Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Virginia Campbell — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 21:56:45 GMT

This was about 3 weeks ago. What happened?

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Mark Thirkell — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 12:54:27 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Kishor Mahind"]

Hell would break loose if a vet took an xray of a person, so what happened to all the H&S and Radiation rules in this case?

I know the output of a dental xray machine is much much smaller than a conventional radiograph machine but surely there has to be some rules and regulations of what you can do and what you cant?

[/quote]I didn't see the tongue-in-cheek smiley Kishor, I hope this was. So long as no dental nurses were harmed in the process I see no problem, indeed I have taken X-rays of my own broken limbs and the surgeon reckoned they were better that he got from his radiography department! A little bit of common sense goes a long way.

[/quote]

Martin & Kishor - I agree with Martin's comment but would add that common sense has little to do with interpretation of the Ionising Radiation Regs. My understanding is that the operator of an xray set is restricted to type of use. We could be in hot water for xraying humans - not that it would cross our minds to avoid waiting in A&E for hours to diagnose a fractured digit ;-). I reckon our friend the dentist has probably acted outwith his licence. The wellbeing of the patient has not been well-served by the DIY approach - I assume manual restraint of the conscious cat - hence the blur-o-graph.

The management of 4 fracture metatarsals will require internal or external fixation. It is possible to retrograde IM pin with K wires of appropriate size in mT 3&4. If the tibiotarsal joint is also unstable then a creatively designed Ex.Fix is probably the way to go.

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 10:38:26 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

Helping one another out in a desperate situation is one thing. A professional person trying to cheat another professional personout of a living is another - and highly distasteful.

Wynne

[/quote]You really need some anger management this week Wynn!

I can't see for one minute that this dentist was trying to cheat a fellow professional out of a living, its no worse than me doing DIY plumbing or electrical work. And can you honestly say that you've not treated yourself rather than go to the doctor or even been tempted to take you own X-ray to see if its worth going to A&E? If you can you need to add the halo smiley to your avatar.

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 09:08:33 GMT

Helping one another out in a desperate situation is one thing. A professional person trying to cheat another professional personout of a living is another - and highly distasteful.

Wynne

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

mariette asselbergs — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 22:38:23 GMT

The hospital in the North of Mozambique was kind enough to allow the X ray technician to take radiographs of some dogs if we asked very politely. Common sense and a spirit of helping each other out.

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Bibs — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:14:59 GMT

It seems pretty naive for a dentist to take X-rays of their cat and expect them to save on the requirement for the vet to take any. Same goes for vets taking X-rays of themselves or other people (pretty sure that's not a good idea).

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 10:54:38 GMT

[quote user="Kishor Mahind"]I know all this 'elf & safety can sometimes be an overkill but I would at least not mess with Radiation Protection regulations.[/quote]Sadly common sense isn't that common. Rules are for the blind obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Kishor Mahind — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 10:49:19 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Kishor Mahind"]

Hell would break loose if a vet took an xray of a person, so what happened to all the H&S and Radiation rules in this case?

I know the output of a dental xray machine is much much smaller than a conventional radiograph machine but surely there has to be some rules and regulations of what you can do and what you cant?

[/quote]

I'm just reading my RPA Radiation Safety management File and the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 Local Rules 5.1 says the equipment may only be used for small animal radiography and no other purposes.

I know all this 'elf & safety can sometimes be an overkill but I would at least not mess with Radiation Protection regulations.

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 10:01:19 GMT

[quote user="Kishor Mahind"]

Hell would break loose if a vet took an xray of a person, so what happened to all the H&S and Radiation rules in this case?

I know the output of a dental xray machine is much much smaller than a conventional radiograph machine but surely there has to be some rules and regulations of what you can do and what you cant?

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Iain McAllister — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 00:32:30 GMT

Yes it is the hock ! Perhaps I should have mentioned that - it was seen by a vet and I assume pain relief has been given - altho I can't tell if a support dressing has been applied - doesn't look like it from the rad - looks like all 4 metatarsals have gone plus a tarsal meta tarsal luxation - I'll tell him not to try and bridge it and to take it back to the vet!

cheers

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Kishor Mahind — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 23:00:56 GMT

Hell would break loose if a vet took an xray of a person, so what happened to all the H&S and Radiation rules in this case?

I know the output of a dental xray machine is much much smaller than a conventional radiograph machine but surely there has to be some rules and regulations of what you can do and what you cant?

To answer OP - looks like fracture of all 4 MTs to me, will need rigid internal stabilisation like plating IMO.

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Rob Loxley — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:53:01 GMT

I'm sure after some better radiographs a sensible way to fix may become apparent.

I do wonder how well the cat's welfare has been served by it going home with an unstable fracture to be likely manhandled to produce such a picture, and who needs a boot up the backside?!

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:44:04 GMT

Easy Get the drill out, pretend it's a tooth root abscess and leave the drill bit in, as has happened to a few friends by accident, that'll fix it Neil

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Virginia Campbell — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:12:34 GMT

I ain't no orthopod but I suspect

[quote user="Iain McAllister"] the best way to fix this[/quote]

does not involve

[quote user="Iain McAllister"] save a few quid[/quote]

so he better get used to the idea of shelling out some more of his hard earned (ahem) pennies ;-)

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

ChrisBVSc — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:06:50 GMT

[quote user="James Laidlaw"]Fractured metatarsals?

[/quote]

I agree! Hock luxated or fractured too?

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

James Laidlaw — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 21:52:10 GMT

Fractured metatarsals?

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

Mark Hedberg — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 21:19:30 GMT

I know i'm just being picky, but my old boss would have kicked my nuts into an extra set of tonsils for an x-ray like that - 'both ends of the bone, you 'b****er!!!'

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

james herriot lied — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 20:39:49 GMT

It's definitely a leg. Probably either the front or back ones. I'd bet money on right hand side.

I'm sure he'd only say good things about your dentistry

Re: Dentist takes x-ray of cat!!

John Flynn — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 20:32:54 GMT

I'm currently speculating as to the anatomy - please put me out of my misery and give me a clue!