SVEK13043U Veterinary Imaging

Volume 2025/2026
Education

MSc Programme in Veterinary Medicine - compulsory

Content

In addition to the interpretation of diagnostic images, this course includes radiation safety and biology. This includes X-rays and their effects on biological tissues, dose limits, and important radiation safety measures.

Topographic anatomy is also part of the course, emphasizing the head, neck, thoracic and pelvic limbs, thorax, and abdomen, particularly in dogs, cats, and horses.

The basics of conventional radiographic imaging, including X-ray production, image acquisition and quality factors, positioning, and terminology are introduced.

The course also introduces theoretical and practical ultrasonography, including physical principles, echogenicity, frequency, and machine settings in clinical ultrasound. Image acquisition and interpretation are also part of the course.

Lastly, cross-sectional imaging techniques are introduced, and their physical principles and clinical applications are explained.

Learning Outcome

After completion of this course, the student is expected to: 

Knowledge

  • Account for the risks associated with the radiographic practice, and relate them to commonly encountered, non-radiological risks.
  • Deliberate clinically relevant differences between different imaging modalities.
  • Discuss patient positioning, beam collimation, and centering in standard radiographic examinations.
  • Identify and name normal anatomical structures in diagnostic images, produced by different imaging modalities, in feline, canine, and equine patients.
  • Describe the roentgen signs of anatomical or non-anatomical structures that deviate from normal in radiographs.
  • Recognize images produced by radiography, ultrasound, CT, and MRI.
  • Identify and discuss relevant focus points that can increase sustainability in imaging practice.


Skills

  • Debate the risks associated with radiographic practice and relate them to commonly encountered, non-radiological risks.
  • Select the most suitable imaging modality or modalities in response to selected clinical scenarios.
  • Position equine patients correctly for standard radiographic projections of the distal limbs.
  • Position feline and canine patients correctly for standard radiographic projections of the thorax, abdomen, and appendicular skeleton.
  • Perform standard radiographic examinations of veterinary patients in a safe manner.
  • Master a methodical approach to image evaluation of radiographs and ultrasound images.
  • Describe relevant findings by using the roentgen signs and correct terminology, in images from various imaging modalities.
  • Diagnose diseases that are commonly encountered in in feline, canine, and equine patients, based on typical radiographic changes.

 

Competencies

  • Identify and convey behavior by the current legislation on radiation safety.
  • Use basic imaging equipment and carry out a radiographic examination. effectively as appropriate to the case, by good health and safety practices and national regulations.
  • Choose, plan, and perform a basic canine or feline abdominal ultrasound study in relevant clinical situations, and decide when to refer the patient for more extensive examinations if needed.
  • Recognize and find the liver, spleen, kidneys, urinary bladder, and gastrointestinal tract in ultrasound examinations.
  • Master appropriate digital software for digital imaging.
  • Speculate on and discuss the imaging changes that are expected to occur given various disease scenarios.
  • Interpret normal and abnormal findings in radiographic images of veterinary patients.
  • Compose imaging records that describe the imaging findings and a prioritized list of imaging diagnoses for commonly encountered diseases in feline, canine, and equine patients.
  • Adjust the language and terminology appropriately when communicating with clients, the public, professional colleagues, and responsible authorities, using appropriate terminology for the audience concerned and with full respect for confidentiality and privacy.
Literature

Thrall, Donald E., and William R. Widmer. Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology. Seventh edition., Saunders, 2018.

Mattoon, John S., and Thomas G. Nyland. Small Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound. Elsevier, 2014.

Penninck, Dominique, and Marc-André d’Anjou, editors. Atlas of Small Animal Ultrasonography. Illustrated by Beth Mellor and Marc-André d’Anjou, Second edition., John Wiley & Sons Incorporated, 2015.

Lecture notes and compendia presented on Absalon.

Danish national legislation:

  • Lov om ioniserende stråling og strålebeskyttelse (strålebeskyttelsesloven) 
  • Bekendtgørelse nr 669 af 01/​07/​2019, Bekendtgørelse om ioniserende stråling og strålebeskyttelse 
  • Bekendtgørelse nr 670 af 01/​07/​2019, Bekendtgørelse om brug af radioaktive stoffer 
  • Bekendtgørelse  nr 671 af 01/​07/​2019 Bekendtgørelse om brug af strålingsgeneratorer 
  • Vejledning om røntgenoptagelser af dyr - 2023
Approvec course certificate of course Medicin, kirurgi og reproduktion - mindre husdyr and SVEK13005U Medicin, kirurgi og reproduktion - store husdyr SVEK13004U.
The course runs over 7 weeks. During week 1, all students participate simultaneously. Hereafter, the students are split into two groups. One group follows Veterinary Imaging in weeks 2 to 4. The other group follows Veterinary Imaging in weeks 5 to 9.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 14
  • Class Instruction
  • 24
  • Preparation
  • 112,25
  • Theory exercises
  • 5
  • Practical exercises
  • 23
  • E-Learning
  • 26
  • Exam
  • 2
  • Total
  • 206,25
Oral
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Practical oral examination, 15 minutes
Written assignment
On-site written exam, 1 hour under invigilation
Type of assessment details
Practical exam, 15 minutes under invigilation
Hand in assignments
On-site written exam, 1 hour under invigilation at the department
Exam registration requirements

The following requirements must be met to pass the course. These requirements are:

A minimum attendance of 80% in each course Module: 
1. Introweek
2. Theoretical exercises
3. Practical exercises
4. Case-based teaching

Hand in written assignments during the case-based course module

Pass an on-site practical test in small animal radiography

Pass an on-site written multiple-choice test at the end of the course

 

 

Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

Practical test in companion animal radiography: No Aids

Hand in assignments as preparation for case-based teaching: All aids allowed

Theoretical test by the end of the course: No Aids

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
No censorship. One examiner.
Re-exam

Som ordinær.

Criteria for exam assesment

To pass this course, students must be able to:

Knowledge

  • Account for the risks associated with the radiographic practice, and relate them to commonly encountered, non-radiological risks.
  • Deliberate clinically relevant differences between different imaging modalities.
  • Identify and name normal anatomical structures in diagnostic images, produced by different imaging modalities, with emphasis on feline, canine, and equine patients.
  • Recognize images produced by radiography, ultrasound, CT, and MRI.


Skills

  • Select the most suitable imaging modality or modalities in response to selected clinical scenarios.
  • Produce standard radiographic projections of veterinary patients in a safe manner.
  • Demonstrate correct positioning of feline and canine patients for standard radiographic projections of the thorax, abdomen, and appendicular skeleton.
  • Master a methodical approach to image evaluation of radiographs and ultrasound images.
  • Describe relevant radiographic findings by using the roentgen signs and correct terminology, in images from various imaging modalities.
  • Diagnose diseases that are commonly encountered in in feline, canine, and equine patients, based on typical radiographic changes.

 

Competencies

  • Identify and convey behavior by the current legislation on radiation safety.
  • Carry out a standard radiographic examination by good health and safety practices and national regulations.
  • Interpret normal and abnormal findings in radiographic images of veterinary patients.