Diagnostic imaging of the respiratory system in exotic companion mammals.

The level of care for smaller companion mammals has increased significantly during the past few years. Today, exotic companion mammals are acknowledged as a specific area of zoologic medicine. Owner demands for a higher level of care is increasing dramatically. Because most of these patients are small (less than 2 kg), this represents a great challenge, in particular for the field of diagnostic imaging. This article reviews the 5 main diagnostic imaging modalities currently available for investigation of the respiratory system of exotic companion mammals: radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance.