What position should an animal be in to take a VD radiograph?

For a VD (ventrodorsal) radiograph, the appropriate position for an animal is on its back. This positioning allows for an even distribution of the body's weight and ensures that the organs are accurately aligned and can be properly visualized on the X-ray. In the VD position, the animal's thorax and abdomen lie flat on the table, which helps to prevent any overlapping of structures that could obscure diagnostic details in the radiograph.

When the animal is positioned correctly on its back, the anatomy of the thoracic and abdominal cavities can be clearly distinguished, providing vital information for diagnosis. This position is particularly useful for evaluating conditions affecting multiple organ systems, such as abdominal masses or thoracic abnormalities. Proper positioning also minimizes potential motion blur, further enhancing image quality.

In contrast, other positions like lying on the side or stomach can limit visibility of certain structures or lead to overlapping shadows on the film, which decreases the effectiveness of the radiographic assessment.