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Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered x-rays just over 100 years ago, and the first published radiograph was an image of his wife’s hand. Within a few years, radiographs were being used in veterinary medicine. Diagnostic radiology is now an integral part of veterinary practice. Imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear medicine have expanded veterinary diagnostic capabilities and understanding of disease beyond Roentgen’s wildest imaginings. A proliferation of new technologies has transformed the field of veterinary radiology into the broader field of veterinary diagnostic imaging. The science (and art) of interpreting diagnostic images is the cornerstone of many diagnoses. Imaging tests have the advantage of being quick and noninvasive or minimally invasive. These technologies offer the ability to see inside the body and detect pathologic changes as well as evaluate organ function, which could otherwise be discovered only by surgery or necropsy. Imaging data complement and enhance the information obtained by clinical examination and other clinical tests. In veterinary medicine, the two most important imaging modalities are radiography and ultrasound. Used alone or in combination, they allow the examination of almost any organ or body part. In addition, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear medicine are now available at most veterinary schools and are increasingly common in referral practices. This handbook provides an overview of diagnostic imaging— predominantly radiology and ultrasonography—as it pertains to general small animal practice. Important principles and key abnormalities are outlined for each body part. Part I addresses the process of image interpretation. Part II describes the imaging of the musculoskeletal system. Part III explores the unique demands of imaging the thorax and the abdomen and includes a chapter on abdominal ultrasound. Part IV displays the imaging challenges of specific canine and feline cases along with their diagnostic outcomes.

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