Radiographic evidence of pulmonary dysfunction in anaesthetised cattle.

The effects of fasting, sedation, recumbency and general anaesthesia on the radiographic appearance of the thoracic cavity of adult cattle were investigated. Fasting and sedation had little effect on the visible lung field but recumbency and general anaesthesia were followed by a reduction in lung field area. The reduction in area appeared to be greatest in the more dependent parts of the lung and was associated with the development of a persistent radiographic opacity. The changes were similar to those previously observed in horses.