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Dental Radiography Series: Interpretation of Dental Radiographs in Dogs & Cats, Part 1: Principles & Normal Findings

As originally published in “Today’s Veterinary Practice,” January/February 2017 (Volume 7, Number 1) Santiago Peralta, DVM, DAVDC, and Nadine Fiani, BVSc, DAVDC, Cornell University Dental radiography is considered part of the standard of care for dogs and cats undergoing dental intervention.1,2 Radiographs are essential for identifying and documenting the nature and severity of dental disorders and conditions.3-5 Dental radiographs often reveal relevant clinical information that would be missed based solely on an oral examination (ie, visual examination and periodontal probing), underscoring the critical [...]

July 25, 2017 Imaging Tips
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Dental Radiography Series: The Importance of Dental Radiography

As originally published in “Today’s Veterinary Practice,” May/June 2015 (Volume 5, Number 3)  Brook A. Niemiec, DVM, FAVD, Diplomate AVDC Southern California Veterinary Dental Specialties, San Diego, California The knowledge gained from dental radiographs not only improves patient care, it increases client compliance with treatment recommendations. Most important, the information gained via these radiographs speeds dental procedures and decreases complications. This article is the first in a 3-part series on dental radiology, which will discuss: The importance of dental radiography Dental radiography techniques Interpretation of dental [...]

July 12, 2017 Imaging Tips
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Finding Joy in Veterinary Practice Through Gratitude

  by Kristin Youngberg, Vetel Diagnostics This may be an overarching statement, but I know you’ll agree with me if I say: Life is messy. Whether that’s trying to mend a broken relationship with a coworker, being rear-ended on your way to work, or dropping a blood sample while trying to make it to the next appointment on time. Or that one animal at the end of the day that won’t cooperate. Some days it’s easier to count our burdens than [...]

June 23, 2017 Practice Tips
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Anatomy of a Perfect Image: 3 Important Components of Image Quality

What affects image quality in flat panel detectors? 1. Pixel Pitch Optimize the pixel pitch! (Remember, Pixel pitch describes the diameter of round pixels or the distance between dots <pixels> on a display screen. In digital radiography, the optimum pixel pitch is between 100-150 microns). A pixel pitch that is too small will give you blurred edge detail in the image anatomy, and also require a higher dose x-rays. A pixel pitch that is too high will produce a grainy image with poor spatial resolution [...]

June 15, 2017 Imaging Tips
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5 Tips for Great X-Rays

5 Tips for Great X-rays by Dr. Wallace Liberman of Panorama Equine in Redding, California. You must be a good radiographer.  Do not assume that digital radiography will automatically help you shoot better radiographs. Learn the art and practice! Post processing of the image will not always improve the image to what it should be. Thoroughly learn the system’s robust software to maximize the quality of the image. The ability to manipulate the image can help discern soft tissue problems or radio density [...]

June 14, 2017 Imaging Tips
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Anatomy of a Perfect Image: Pixels and Bits

Pixels – Dot Size What is a pixel? You’ve probably heard the term before, and generally know that pixels make up an image. Did you know “pixel” is short for “picture element”? In digital radiography, pixels come into play at both the front and back end. First the device (your DR panel) uses pixels to capture the image created by radiation from the x-ray generator. On the back end, the pixels come into play with how the picture is viewed [...]

June 13, 2017 Imaging Tips
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4 Ways to Re-engage Your Staff

  by Kristin Youngberg, Vetel Diagnostics When I was working as a veterinary technician, I experienced the unhealthy work environment that can blight a practice from cramming underpaid, overworked staff members into a small, high-stress and fast-paced office. The demand to produce quick and efficient work was a priority over quality and empathy. Many of my coworkers were nearing burnout and had lost the compassionate spark for animals that had brought them into the profession in the first place. I remember [...]

June 13, 2017 Practice Tips
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Bridging the Generational Divide

  by Kristin Youngberg, Vetel Diagnostics Millennials have recently supplanted Baby Boomers as the largest pet-owning population in the U.S. However, there are still many pets owned by Generation X, The Boom Generation, and some of the Silent Generation. Each generation has a different style of pet-ownership, and communication preference with their veterinary practitioner, than the one before it. Cater to these preferences and adapt to your client’s viewpoint, and you’ll have a client loyalty base that is second to none. The [...]

June 13, 2017 Practice Tips
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