CHEST X-RAY PROJECTIONS FOR LUNG IMAGING IN CALVES
The article examines the diagnostic significance of chest X-ray projections for lung imaging in calves: right and left lateral recumbent position, right and left standing position, as well as ventro-dorsally. The technical characteristics of the exposure depend on the thickness of the animal's chest: 30 cm-78kV, 5.0 mAs; 25 cm - 75 kV, 4.0 mAs. The time spent on obtaining a single radiograph in the standing position is on average 5.5 minutes, in the lateral lying position 6.7 minutes, and in the ventro-dorsal position 6.6 minutes (excluding the time required for sedation). In animals with a chest thickness of up to 30 cm, a side lying position (right or left) should be used as much as possible, if it is difficult to perform then a standing position. In the absence of pathology in the standard standing position, a TL projection is necessary to assess the apical lobes of the lung. Obtaining X-rays of the chest in a lateral recumbent position requires significant labor and time. However, the quality of the final radiographs is much higher, they completely cover the chest, which means that they allow you to evaluate not only the cranial fields of the lungs, but also the rest of the chest structures: the silhouette of the heart, the pulmonary fields, the trachea, aorta, caudal vena cava. From behind, the radiographic view of the chest is limited by the line of the diaphragm. In the dome of the diaphragm is the silhouette of the liver. If there is a compaction of the lung tissue, it can make it difficult to assess the silhouette of the heart, due to their superposition. The described research method can be recommended for diagnosing the condition of the chest organs in calves in production conditions.