body margin of the scapula full inspiration and
between the 5th and 6th keep a straight line
ribs from the nose to the
caudal midline. Dont
use this position if the
animal is in respiratory
distress.
Cranial point of the The first lumbar Midline at the caudal Take immediately at
thoracic inlet vertebral body margin of the scapula full inspiration and
between the 5th and 6th make sure the rib cage
ribs, directly over the appears equidistant.
heart This is the best view of
the heart in its natural
position.
Caudal aspect of T7 Greater trochanter to Canine: Over caudal Best separation of
(fill diaphragm and include the aspect of the 13th rib at kidneys and view of
heart apex) coxofemoral joints level of L2-L3 spleen. Take
immediately at the end
Feline: two to three phase of expiration.
fingerbreadths caudal Focal radiographs can
to 13th rib use gentle pressure with
a spoon or paddle to
isolate organs. Make
sure to include part of
the pelvis and

Abdomen Dorsal recumbency possibly
V/D using a trough. Gently pull
head forward and extend
forelimb forward.
diaphragm.
T9 vertebrae Greater trochanter Canine: caudal aspect Expose immediately at
(diaphragm) caudally and include of 13th rib at level of the end phase of
cranially coxofemoral joints umbilicus (L3) expiration. Make sure
to include part of the
Feline: two to three pelvis and diaphragm.
fingerbreadths caudal
to 13th rib

View Position Cranial Caudal border Beam Center Special

border Considerations
Shoulder Lateral recumbency with Shoulder joint Caudal border of the Center of the Try to get an unobstructed
Lateral affected side down. Arch scapula scapula view by positioning the
head and neck dorsally. scapula dorsal to the
Pull contralateral fore vertebral column. Patient
limb as far caudally as should probably be
possible. Extend affected sedated.
limb below elbow joint
Shoulder Dorsal recumbency in Shoulder joint Caudal border of the Center of the Rotate the patients
Caudocranial trough and push head scapula about level scapula sternum from the scapula
slightly laterally from of 8th rib about 10-12 degrees to
affected limb. Extended avoid superimposition of
both forelimbs cranially, the scapula and ribs.
especially the affected Patient should probably be
limb sedated.
Elbow Lateral recumbency with Proximal third of Distal third of the Palpate and center Place small foam pad
Lateral affected limb down. the radius/ulna humerus on distal humeral under the shoulder and
Extend the contralateral condyles distal region of affected
forelimb caudally and pull limb to help maintain
affected limb cranially lateral symmetry.
with elbow joint in an 120 Collimate as closely as
degree extended position possible
Elbow Lateral recumbency with Proximal third of Distal third of Palpate and center The limb should be flat on
Flexed Lateral affected limb down. radius/ulna humerus on the humeral the table in true lateral
Secure unaffected fore condyles position without rotation.
limb caudally and flex Best view for evaluation
affected elbow of congenital defects.

View Position Cranial Caudal border Beam Center Special

border Considerations
Elbow Sternal recumbency and Proximal third of Distal third of Palpate and center Make sure the olecranon
Craniocaudal leave hind limbs radius/ulna humerus on he humeral rests midway between the
naturally. Place fore limbs condyles at the humeral epicondyles in
extended forward and pull level of articulation. the center of the joint.
unaffected limb. Pull head Angle the beam Slight raising of the
and neck away from distoproximally 10 opposite limb helps to
affected limb and the to 20 degrees to place the olecranon and
beam. visualize the joint the paw of the affected
surfaces if full limb isnt flat on the
extension isnt table. Make sure of
possible. symmetry!
Radius and Ulna Lateral recumbency with Proximal to elbow Distal to carpal joint Midshaft of the Place foam under
Lateral affected limb down. joint radius and ulna humerus and cranial
Extend contralateral fore thorax to keep proper
limb caudodorsally and alignment. Make sure
place affected limb image receptor is large
parallel to the edges of enough to include both
the image receptor. the proximal row of
Slightly flex the carpus carpal bones and
and place foam wedge proximal olecranon and
under the shoulder. measure at the mid shaft
of bone.
Radius and Ulna Sternal recumbency with Proximal to the Distal to the carpal Midshaft of the Confirm the olecranon is
Craniocaudal a small foam pad under elbow joint joint radius and ulna positioned midway
the elbow of unaffected between the humeral
limb. Extend affected epicondyles. Thin foam
forelimb and secure to the pad placed between the
table. Move head and image receptor to
 neck dorsally. stabilize the elbow. Make
sure image receptor is
long enough and measure
the midshaft of the bone
to minimize
overexposure.
Carpus Lateral recumbency with Proximal third of the Distal third of the Middle row of the Make sure the toes point
Lateral the affected limb down metacarpus radius and ulna carpal bones the same direction
and move head and neck collimate tightly and
dorsally. Extend the place a lead shield on the
unaffected limb caudally. side being imaged to
prevent scatter radiation
from affecting the
contrast. Wooden spoon
can help support the limb.
Carpus Sternal recumbency with Proximal third of the Distal third of the Middle row of If joint laxity of the
Dorsopalmar the head moved away metacarpals radius/ulna carpal bones carpus is present and
from the beam. Extend evaluation of the joint
both forelimbs forward space is required, stress
and secure affected can be put on the carpus.
forelimb to the table. Apply tape to the
midradius ulna and pull
for extended view.
Abduct affected elbow to
straighten the carpus.
View Position Cranial border Caudal border Beam Center Special
Considerations
Pelvis Lateral recumbency with Slightly cranial to the Caudal ischium, Greater trochanter Superimpose the femoral
Lateral the affected leg down. wing of the ilium and include 1/3 of femur of the femur heads, ilial wings and
Place foam wedge include at least one transverse process to
between the hind limbs to lumbar vertebrae create symmetry.
keep the pelvis Separate the limbs if hip
superimposed. Scissor luxation is suspended.
limbs and place foam pad
under uppermost limb.
Pelvis Dorsal recumbency. Can Crest of the ilium Distal patella Midline at the Keep the tail aligned with
V/D extended use a V-trough for cranial (last two lumbar caudal portion of the spine and use sedation
 portion of the body. Grab
hind limbs at metatarsus
and pull caudally with
femurs rotated inward.
Pelvis Dorsal recumbency, can Wings of the ilia
V/D Frog leg use a V-trough for cranial
portion of the body.
Leave hind limbs
naturally flexed and place
sandbag over the
metatarsals.
vertebrae) the ischium to allow minimal pain.
Keep sternum and spine
superimposed. Dog
should be 24 months old
if it needs OFA
certification.
Caudal border of the Midline at the Keep symmetry of the
ischium. Include 1/3 caudal portion of limbs and place the
of each femur the pubis marker in the caudal
region. Best view for
patients with suspected
pelvic trauma.

Stifles Lateral recumbency with Proximal third of the Distal third of the Palpate and center Only extend the
Lateral the affected leg down. tibia femur on the indentation unaffected limb enough
Flex the unaffected limb of the stifle joint to be out of the field of
and pull laterally. Extend (intercondylar fossa view. Place sponge pad
the affected limb keeping of the femur) under affected tarsus so
the stifle in a natural tibia is parallel to the
position and secure with image receptor. There
sandbag. should be
superimposition of the
femoral condyles.
Femur Lateral recumbency with Coxofemoral joint Stifle Mid-shaft of the If its a thick muscled dog
Mediolateral affected leg down. Flex femur there may be two views
the unaffected limb and needed. Make sure
pull laterally. Extend the femoral head is pointing
affected limb on the table toward the cathode and
and secure with a abduct the affected limb
sandbag. to eliminate
superimposition.
View Position Cranial border Caudal border Beam Center Special
Considerations
Tarsus Lateral recumbency with Proximal third of Distal third of the At the tarsus joint Label cranial to the joint
Lateral affected limb down. metatarsus tibia and fibula or bone and use gauze or
Abduct the unaffected tape to extend the foot as
 limb and pull dorsally and far as possible.
secure with tape. Pull
affected limb away from
the body or keep in
natural position and
secure to the table.
Tarsus Sternal recumbency in a Proximal third of Distal third of tibia Tarsal joint If placing a foam pad
Plantarodorsal V-trough or secure with a metatarsus and fibula under the unaffected
sandbag. Let the limb, the raised limb will
unaffected limb lie flexed assist in keeping the
and extend the affected calcaneus more centered
foot and secure to the and the body is slightly
table. rotated.

Tarsus Dorsal recumbency in a Proximal third of Distal third of tibia Tarsal joint Foam wedge may be
Dorsoplantar V-trough with affected leg metatarsus and fibula needed to keep the leg
extended. from rotating and use
gauze or tape to extend
the leg fully.

References

Brown, M., Brown, L. C., & Lavin, L. M. (2014). Lavin's radiography for veterinary technicians. (5th ed.). St.
Louis, MO: Elsevier.